"Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life" (3 Nephi 15:9).

I had the opportunity to ride The Cache Valley Century (that's 100 miles) on August 23, 2014. This has been, to date, the most difficult century I have had to endure. It wasn't because of the distance, or the hills. It was due to the weather. I was able to ride with my son, Stockton, this being his first century ride (and probably last), for most of it. The ride started out with gorgeous weather. The temperature was just right, the sun was out, and there was a cheerful feeling in the air. At the first rest stop Stockton dumped his jacket and his longer pants because it was warm and he didn't really need them. Shortly thereafter, Stockton and I split about mile 35, with him going ahead with my dad and brother who have a faster pace than I do. I continued on my own, enjoying the ride and the beautiful country.

Not long after, the weather took a sharp turn. There were dark clouds that gathered quickly and I had just the right amount of time to get on my rain gear. The rain poured down with some hail to make it even worse. The rain gear was obsolete, but it did break the wind. I was at 50 miles when it stopped raining. I was really in the debate about whether or not I wanted to finish. I was cold and pretty much soaked. I called Jeff, and he encouraged me after I told him I was alone and of the weather conditions. About 10 minutes later the weather dumped again. Rain and hail just pelting down. It was hard to see, and the wind was in my face forcing me to go at a very slow pace.

Shortly after, I found out that my brother-in-law was at mile 70. This gave me courage to continue pedaling. I had no idea where Stockton was, thinking that perhaps he had chosen to do the 60 mile ride. I knew my dad and brother had done the 60 miles and was informed they had completed their ride. With rain pouring down, I continued to pedal, keeping my eyes peeled for my brother-in-law. We passed each other, me asking him how far to the next rest stop. He yelled, "About another 10 miles"! I passed several people hiding under trees, and just stopped due to the raging wind, rain, and dime sized hail. At this point these thoughts went through my mind, "Why in the heck did I want to do this ride? Should I really keep going? What am I trying to prove?"

I kept going. The sun came out as I rounded a corner to enter the rest stop at 70 miles. Low and behold, there was Stockton!!! He was standing there in his shorts and t-shirt shivering. He had no gloves so his hands were pretty numb.  I asked if he wanted to call dad and have him come get us. "Nope, I'm going to keep going", he replied. I had been ready to quit and would have had Stockton not been there. We stayed there for about 45 minutes trying to warm up in the sun. When we took off, Stockton was in the lead. He pushed the pace to 19 mph. I tried to keep up and was able to only because it started to rain again after about 5 miles. Again, it dumped rain and hail. We just kept plugging away, encouraging each other just by the mere presences of being together.

As it was dumping rain, I watched Stockton ahead of me, and I am praying for it to stop raining on my son. He is such a good and righteous young man that I just wanted him to not have to endure this horrible weather or have such a bad experience for his first century ride. As I am praying for him the thought comes, "For it must needs be, that here is an opposition in all things" (2 Nephi 2:11), and then, "...He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matthew 5:45). We all get to endure "bad weather". All of God's children are to be "tried in all things" (D&C 136:31), even the just and the unjust. We don't get to decide what we have to endure. Nope. What we get to decide is whether or not we will endure. The bad weather broke with about 8 miles left. We enjoyed each others company, and I was so grateful he was there to ride with me to the end.

As Stockton and I crested the last hill there was a street light we had to stop at. There across the street was my husband, Jeff, and our son, Ethan. I started to cry I was so relieved and happy to see them! We went around the block to finish and there was Jeff, our two other sons, my dad, my brother-in-law, and brother and his whole family cheering for us. It was so overwhelming to see these people that I love I couldn't hold back the sobs (literally) of joy and relief of seeing them. There was so much joy after having finished and enduring to the end! It hit me how important it is to "endure to the end" in all things.

Elder Richard J. Maynes said this about enduring: "As we temporarily endure the challenges we can solve and as we continue to endure the challenges we cannot solve, it is important to remember that the spiritual strength we develop will help us successfully endure all the challenges we face in life" (The Strength to Endure). After riding this century and enduring such harsh weather conditions I realize even more that there is purpose in difficult things. The joy of seeing loved ones at the end can't be described. That is what eternal life, for me, is all about- FAMILY!

Christ said, "Behold, I am the the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life" (3 Nephi 15:9). When I finished with Stockton by my side and my family members cheering us on, I had never been more alive. I was filled with joy. I testify that as we endure the "harsh weather" and other challenges that come our way, we will be filled with peace, joy, and receive spiritual strength to endure all things. "For with God nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:37).

Stockton before the ride. Note the jacket and pants that he ditched at the first rest stop

Stockton at the first rest stop. Notice the jacket and pants are now gone. Also note the clear, blue, sunny skies!

Ready to head out from the first rest stop.

The last 8 miles were without rain, but the roads were still wet. Those are my feet and Stockton in in front of me.

Taken by Jeff as we crossed at the light- this is when I started to cry from relief and joy of seeing him and Ethan. Notice Stockton now has my rain jacket on...he was very cold!

Stockton crossing the "finish line" made by my brother and brother-in-law. 

