Paradise Found

I would have posted these earlier, but last week my appendix decided it was through being my appendix.  After a week of recovery and lots of nice people helping with the kids, I'm feeling great and ready to jump back into life.
These pictures are from our spring break in Idaho with David's parents.  It was a much-needed break.  Our ward split last month and David was put in the new bishopric.  Faced with the task of building the entire organization from the ground up, they had been spending hours and hours and hours and hours in meetings and extending callings.  We had a great week in Idaho and got all relaxed and de-stressed.

We went snowshoeing on Schweitzer mountain.  What a beautiful view!

People in Utah who complain about six inches of snow have no idea. 

David's mom and I decided not to try keeping up with the men.  We set our own pace.

 Grandpa and David took the kids on a hike.  Christian took a nap in the backpack.

Nathan helped with the burn pile.  He couldn't resist walking through the wet ashes.

We Are Never Alone

In Sunday School a few weeks ago, we were studying the story of Jesus walking on the water.  The teacher emphasized that the disciples had been struggling through the storm all night long before the Savior came to them.  She said that Jesus often lets us struggle alone for awhile before He comes to our aid.

Yes, He lets us struggle, but I don't think our Savior ever leaves us alone.  There have been times when I have felt alone as I struggled through some difficulty.  But even then, I can look back later and see evidence of His hand supporting me through some of the darkest times.  

This truth was movingly taught by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland in his powerful address:  "None Were With Him", given in April 2009.  The entire talk is well worth reading, but I especially want to share this paragraph:

"Brothers and sisters, one of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said: “I will not leave you comfortless: [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you].” ²⁰

We do not have to struggle through our lives alone.  Christ is right there to take our hand.  We are human and so easily forget what Jesus Christ did for us.  I am glad we have holidays like Easter to remind us.