"Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time"

“Whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.”

—Alma 36:3

As I look back on the past several years, words that pop into my mind are: trials, challenges, endurance, loss, humility, and gratitude.  I'm sure as you read that group of words, you wonder how the word gratitude fits in.  

In the past eight years, I've experienced loss in a personal way.  My dear mother-in-law, Enid Noreen Wheeler passed away unexpectedly.  I was not prepared to lose her, and I'm still sad to this day that I was unable to say goodbye one last time while she was in a conscious state.  However, I will never forget the moment when my children knelt by her bed to hug her and a tear rolled down her face.  I knew that she knew we were there.  Gratitude.  That is what came to mind in that moment.

When my maternal grandmother, Helen Money Bird left this life--it was expected.  We knew her time was coming, but I was still unprepared for the way I would feel when her physical body died.  I rushed to her bedside and held her hand while waiting for her body to be taken away.  A flood of memories flashed through my mind.  She was such an example for good, and I knew that physical death could not take away those memories.  Gratitude.  That is what came to my mind in that moment.

Years ago, when the economic crisis hit the United States--my husband and I knew that our business would be under fire.  We had ventured out on our own less than a handful of years before the crisis.  We knew that we were too small to withstand the shock of banks that weren't giving out loans.  We knew that owning a commercial construction company during this crisis was going to be the beginning of great challenges.  A few of our clients were using banks that went out of business during the building process and we were left with the expense.  It has been nearly 7 years since the beginning of that trial, but several blessings and a miracle or two made a difference.  Gratitude.  That is what I have felt several times over the years.

I often say that our family is enduring the journey, rather than the more familiar quote of "enjoying the journey".  But, I know that He is there.  I am grateful for the moments when I feel him close.  I know that we are not alone in our trials.  I do know this.  At times, my human weakness makes me not want to believe that, but then I'm quickly reminded to believe Him and in Him. 

When Elder Quentin L. Cook mentioned the time his young son exclaimed to his wife, "Hope you know, we had a hard time"--I understood how he felt.  

I am different today than I was eight years ago.  I'm more humble.  I notice others needs more and I understand how people feel that are suffering.  However, I've never felt more grateful in my entire life.  I have wonderful family, loving children and a husband that leads us righteously. 

By Kristie Wheeler

Pure Religion

Pure Religion

We learn in the New Testament, Epistle of James, Chapter 1 and verse 27, “Pure Religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world”.
During the April 2011 LDS General Conference, H. David Burton shared the following:
“Since the foundation of the world, the cloth of righteous societies has ever been woven from the golden threads of charity. We yearn for a peaceful world and for prosperous communities. We pray for kind and virtuous societies where wickedness is forsaken and goodness and right prevail. No matter how many temples we build, no matter how large our membership grows, no matter how positively we are perceived in the eyes of the world - should we fail in this great core commandment to "succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees,” or turn our hearts from those who suffer and mourn, we are under condemnation and cannot please The Lord and jubilant hope of our hearts will ever be distant.“
Let’s practice some form of Pure Religion today by following the example of the Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, by reaching out to someone around us. It doesn’t have to be a major project. It could simply be making a loaf of bread for someone or sharing a plate of cookies or anonymously paying for someone’s gas. There are so many small ways to brighten someone’s day. Starting today, pray for an opportunity to help someone. The Lord will place that opportunity in our path if we are watchful & sincere.

Mark Wheeler