For Such A Time As This

..."who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"    *Esther 4:14

I love the story of Esther in the scriptures. It is one of my favorites. All of us have challenges that we face in our lives. But we were also well prepared before we came to this earth for those challenges. We have the power in us to work miracles. Each of us have been born "for such a time as this".

In the words of Mary Ellen Smoot:

"In the Old Testament we read about Esther and Mordecai, who worked for King Ahasuerus. Mordecai took in Esther as his own daughter after her parents passed away. He brought her to the palace. Esther pleased the king, and he made her his queen (see Esth. 2:17).

Meanwhile, Haman, a leader in the king’s court, became angry with Mordecai because he would not pay obeisance to Haman. Therefore, Haman plotted to destroy Mordecai and all the Jews.

Realizing the grave danger which loomed over his people, Mordecai pled with Esther to seek help from the king: “For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esth. 4:14).

Consider Esther’s dilemma: It was against the law to approach the king without being summoned. Such an act was punishable by death. If she were to remain quiet, she would likely enjoy a life of luxury and ease. She could live the life of a queen or risk her life to save her family and her people. She counted the cost and chose to heed the longings of her people and of her heart.

She asked Mordecai to gather all the Jews in Shushan and fast three days for her, and she and her handmaids would do the same. Then she said, “I [will] go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish” (Esth. 4:16).

Spiritually prepared, Esther approached the king. She was received by him, and she invited the king and Haman to a feast she had arranged. During the feast, Haman’s plot was unveiled, and Mordecai received great honors. Esther, born for such a time, had saved a nation.

Everywhere I have traveled, whether it was Finland; Idaho; Brazil; Washington, D.C.; or Russia, I have witnessed the gospel of Jesus Christ in action and the radiant light of the gospel in the countenances of courageous and faithful sisters. The Spirit has borne witness to me that we each have been born “for such a time as this” (Esth. 4:14).   Joseph Smith stated, “If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates.” ^{2  History of the Church 4:605.}

When you think of the billions of people born throughout the history of the world, have you ever wondered why you were born at this particular time? Despite the great challenges we individually and collectively face today, I’m sure you will agree, this is a wonderful time to be alive. In the context of world history, there has never been a more exciting time to sojourn on earth. Do you suppose that you were chosen to be born for such a time as this? Sisters, like Esther, we must prepare for our time because our time has come. We must possess the spiritual strength to overcome our challenges, laying our faults on the altar and giving our lives to the Lord."

 

When all is said and done, our time has come.

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-03-084-when-all-is-said-and-done?lang=eng

The Incredibles

As written by my sister Shari.....

On June 5, 2008, my fifty-two year old brother-in-law Kim died of brain cancer. My family gathered around my sister and her six children, and for a few days we reminisced, laughed, cried, strengthened, and supported. One of the movies we played trying to keep the kids entertained during those long days was The Incredibles. The movie played over and over. Words like "heroics" and "superhero" echoed relentlessly in the background as we prepared for the funeral. Later, as my family stood in a circle around Kim's grave at the Salt Lake City Cemetery, I looked around at each of my five sisters, and those movie words began spinning through my mind. Standing there inside that circle, I realized that I belong to a family of "incredibles."

I don't mean that in a bragging sort of way. My sisters are just ordinary women. They are all stay-at-home moms who are as busy and harried as the next woman with mini-vans and suburbans stuffed full of kids and kids' friends. None of them has ever run a company, made much money, or served in a position of unusual notice. But as I looked at each of them that day in our family circle, I saw them for who they really are and what they really do.

Standing straight across from me was my just-older sister CarolLynn, now left alone, a young widow at 49. I had watched her for the past ten months as she played nurse, taking meticulous and loving care of her failing husband. She dealt with countless doctors, tests, treatments, disappointments, and fleeting hopes. I saw her stand in the face of despair with defiance and faith. Sure, she had bad days (and she still does), but she showed me a side of herself I did not know she had. Her strength, courage, and faith as she faces a cloudy, unsure future make her "incredible."