Me crossing the makeshift finish line. We were the last ones in...or crazy enough to keep going. Everything had been taken down and put away by the time we arrived.

The bruises on my arm from the hail.

The sky after the storm. It was beautiful country!

"...And [He] fed them with manna that they might not perish in the wilderness; and many more things did He do for them" (Mosiah 7:19)

All these fun adds about "Got...", "Got...", "Got...". Well, I've been thinking about getting and what it is I really want to get and have I "got it". In a conversation with a friend we were discussing the Israelites and manna. They were provided daily with manna and could not gather more than was sufficient for the days needs (see Exodus 16). Ironically enough, manna translates to: "What is it?" (Bible Dictionary: Manna). So I ask myself, what is it I really want? And am I willing to gather all I need to "get it"? Or am I always looking for more?

I then began to think about manna as a miracle, for that is really what it was. God provided food for the Israelites daily when they were wishing they were back in Egypt "[sitting] by the flesh pots, and when [they] did eat bread to the full" and complaining of their deliverance saying to Moses, "for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger" (Exodus 16:3). I know I would have complained if there was no food. If I am even a little hungry I get "hangry", that's angry and hungry at the same time. Not a good combination. As I write this I realize I don't want to be "hangry", I want to be grateful...I want to get thankful. "Got gratitude"?

God is so merciful in His reply to the complaints of the Israelites: "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no" (Exodus 16:4). God does provide- and not just sometimes. He provides every single day! But sometimes I am just too busy looking for what I don't have that I don't see what is being given and provided daily. God's message to them was this: "At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the Lord your God" (Exodus 16:12). They ate "manna" every day, bread from the Lord.

This leads me to asking what "manna" have I received from the Lord this day? Or "Got manna"? All too often I probably take what really is a miracle as coincidence, or luck, or it's just how things are. But in reality, these small day to day "coincidences" are miracles. One daily miracle in my life is to gather our family together for dinner. What an incredible gift to spend time with my loved ones, hearing about their day, their thoughts, and who they are. What a miracle to be able to get a drink of water from the tap, and add ice to the glass! I don't have to walk to the well to gather water every day. What a miracle that I can read and study the scriptures and the voice of the Lord's prophets with the touch of a button (scriptures found here; Teachings of the Prophets found here).

These may seem like no big deal, but when I start thinking about all the "small and simple things" (Alma 37:6) that make my life so easy and incredibly blessed, it is truly "bread from heaven" (John 6:31). I love what King  Limhi says about manna: "Therefore, lift up your heads, and rejoice, and put your trust in God, in that God who was the God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob; and also, that God who brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, and caused that they should walk through the Red Sea on dry ground, and fed them with manna that they might not perish in the wilderness; and many more things did He do for them" (Mosiah 7:19). God provides manna for us every day that we "might not perish in the wilderness".

So I ask myself, "what is it" I really want to get? And you know what? I "Got Manna"! We all "Got Manna"! Let us open our eyes (see D&C 76:116-118), gather what is offered daily (see Exodus 16:4), because we are "fed...with manna that [we] might not perish in the wilderness; and many more things [does] He do for [us]" (Mosiah 7:19).

"And I will also be your light in the wilderness" (1 Nephi 17:13)

There were some incredible sunsets, silver linings, and awesome clouds on my rides these past weeks. As I watched the light change, and the silver linings appear I couldn't help but think how God is filled with light. I love what Elder Jeffrey R. Holland about silver linings. "Even if you cannot always see that silver lining on your clouds, God can, for He is the very source of the light you seek. He does love you, and He knows your fears. He hears your prayers. He is your Heavenly Father, and surely He matches with His own the tears His children shed" (An High Priest of Good Things to Come).

Sometimes it may feel like we are just wandering or riding around with no direction, but He will always be our Light. "And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led" (1 Nephi 17:13).

Today, just keep "pedaling"...the Light is there, the clouds pass away, for we are being led to greater things (sometimes there are even rainbows at the top of the mountain). More often than not, it's hard, challenging, and a lot of work, but the climb is always worth it! The Light is always there, we just have to wait for the clouds to part. And they always do- this I testify.

Silver lining 

Silver Lining just a minute later- even more light!

Sunset looking to the West

Same sunset looking to the East- reflected light through the clouds

Light behind the clouds- sometimes we just have to wait for them to part in order to see the Light

"I will be your light "- seek Him and we shall always find Him

And sometimes there is even a rainbow at the end of the "climb"

"What manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am" (3 Nephi 27:27)

I finally  completed a huge basket that I have been working on for several months. The process of this basket took a lot longer than I had anticipated. I had in my mind, when I started, a rim I really wanted to do. It would be beautiful and functional. I had done the process on much smaller baskets, but never on a large basket. As I worked on that rim, it was not going as I had anticipated. It didn't look as well as I wanted it to and then I had shoulder surgery, so I didn't finish the rim in a timely fashion. When I finally got back to working on the basket I realized that some of the pieces had been broken and this particular rim wasn't going to be strong enough for the size of basket. A rim adds great strength in keeping a basket together. So, I took it all off and I let it sit for another couple of weeks. When I finally made a decision of what to do, went forward and worked on it, step by step, then it came together. I was able to finish it. It took way longer than I wanted it to, but I finally finished it!

