Like our beloved pioneer ancestors we also need the faith and courage to WALK ON -- when trials seem unbearable, when our hearts hurt, when we don't know what path to take or when we have to deal with someone who is unkind. We WALK ON with faith in every footstep. I felt like I was walking alone on Thanksgiving Day. The loneliness was almost unbearable to me, so I turned to gratitude and made cookies and brownies for some of our Karen families here in Omaha. And got my salad ready for the Thanksgiving Dinner at the Trail Center. I won't record the feelings of my heart that day. But my heart was aching pretty bad and all I needed was some calls, someone reminding that they was thinking of their family missionary. But I didn't call either, so there are no blames here. I retreated early to the Trail Center and walked back to the Memorial Room which overlooks the beautiful Winter Quarters Temple. It was my place of refuge that night. I instantly felt my angel ancestors who seemed to understand -- who knew of pains of loneliness and pains of some of them walking on with no one by their side. I felt their pains as they had to walk on, leaving their loved ones buried in shallow graves. Some of them walking on alone as they were now a widow or widower. Some who had to walk on with family members who refused to leave their homes and go west. I felt their pains of loneliness of leaving behind their beautiful homes and how their missed what they left behind and only having a covered wagon or handcart to retreat to. I instantly felt my Savior's love -- he was by my side, he walked by their sides and angels are on my right side and on my left side and it was an instant comfort to my heart. His promise of personal peace came to me and I was reminded of the scripture that says "peace I leave with you, peace I give to you! He calmed my heart and gave rest unto my soul. Only the Savior can give that peace and rest to us. AND it is only through following the Savior and being obedient to his will. I reflected upon the things I was grateful for and it brought peace to me.
I was also feeling aches of not being able to give my son KC hugs and personal comfort -- he is dealing with extreme pain as a UHP trooper and the death of one of the law enforcement troopers. He is heavily involved with being an honor guard until the funeral, will be very involved with the viewing and funeral and has already spent many hours surrounding the troopers family. I hope that he can feel of our Savior's love and that he feels angels on his right and left side bearing him up. I hope that he knows of our love and support and that this will all be taken care of by our Savior's outreached arms. I love him so much, and am proud of his service.
I am reminded of words from a famous song -- When you walk through a storm.
WALK ON THROUGH THE WIND
WALK ON THROUGH THE RAIN
THOUGH YOUR DREAMS BE TOSSED AND BLOWN
WALK ON, WALK ON
WITH HOPE IN YOUR HEARTS
AND YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE
YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE
WALK ON WALK
WITH HOPE IN YOUR HEARTS
AND YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE
YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE
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