"...I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up" (D&C 84:88)

Riding around Bear Lake has become somewhat of a tradition for my dad, my brother David, my brother-in-law Kevin, and the past two years has increased with my nephew Garrett, and this year two of my sons- Stockton and Ethan. Often we ride fast, and there is a bit of a competitive edge about doing it to see how fast one can finish the ride. But this year was a little different in that my son Ethan has absolutely no desire to go fast. He goes at his own pace. I stayed behind him, and for the first 15 miles thought he may turn around because everyone had gone ahead of us. We caught up with them, they started again and passed us, with the exception of my brother David (therefore Ethan's Uncle). He stayed with us. He told Ethan, "Riding is suppose to be fun. You go at your own pace. Especially with this being your first ride, don't worry about how fast you're going. I will even ride back to the cabin with you if needed". With these words of encouragement, Ethan settled in and kept pumping away, slow and steady.

This was a ride in the true sense of the word. It was not a contest, but a ride. All too often in life the competitive side of our natural man comes charging in and wants to take control, or be the best, fastest, better than, or greater than all other participants when in reality, it's a ride...not a competition and there is no need to contend for one's place or position while on a ride. When David told Ethan to "enjoy the ride" I couldn't help think of this scripture: "Adam fell that men might be; men are, that they might have joy" (2 Nephi  2:25). The joy comes in the journey!

I had started out on this ride expecting to ride fast, keep up with everyone, and be back in time for lunch. Well, it turned out to be different and in the long run (or ride in this case), one that will stand out in my mind forever. It was an incredible experience to watch my son continue pedaling hour after hour, enduring the heat, and receiving encouragement from his Uncle David. Pres. Monson says it so beautifully about enjoying the journey now: "This is our one and only chance at mortal life- here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey- now" (Finding Joy in the Journey).

On that ride I learned so many subtle, but powerful lessons and the ride ended up being one of incredible joy. While seeing my son Ethan with his Uncle David encouraging him and patiently riding beside him, I understood more clearly that the Savior will always be there for us. He says, "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you" (John 14:18). There are so many times when we think we are on our own, and yet he will always be there to comfort and guide us on our life's journey.  We are told, "...I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up" (D&C 84:88). Most often, the angels beside us are our family members, friends, and people we associate with on a regular basis. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland teaches us this about angels:

"But when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with-here, now, every day. Some of them reside in our neighborhoods. Some of them gave birth to us, and in my case, one of them consented to marry me. Indeed heaven never seems close than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind" (The ministry of Angels).

This ride called life is meant to be enjoyed, and yes, endured well. As a mother who witnessed a miracle of her son finishing the longest ride he had attempted (the longest he had ridden was 4 miles prior to attempting this 50 mile ride), I testify that we are never alone, we will never be left comfortless (see John 14:18), and there will be angels in our lives to "bear [us] up".

Riding behind Ethan and David

We did it! Ethan, David, and me. It was a journey of great joy :)

P.S. Know you are loved!

"Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way- but that thou wouldst clear my way before me" (2 Nephi 4:33)

On my trike ride I had the most random, small thing happen that stopped me dead in my tracks. While pedaling through a sprinkler I heard a "Bing" sound and then my pedals stuck. I couldn't pedal forward or even roll them backwards. We stopped, my brother David and I, to check it out and see what the problem was. We saw that a part on my trike that keeps the chain tracking was catching and making it impossible to pedal. After fiddling around a bit and realizing that we couldn't fix it, I called my husband to come and pick me up. I told David to keep going and enjoy his ride. When Jeff (my awesome knight in shining armour) showed up he asked if I wanted him to check it out so I could keep riding. Well, I was done. I had only gone 12 miles in 2 hours...very frustrating. When we arrived home he looked at my trike. We tried a couple of things, and then on closer inspection, Jeff saw a pebble lodged in the part that tracks the chain. It was the pebble that was stopping my progress!

As I have thought about this I realize how often I let little pebbles impede my progress. Sometimes they end up being "stumbling blocks" and I just keep tripping over and over, probably because I don't want to admit they are a problem, they are only "pebbles" after all. There are times that I cry as Nephi, "O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robes of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way- but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy" (2 Nephi 4:33).

Sometimes, we just need a different perspective to see the small pebble that is stopping our forward progression and growth. Elder Neal A. Maxwell said, "...let us inquire about our individual stumbling blocks, 'Lord, is it this?' We may have known the answer for a long time and may need resolve more than His response" (Consecrate Thy Performance). We may need the resolve to keep trying, keep seeking, keep pedaling, for He knows all (see Mosiah 4:9-10). I love how Elder Holland states this: "Our fundamental requirement is to have faith in Him and follow Him- always. When He bids us to walk in His way and by His light, it is because He has walked this way before us, and He has made it safe for our own travel here. He knows where the sharp stones and stumbling blocks lie hidden and where thorns and thistles are the most severe. He know where the path is perilous, and He knows which way to go when the road forks and nightfall comes" (He Hath Filled the Hungry with Good Things).

Once the small pebble was spotted and removed I can now pedal and ride again. It is such a great feeling to have this freedom. We are taught that if we "...shall hearken unto the Lamb of God ...then He shall manifest Himself unto [us] in word, and also in power, in very deed, unto the taking away of [our] stumbling blocks-" (1 Nephi 14:1). When the stumbling blocks, or in some cases small pebbles, are removed we will make progress, we are free to move forward, we can keep riding and enjoy the Good Life. This I testify.

"Forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34)

I was riding my trike inside some work cones up a hill and approaching a green light. I knew there was traffic to my left. I was cruising along pretty well and entered the intersection when a small, blue, beater car turned right in front of me, just missing me. I sat up straight in my seat and raised my right arm and shook my fist at the driver as he sped away. My arm hurt so badly-I had just reacted and forgetting that I can't raise my arm that high yet without pain. (I was reminded pretty quickly...) I was pretty ticked-off as I headed down the other side of the hill. Then, I thought, "Hey, Jennifer, you didn't flip them off! And you didn't cuss at them!" I felt so much better. And then another thought entered my mind, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). That thought has changed my perspective about a lot of things.

This one little thought has made a difference in my reaction lately, and hopefully it will be a long term effect. Now, when someone cuts me off while riding or even driving, I think, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do". When someone says something that is rude, or offensive, I think, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do". When my children don't do what I expect or are disrespectful, I think, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do". As I have done this I have noticed that I am able to respond in a more calm and kind manner rather than reacting with anger, frustration, or even rudeness back.

Pondering the words from President James E. Faust (1920-2007) has made me wonder if keeping this statement in my heart will have long term effects. He says: "We need to recognize and acknowledge angry feelings (which I definitely had when the little, blue, beater car nearly hit me). It will take humility to do this, but if we will get on our knees and ask Heavenly Father for a feeling of forgiveness, He will help us. The Lord requires us "to forgive all men" for our own good because "hatred retards spiritual growth" (The Healing Power of the Atonement). To forgive others "is a divine attribute" (Forgiveness).

Keep moving forward, keep forgiving. I can tell you my ride was so much better after I had that thought, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do". And my days have been better since I have continued to ponder it. Life is good. And forgiving makes it even better. This I testify.