What is taking so long?

I love the feeling of a job well done after a hard days work.  I recently felt this when I helped dig out a tree stump about a week ago.

The stump must have been two and a half feet in diameter.  The roots were deep, and the more we dug, the more could see more root.  I seemed like that stump was never going to come out.

After a while we noticed that one reason the once strong foundation was so immovable was because the ground was frozen.  I thought that after ten or fifteen hits with a 8 pound hammer, the frozen earth might break loose.  This gave us some relief, but the job was still incomplete.

Soon talk of leaving the project came into play while one of us took turns whacking away any soil that we could.  Every attempt yielded only little dirt removal.  After all, we had worked on the task for more than 3 hours, and we were loosing daylight.  What could been done?

In the last minutes available the stump broke away from the ground's grip and our goal was fulfilled!!

I remember the sense of accomplishment as we drove home that night, knowing we had done all we could to get that stubborn stump out of the ground.

From that lesson, I learned to never give up on your goals.  It took patience, hard work, and diligence.  The blessing of having the stump out of the ground didn't come immediately.  It took effort.  It took time we didn't want to give. 

When I think of that experience, I see how the Gospel of Jesus Christ is much like this stump removal.  Many times in my life, I wanted to give in, feeling somewhat embarressed for my unseen accomplishment.   In the agony, there were moments that it seemed my situation would never get better.  After a while I discovered something; that is our Heavenly Father ALWAYS reaches out to us when we reach out to Him.  Our desired blessings don't come immediately or not at all when it isn't His will.  He will however, help us in a time when we will learn the most from our experience, and at a time it will bless us the most.  I have waited for years for some things, and seconds for others.  Reguardless of time, Heavenly Father's help always comes. 

This movie is similar to my own experience  I feel it is appropriate.

Can you see God's hand in your life?

A Mother Indeed

Mothers are incredible.  They carry us for 9 months, bring us into the world, and nurture us throughout our early development.  The more I watch my Mom, the more I appreciate her.  The older I get the wiser she is. 

I have always known my Mom was special.  Every day she would be there when I got home, and prepare my brother and I our after school snack of choice, a bowl of  Albertson's Peanut Butter Cup ice-cream. 

Shortly there after, she made sure I got started on my homework early.  I may not have fully recognized it then, but her persistence was helped me develop a habit of work that I have carried throughout my life. 

Her work didn't stop there.  She was always there.  Always.  I can't quite explain it.  She always knew when I needed help and was there to help me with what I needed, even if she was doing something for herself.  I'm sure she would have loved to give her feet a rest, but my Mom took the higher route. 

She gave, and continues to give her life to me, my Dad, and my four brothers and one sister.  When we leave the house, that doesn't stop my Mother's reach.  She is always telling me how the rest of the family is doing, while I am here in Montana serving a Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  I know she is giving her time, and attention to my family in Nevada.  Many times even before I left she would baby sit for my married siblings, so they and their spouse could enjoy a date night together. 

If there is a job to be done, my Mom doesn't hesitate.  She is involved in all the lives of those around her. 
She volunteers to help with anyone's needs.  I can remember her preparing meals for families in our area who were going through a hard time.  I remember her volunteering time in my elementary school classes.  I remember, countless ways to bless not my life, but everyone she sees.

I suppose what I am trying to say is, I love you Mom.  You are so special.  Nothing with ever replace you in my heart.  I know you will always be my Mom.  Enjoy Mother's Day, and remember you have a son in Montana who things the world of you!!! 

mark.lewis@myldsmail.net