Next to CarolLynn stood Heidi, my sweet sister who loves children but could never have as many as she wanted. To fill that void, she cheerfully mentors and watches other women's children and volunteers at the local schools, but somehow it's just not the same as having a house full of your own children. Heidi will drop whatever she's doing at any time to answer someone's call for help. She took over much of CarolLynn's insurance and medical bill mess during and after Kim's illness. The wife of a busy bishop, Heidi serves behind the scenes waiting patiently and uncomplainingly in the wings. She's the one who meets needs of those who don't yet know they have a need. She's "incredible."

Right next to Heidi was my beautiful sister Robyn, trend-setter and life of the party. "Bun" is the aunt who plans movies and sleep-overs as well as weekly snowboarding trips for any interested nieces and nephews. She keeps all the sisters updated on the latest styles and accessories and tries (sometimes even successfully!) to help us avoid the dreaded middle-aged "frumpiness." Robyn and her husband work hard and are blessed with a bit of wealth (at least compared to the rest of us). In spite of that (or maybe because of that) they spend most of their time and money on others. Robyn has been known to leave sewing machines, groceries, holiday decorations, clothes, and other necessities (and luxuries) on unsuspecting but desperate doorsteps. Her unconditional acceptance and love for any human being make her "incredible."

To Robyn's left, juggling one child on her left hip and calming one with her right hand, stood my youngest sister Jenny, wife of a driven doctor who wasn't able to make it to the funeral. Par for the course, Jen stood alone with her children. Much of her married life has been spent that way because of Jason's busy school, intern, and doctor schedule. Jen's been a great strength to many other women she met as she moved from San Francisco to Connecticut to Florida to Montana. She travels by herself many times with her four kids in tow, and cares meticulously and tirelessly for her active and bright children. I look at Jen's solitary strength and determination, and I know what makes her "incredible."

True to form, Becky stood next to Jen offering her famous quiet aide and support. Becky, our compassionate caregiver, never thinks of her own wants and needs and always serves in humble and simple ways. A few years ago, Becky gave up a darling home of her own to move into her widowed father-in-law's home. She and her children now lovingly care for Grandpa Ed who suffers from Alzheimer's. Becky has become Grandpa Ed's champion--fiercely defending, protecting, loving, and caring for him without complaint. Becky is the one sister who acted as the true bulwark for CarolLynn while Kim battled cancer. At random times, Becky would show up on CarolLynn's doorstep with a Coke and some Dunford donuts, and during Kim's battle with cancer, Becky took CarolLynn and her family dinner every Thursday night in spite of her own busy schedule with four involved kids, a husband in the bishopric, and sweet Grandpa Ed. In fact, even though Kim's been gone for a while now, Becky still takes dinner in every Thursday. In my book, Becky is definitely "incredible."

Others scattered and hovered around my circle of sisters that day--my mom and dad, my two brothers and their wives, many friends, and a few nieces and nephews. Each of them also has a story, but at that particular moment in time, I saw only my incredible sisters leading incredible lives and doing incredible things. I was proud to be a part of that circle that day, and even though the circumstances that brought us together were burdensome and sorrowful, I will always cherish the one glimpse I had into the incredible lives of my dear sisters.

Together we can!

"The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity."  -Margaret D. Nadauld


I have been so very blessed to have wonderful women in my life! I have an amazing mother, five beautiful and talented sisters, and four precious daughters. I have also been blessed with a mother-in-law of great faith, several sisters-in-law, and two daughters-in-law. I honestly don't know where I would be without these amazing ladies. They are my very best friends and they have seen me through some really tough times. They have buoyed me up and even carried me at times when my courage and strength have failed me. They keep me laughing every day.

On my 50th birthday, my first since losing my husband Kim, my sisters planned a fun trip to St. George to celebrate. We talked all night, laughed, cried, walked, and ate way too much! We started calling ourselves "THE SISTERHOOD". We often get together for Tuesday lunches and an occasional trip back to St. George. How very grateful I am to be part of such a wonderful "sisterhood". These women have supported me throughout the joyous times in my life and also during the times when my heartache and sorrow have overwhelmed me. They have been such a great comfort and blessing to me, especially over the last five years.

The other day, my sister Becky was doing my hair, which usually ends up being more of a therapy session. We talked about some of the challenges that we both are going through right now. As I got ready to leave, I mentioned that I don't know how I would get through my life without my sisters. Becky said something that really struck me. She said, "We will help each other get through this life. Together we can do this". So today, I am so very grateful for amazing women who bless my life and help me to find hope. Heavenly Father knew that I needed these angels in my life. TOGETHER WE CAN!!!