Sometimes I realize that I have an idea of what something is "suppose" to look like in my mind, such as being kind, serving others, or being a good wife or mother, and that picture, well- it's just not quite right. So I have to change things and try again. I have to keep trying. The Savior asks, "What manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am" (3 Nephi 27:27). To me, what the Savior is really asking is, "Are you willing to make something of yourself  by following My vision, My way, even when you have to undo, or redo something to make it the best"? It's not always easy, but the finished product is so much better than what I had originally envisioned.

After working on this basket for several months I realize that in order to make something strong, beautiful and functional it takes time, patience, diligence, and willingness to fix mistakes. It doesn't come together in a day. The whole process, the dying of the reed, the measuring and cutting, the weaving and shaping, the pulling and tightening and loosening, the entire process is what makes the basket complete. This is the same with us. It is the entire process of learning, living, loving, obeying that makes us into what manner of men and women we ought to be. It is "faith, hope, charity, and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, [which] qualify [us] for the work. Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence. Ask, and ye shall receive; knock and it shall be opened unto you" (D&C 4:5-7).

Becoming the man or woman the Lord knows we are is sometimes, well, work. What a blessing we get "time to prepare" (see Alma 12:24; Alma 34:32). Time to weave it all together, and even get the rim on nice and tight so that we can be strong, functional, and incredibly beautiful- just like our Savior!

The completed basket

Signed and dated with inscription

My son Slade...telling me, "It's totally awesome".

Note the quarter on the ground for comparison of size.

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you" (Philippians 1:3)

I know this is more sentimental than normal, and this is written more specifically to my friend, ThuVan. I couldn't have made it through some of the most difficult times of my life without you. You are missed greatly!!!

I want to share a little about a dear friend who moved away about a year ago and it has been different not having her around. She is a devout Catholic and she lives what she believes. She taught me about many things through her example. She would volunteer at the local soup kitchen, take food to others in need without being asked. I know she is an incredible mother who encourages her children to make good choices and then live with the consequences, good or bad. She supported me, loved me even when my faults were hanging out all over the place. She was a true friend, for "a friend loveth at all times" (Proverbs 17:17). She celebrated my successes and helped me learn to forgive and love others. I now understand more fully this scripture: "A [woman] that hath friends must shew [herself] friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24). She truly stuck by me through many difficult and challenging experiences.

My friend introduced me to all sorts of new foods. We ate Pho noodles (pronounced fu- the u pronounced as in up) which is a Vietnamese dish. In it I tried flank, tendon, meatballs and often many unknown items. The meatballs are very different from ours; but everything else was pretty decent. I also ate lobster and oysters for the first time with her. We ate a lot of spicy foods together. One time we decided to try a hot wing challenge at a restaurant because we had eaten so many spicy, hot dishes before that we didn't think it would be a big deal to try these. If we ate all the wings we would pass the "test" and get a t-shirt. One bite of the wings made her really sick and me, I was sick later that day. We didn't pass that "test" but we did get a good laugh out of it...later. With all our eating, we would talk and talk. I was truly strengthened and lifted when we would eat and talk. This scripture comes to mind when I think about all our conversations: "Therefore, strengthen your brethren in all your conversations, in all your prayers, in all your exhortations, and in all your doings" (D&C 108:7).

We walked miles and miles together. We talked, shared, cried, and laughed together. I could open my soul to her and know I was safe. On one of our walks we got lost and ended up walking for about 4 hours rather than our usual hour and a half. Through our walking and talking I learned about true greatness and accomplishment from her example of quiet service, compassion, caring, diligence in achieving difficult things, and acceptance of others. Pres. Howard W. Hunter said it perfectly: "...true greatness is a long-term process; it may involve occasional setbacks. The end result may not always be clearly visible, but it seems that it always requires regular, consistent, small, and sometimes ordinary and mundane steps over a long period of time" (True Greatness). She also lived this by continuing her education and receiving her masters degree in occupational therapy. While doing so, her husband got a new job and needed to move before she had completed her studies. She stayed here in Utah while her husband moved. It wasn't easy for her and her children being apart from him. But it was through consistent, small, and sometimes ordinary steps that they made it work. I am grateful for her example of enduring well through difficult experiences. And for being a true friend at all times.

As I write these experiences I realize: "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you" (Philippians 1:3). Wow I really miss you!

Me and ThuVan celebrating my 40th birthday. 

My lobster lunch...first time I ever had lobster. YUM! (Thanks ThuVan!!!)

We would often walk to this park from our neighborhood 

We ate at Silver Fork Lodge...this picture was taken after ThuVan moved. I rode my trike up the canyon and took it.

A year after she moved...she stopped by for a visit and a walk. Had to get a picture before we parted ways again.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). May the Lord bless you with good friends. Many hugs to all! And know you are loved!!!