It's all too familiar to us.. we hear of a story either on the news, from a friend we talk to during the week, or these days even through facebook-a story that makes us take a step back and really appreciate where we are in life. One that makes all our troubles, worries, or concerns seem so small and almost silly for even occupying our time. For me-it wasn't so much a story, but rather a picture.
At work we receive the Wall Street Journal each morning. Each day's copy is placed on the coffee table for guests to read as they wait in the lobby. It's become a habit of mine to stop by periodically and see what's on the front page, to see what events are taking place around the country or world.
Yesterday, this photo was on the front page:
Apparently there's a volcano in Indonesia that has been inactive for 400 years, that's now erupting-forcing people to evacuate. I saw this picture and couldn't help but picture my family and I sitting on that moped covered in ash, clinging onto what little of our belongings we could take with us as we fled from our home.
I stood there in the lobby for a minute staring at this picture, sympathizing with this father doing all he could to make sure his family remained together, and safe. I was sad for them, yet so very grateful for my family, our health, and our safety.
We have been so blessed, and I don't just mean my family, but all of our family and friends. Many of you reading this are LDS, just as we are. We have been blessed with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. With a living prophet who communicates with our Heavenly Father, and who leads and guides us with love. We've been blessed with the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost-to protect us from danger, teach us the truth, and widen our understanding of things pertaining to the Gospel. We've been blessed with the scriptures to help us learn and grow spiritually, and that relate to us. We've been blessed with a Savior, one who knows each of us, understands us, and loves each of us. I am so grateful for this knowledge. I am grateful to be married-and sealed-to a wonderful woman that I love. Grateful to have three adorable children who make me so very happy. Especially grateful to know that even if an erupting volcano were to come between us here on earth, in heaven we'd still be together... Forever.
3 comments:
Amen.
The story is so sad...but your testimony is so sweet. We definitely have the knowledge that we have that the gospel is true and that at the end of this life it is not the end.
Thank you for writing this.
~Lena
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