Through His Grace

One morning many years ago the morning came as it always did

Birds were chirping

The sun was shining

Flowers were all in bloom

But on this particular morning something was different

In a quiet and lowly garden, a stone had been rolled away

The old garden tomb that had been covered the night before was now open

The man who had been placed inside the tomb was gone

He was risen

And because he rose, I too will RISE

Because he rose, you will also RISE

The difference of that morning was one that changed the course of humanity FOREVER

Death was conquered

Man was made free

HE WAS RISEN

And

HE STILL LIVES

My heart is back in Georgia today

Its crazy to me how the spirit will often bring to my mind memories of lessons I learned as a missionary

God knows us, ok :)

Today I was reminded of an experience I had about a year ago around the holidays.

I was serving in an area where most of our work was concentrated in one particular trailer park. We came to know everyone there and had some pretty amazing spiritual experiences in that area. One night, my companions and I were teaching a lady in the tiny front yard of her trailer. We were all in camp chairs, she had a trash fire burning in the middle of the circle to keep us warm, all the trailers had Christmas lights, we could hear people singing spanish Christmas songs, and we were blessed with a beautiful sunset that evening.

As we sat there and taught about the Restoration of the Gospel, the spirit was sooo strong...but at that moment, the Lord was actually teaching me. As I looked around, I saw people who I knew. People who's stories of survival and hopes for a better life I was well aware of. And there they were...SO HAPPY

These people were in a foreign country (many of them their first holiday season away from their own country), they were trying desperately to learn English, they worked sun up to sun down everyday hoping that one day those long hours would pay off.
However, despite their circumstances, they were some of the HAPPIEST people I've ever known.

President Nelson has said, "The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives"

I learned that lesson sitting in a humble trailer park, preparing to spend my first Christmas ever away from my own family. However, that circumstance didn't hinder my joy, because I was focused on sharing the Light of Jesus Christ.

If y'all are feeling like you're in a time where your joy is being hindered due to a circumstance, shift your focus to the one who brings eternal joy

Our Savior Jesus Christ is the source of everlasting joy and happiness.