favorites

I think there is some unwritten rule somewhere that you aren't supposed to have favorites. You know; children, brothers, sisters, pets...people and things that you have relationships with. On the contrary, you are allowed to have a favorite flavor of ice cream, or candy, or movie...things that can't get their feelings hurt. I'm thinking this unwritten rule has something to do with making sure everyone feels good about themselves and loved, right?

Well, yesterday, I was sitting in the doctor's office (time for my yearly mam-mo-CRAM - this one is worthy of it's own post) and I had brought along an article that my son had sent to me, as my reading material. It was a fireside address that Elder Holland had given the students at the Institute in Salt Lake City on September 23, 2007. Tod commented on a post-it note that it had been edited a little from the version Elder Holland gave, but that it was still inspiring to him. I was grateful that he wanted to share it with me, probably because Elder Holland is a "favorite" of both of ours. I was anxious to read it, because I can honestly say, I don't ever hear Elder Holland speak, or read something that he has written without being moved. I mean, I usually can remember what he said, and how I felt when I heard it..I feel like I can easily connect with him, and understand what is being said, and have a desire to be different because of what was said. Anyway, I wasn't let down yesterday either, as I read amongst the commotion of Steinberg Diagnostics.

I loved many things he said:
1- about the day we live in, and trying not to be afraid or worried
2- about living the gospel, and standing as a beacon, and being the light that God called us to be
3- about studying hard, but about giving something back at a time in life when you are doing a lot of getting
4- about being a witness and about bearing witness...in this part he got me very fired up!

He said, "I pray that you will live this gospel, that you will love it, that it will mean something to you, from your youth onward. I want you to be righteous in the dark and in the morning and in the afternoon, and yesterday and tomorrow. I don't have time to develop all of the ways you can bear witness, all the ways you can be men and women of Christ. I'm just asking you to stand firm and faithful, to pour concrete right down the center of your spine. Square your shoulders and face the world and say 'I don't know who's on my left, and I don't know who's on my right, but I know I am here! Count me in!'"

I could keep quoting him because his words reached deep down into my soul and they made me determined to be steadfast and immovable!

So as I was waiting for the mammography tech to come back, I was wishing I could share what I have with her, and make her life better. Instead of saying anything important, I chickened out and just tried to be a light, a beacon of the truth. I know it isn't enough, I am still working on being the missionary I know I can be.

Back to "favorites". As I thought about writing this post, I struggled with the idea of calling Elder Holland my "favorite". As I thought about it, and to be really truthful, I have a favorite experience or feeling or memory about each of the fifteen men we sustain as prophets, seers and revelators. (actually I don't know Elder Christofferson that well yet.) I truly love each one of them. Having said that, Elder Holland is one of my "favorites"! I don't think I will ever see him or hear him that I won't be thinking of Tod, and knowing he would be loving every word, just like me. Therefore, pictures of the two of them together.























In closing:
1- I don't have any "favorite" children! For now, I have a favorite grand daughter :)!
2- Do your monthly self breast checks! (I mean it!)
3- Notice the yellow blossoms in the pool...I know these are definitely NOT one of Jon's "favorite" things!