On An Adventure of Hope

Sometimes I'm blessed with the chance to learn more about certain people, given the opportunity to know a piece of their infinitely complicated life-puzzle, or shown a part of their soul that explains why they do the things they do and feel the things they feel. In those moments, I am in awe. Humans are incredible. Each person is incredible and wonderful. Being able to look and a person and see them is one of the most amazing experiences I've been able to have. John Steinbeck voiced my thoughts exactly when he said, “I wonder how many people I've looked at all my life and never seen.” Usually, seeing these things--these quiet ways of doing, these words spoken softly, these looks that speak volumes, these small gestures toward their fellow being--makes my heart swell. Getting to see the people around me fills me with a love for them that I could not otherwise have. When we are given the opportunity to see someone and know a part of them, we should value it. We...

Happy July, everyone! Lately, I've had the opportunity to struggle with some things that have tested my patience to seemingly no end. I think of myself as a generally very patient person and cannot imagine why I would need more. However, the fact that I'm struggling with it just shows me that I do. Heh :) I'm gradually learning that I'm being prepared.  Because, often, the Lord has a plan in the works that we cannot fathom at this time, a plan designed to help us reach our full potential as sons and daughters of a Heavenly King. To demonstrate this, think of baby things... When a baby otter (cuteness!) grows up, it becomes an adult otter; when a human baby grows up, it becomes an adult person; when we, as spirit children, grow up, we will become like our Heavenly parents--gods and goddesses. For us to reach that high point, the Lord allows us to have experiences that will mold us into what and who we can eventually become. This is truth. And I...