"But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst" (John 4:14)

While riding my trike last week up a steep hill it was later in the day, close to 7pm, with the temperature still in the 90's. I got to the top and took a swig of water from one of my two water bottles. I steadily pedaled as I spotted a runner sitting on the curb not far from me. His head was down, but not looking at his phone or anything really. As I passed him I yelled out, "Everything okay"? There was no response. I decide to turn around, thinking that I am being overly concerned for nothing. As I approached him I ask again, "Is everything alright"? He says, "No. I am really dehydrated and have run too far and I have no water. I feel really sick". I said, "Would you like some water? I have a second water bottle that I haven't used yet." He gladly took it from me. I ended up hanging out with him for about 25 minutes, sharing some sports beans with him, and chatting until his friend arrived to give him a ride home. His name was Bryce. As Bryce stood to get into his friends car he reached out to hand my bottle back. "No," I said, "you keep it. Use it. I'm glad I could help". He was incredibly appreciative.

I rode away full of energy and a heart full of happiness. As I did so, I thought of how often I have gone too far without drinking or even sharing the water I have... meaning, the real water that will quench all thirst. Christ said to the Samaritan woman at the well, "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life" (John 4:14 (6-15)). Christ isn't just handing out a bottle of water to be handed back after we take a swig or two. No, He is giving us, as we keep His commandments, "a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life" (D&C 63:23).

H. David Burton, the Presiding Bishop at the time, said this of living water: "It is this living water, freely offered by Jesus Christ, that we all seek to quench our own spiritual thirst and that is critically needed to end the gospel drought that continues to plague mankind. As His disciples, we are the primary distribution system for delivering the living water from its everlasting source to His cherished children in need. We largely determine who will receive the water as we, by our service, control the irrigation system headgates. We preserve the purity of the water as we reflect to the world the value of the living water in our own lives. If we irrigate when the living water is required, rather than when it is convenient for us, we determine its vitality. It is only the living water of Jesus Christ that can and will bring a happy, successful, and everlasting life to the children of men" (The Living Water of Jesus Christ).

Water is beautifully symbolic. It is "a symbol of the Lord Jesus Christ and His teachings. As water is essential to sustain physical life, the Savior and His teachings (living water) are essential for eternal life" (The Guide to the Scriptures/ Living water). The interesting thing about drinking is that we can be offered water, but it is up to us to drink, both physically and spiritually. "Yea, if they will come, they may, and partake of the waters of life freely" (D&C 10:66). We get to choose whether or not we want to partake, or to offer water to others around us through small acts of kindness, service, and sometimes great sacrifice. When we receive this water, the Living Water of Jesus Christ, "with joy shall [we] draw water out of the wells of salvation" (Isaiah 12:3). It feels so good to drink! It feels even better when I have enough and to share. For with Christ, I testify, we "shall never thirst" (John 4:14) and we will have plenty to offer to others.

Christ with the Samaritan Woman at the Well by Simon Dewey

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13)

I mentioned that I have been going to physical therapy (read here). I now go twice a week. It is so painful at times and yet I know I need to the help to be stretched and strengthened. My physical therapist, George Shirley, the owner of Fast Track Physical Therapy, knows exactly what he is doing. He has a masters degree in athletic training and a doctorate in physical therapy. He is smart, kind, funny, honest and encouraging. It is so nice to be able to trust in his ability to help me get my full range of motion back. I really have to trust him. He will hold my arm and I must completely relax it in order for him to stretch it and move it so that I can get improved range of motion. Trust in George's knowledge and ability is paramount especially when he stretches my arm and it hurts- not sharp pain, but the kind of pain I know will give me improved movement and stability. I have to trust that he knows how much weight I should add or what exercises I should be doing on my own so that progression will take place...even when there is pain. I must "trust and then go and do" (see Trust in the Lord, Then Go and Do).