Consider the Lilies.....

"Consider the lilies of the field how they grow;...if God so clothe the grass of the field,...even so will he clothe you, if ye are not of little faith. Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself."    3 Nephi 13:28-34

 

This became one of my very favorite scriptures in the months after I lost my husband. As he was diagnosed with terminal cancer, my world was turned upside down. The life that I thought we would continue to have together was gone. My fears and worries became almost unbearable. I remember one day sitting out on the back porch in the early spring of 2008, realizing that we weren't going to get the miracle. Kim's health was declining rapidly. I had just had a conversation with his nurse practioner. I asked her how long we were looking at. She replied, "Are you ready for that conversation?" I think I finally was. It had taken me eight long months to get there. She told me, maybe six months if we continued treatments. It ended up being less than three. I sat there wondering how I could possibly keep the house, pay the mounting hospital bills, and provide for my family. If there was one moment of complete despair in my life, this was it. I was only 48 years old. I was losing my best friend, the love of my life. My children were losing their beloved father. My entire world felt like it had shattered. Everything that I thought my life would be was gone.

As I was sitting there, in my beautiful garden that Kim and I both loved, I felt more alone than I had ever felt before in my entire life. A well-meaning relative had advised me to go back to school so I would be prepared for the eventuality of Kim's death. At this point, I was taking Kim up to the Huntsman Cancer Institute daily. He needed constant care. I still had four children living at home. I had 30 piano students. I was serving as the Stake Young Women President. Where would I find the time, the money, the energy? At that moment, one of the lowest in my life, my sweet sister-in-law, Lisa, called to see how I was doing. I know that Heavenly Father inspired her to call me. I told her about my fears and worries for the future. I told her I just didn't think that I could do more than just get through one day at a time. She gave me the wisest council and advice that I think I have ever gotten. She told me that I was doing enough, that Heavenly Father would not let me down. She told me that miracles happen, just when you don't see how things can possibly work out, He provides a way. I knew that she knew from experience what she was talking about. She lost her own husband to multiple sclerosis at an even younger age. She also told me that if Heavenly Father wanted me to go back to school or start looking for a job, He would put those thoughts and feelings into my heart. She said EXACTLY what I needed to hear that day, and it brought great peace to my heart.....and it still does.

I have often thought about what I would say to someone close to me in a similar situation. I would give them a big hug and tell them that everything will be OK. We will help you figure it out. You are not alone.

Looking back on that day of complete despair, Heavenly Father has blessed me so much more than I could have even imagined at the time. Even though we lost our husband and father, we have also received many miracles and tender mercies along the way. Life has certainly not been easy! I have had many days of loneliness and sorrow. But, I have learned to have greater faith. I have learned that if I do all that I can, the Lord will make up the difference. He will provide a way. Consider the lilies.....



You Will Fly Again

"I wish to speak particularly to you who feel your lives are broken, seemingly beyond repair. To all such I offer the surest and sweetest remedy that I know. It is found in the clarion call the Savior of the world Himself gave.....'come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' " (Matthew 11:28).  -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland


I want to share a post from Brave Girls Club that I found about three years ago when I was really struggling. I was feeling like a broken little bird sitting under a tree and wondering how I would ever fly again. I had a broken heart, a broken spirit, and broken wings. This beautiful message spoke to my soul. YOU WILL FLY AGAIN.         http://bravegirlsclub.com/archives/7061

The Road Less Traveled

I am a survivor! I lost my husband to brain cancer on June 5, 2008. The years since then have been full of sorrow and heartache, but I have also experienced many miracles and tender mercies along the way. The day I lost my husband, I also lost myself. I lost the life that I knew and the life that I thought we would always have together. My path seems so confusing and there are times that I feel so lost. I long for the steady, predictable path, that doesn't stray from my expectations. A path that feels safe. Instead, I have taken one less traveled by.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost
 

 

I am learning to have faith. Faith in myself and greater faith in my Heavenly Father. In the words of President Thomas S. Monson, "I believe that no concern of ours is too small or insignificant. The Lord is in the details of our lives." I know this to be true, for I have experienced it. I am learning to be brave. I am learning to fly again.