Of course doing physical therapy twice a week has led me to pondering about trust, trusting in the Lord to guide us and lead us along, even when it's painful. He knows exactly how far to stretch and push us so that we will get stronger. He knows how much weight we can bare. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6). Just as I must trust George to stretch my arm just the right amount and not too much, we must also trust the Lord that He will stretch us and give us the right load to bare so that we may become stronger. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13). We become stronger with the help of Christ! Even when there is pain, we increase in strength, ability to reach, and range of motion- both literally and symbolically.

Me with my PT- George Shirley

Elder Henry B. Eyring said this about trusting in the Lord: "You show your trust in Him when you listen with the intent to learn and repent and then you go and do whatever He asks. If you trust God enough to listen for His message in every sermon, song, and prayer...you will find it. And if you then go and do what He would have you do, your power to trust Him will grow, and in time you will be overwhelmed with gratitude to find that He has come to trust you". (Trust in the Lord, Then Go and Do). 

As we "trust in the Lord" with all our hearts, he will strengthen us and shall receive "full range of motion". "For with God nothing shall is impossible" (Luke 1:37).

I can lift my arm! Each time I go, trust George, endure, and do the exercises on my own I can raise them higher each time!

Here a just a couple of scriptures that come to mind on this topic that may aide you in your own study of trusting in the Lord:

"Blessed are they that put their trust in Him" (Ps. 2:12)

"The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high power" (Ps. 18:2).

"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation" (2 Nephi 22:2; Isaiah 12:2). 

"God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect" (2 Samuel 22:33)

"But behold, he did deliver them because they did humble themselves before him; and because they cried mightily unto him he did deliver them out of bondage; and thus doth the Lord work with his power in all cases among the children of men, extending the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in him" (Mosiah 29:20).

Know you are loved!!!

"I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord" (1 Sam. 1:28)

I can hardly believe that the time has come and my only daughter, Lara, left to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . She is serving in the Birmingham, England mission. This is a huge commitment on her part. As a parent, and having her be our oldest child, it is a rather unique experience being on this end of sending a child out into the mission field. I feel so incredibly blessed to be able to support her in doing this. She will serve for 18 months. It's a wonderful blessing to see my children grow up and have their own conviction and testimony of what is true, real, and good. As she has prepared to go, my thoughts have turned to Hannah and her willingness to "loan" her son to God (see 1 Samuel 1-2).

In petitioning the Lord for a "man child" we are told  "she vowed a vow", one that I could never quite comprehend until today. She said, "I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life" (1 Samuel 1:11). Hannah understood her great role as a mother, to teach her children to love the Lord, thus committing themselves to Him. As a mother, this is the desire of my heart. To have my children love the Lord and choose to be committed to Him. As I have raised them it has been my responsibility to teach them about our Heavenly Father, and our Savior Jesus Christ, and how to recognize and follow the promptings of the Spirit. This has been no small task. And it has been the greatest blessing to see my children increase "in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man" (Luke 2:52). It has been so humbling to watch our children choose to serve God because they love Him, and not because of fear.

Hannah said, "For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord" (1 Sam. 1:27-28). As I hugged my daughter one last time before she entered the terminal it was such mixture of feelings- one of complete and utter joy mixed with feelings, not of sorrow or sadness, but deep, motherly love. There was no fear, no worry, but...incredible gratitude that I have had such an amazing time with this wonderful child of mine. I say as Hannah, "I have lent [her] to the Lord; as long as [she] liveth [she] shall be lent to the Lord". I am so humbled that I was able to lead her, guide her, and walk beside her (see I Am A Child of God). I know I am not "lending her" to the Lord, but she was "loaned" to me. I know that she will be an amazing missionary as she shares the gospel with the people in the England, Birmingham mission.

Some friends have asked, "Why would you send your child on a mission?" The Lord loves all of His children! He wants all of us to "hear his voice" (John 10:3) and "come unto him" (see 3 Nephi 9:14; Matt. 11:28; Isaiah 55:3). This is why I am willing to have my daughter serve a mission- because I also want all of God's children to "hear his voice" and "come unto him". I know that God lives. He loves us with unwavering love. I know that we are led by a prophet of God today (read about prophets here, here, and here). I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God along with the Bible (request your free copy of the Book of Mormon here or free Bible here). What a blessing to have a missionary who desires to serve the Lord. I invite you to "hear his voice" and "come unto Him" by reading the Book of Mormon which confirms the truth of the Bible. It is God's words and His voice on those very pages. This I testify.

Lara with her brothers at the airport.
(Ethan, Lara, Slade, and Stockton)

Lara with her dad, the week before she left.

Lara with me, the week before.

Lara with her grandpa and grandma Bonney.

Lara with her grandma and grandpa Beach.

"Out of small things proceedeth that which is great" (D&C 64:33)

I have been doing physical therapy (or PT-for pain and torture, as one friend called it) to aide in the recovery of my shoulder surgery these past couple of weeks. There is a lot of very small movements involved with PT. These small movements actually, when properly and regularly done, make a great difference. A month ago I could only move my arm about two inches from my side, and it was horribly painful. Well, I have made progress. I can almost lift my arm to shoulder height, almost, with not quite as much pain. Those small movements do make a big difference! This, of course, led me to thinking about the power in doing "small and simple things" (Alma 37:6).

Small and simple things...what exactly does that mean when it comes to living the gospel and being a disciple of Christ daily? For me, it has come to mean that I make time to do the things that everyone sometimes thinks as "the same old answers". This would include: praying (see D&C 31:12; D&C 88:126; 3 Nephi 18:19; Luke 18:1; 3 Nephi 18:18; ), personal scripture study (see 2 Nephi 32:3; 2 Nephi 31:20; D&C 26:1), acting in faith (see Romans 1:17; James 2:18; D&C 8:10; Moroni 7:25-26; Alma 44:4), or repenting (see 3 Nephi 11:17; Moses 6:50; D&C 19:4; Mosiah 4:10; Ezekiel 18:30-31; Matt. 3:2) to list just a few of those "same old answers". These small and simple things that are taught over and over in church, and by our parents and leaders, well, these are what bring "great things...to pass" (Alma 37:6).

Doing my PT exercises daily has made great improvements in my physical ability to move my arm. This is the same with doing the small things that God has given us to do. When we exercise faith by doing the small things over time we "see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things" (1 Nephi 16:29). I'll be honest, it took me a little bit of time to understand this concept with PT. I wanted to see incredible changes overnight. And I really wanted to do just one big thing, not a bunch of small things (see 2 Kings 5:13). I may get weary of doing the exercises, the same small things over and over, but Wow! they make a great difference. Therefore, this I testify that as we "be not weary in well-doing" we will truly come to know that "out of small things proceedeth that which is great" (D&C 64:33).

"And behold, all that He requires of you is to keep His commandments" (Mosiah 2:22)

When my children were little, before we would go anywhere I would ask them what my expectations were or what did I require of them for whatever particular outing or place we were going. Most often they were simple expectations, such as no arguing when it's time to leave, or hold onto the shopping cart, or hold hands in the parking lot. I learned that if I explained what I expected from my children there were fewer explosions or frustrations from any of us and such requirements were most often for their protection, both physically and emotionally. As I have thought about expectations I wondered, "What does Heavenly Father expect or require of His children? " Well, as I have been searching for answers, it is really pretty simple and this is what I have concluded.

What God expects from all of His children is the same for everyone "...the one being is as precious in his sight as the other" (Jacob 2:21). His expectations are simple and straightforward; "...for the selfsame end hath He created them, that they should keep His commandments and glorify Him forever" (Jacob 2:21). This same command or expectation, to keep His commandments is repeated in the Doctrine and Covenants: "Behold, this is your work, to keep my commandments, yea, with all your heart, might, mind, and strength" (D&C 11:20). Everyone of us will be "proved" and "tried" as to whether or not we choose to follow God's commandments. "And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them" (Abraham 3:25). The Savior taught: "If ye love me keep my commandments" (John 14:15). It's not subject to opinion which commandments we should live, we don't get to pick and choose which ones we live, rather we get to choose whether or not we want to be obedient to God by keeping all of His commandments. Gratefully, the "laws of God...are given to us by a loving Heavenly Father" (Pres. Thomas S. Monson).

God doesn't expect us to be robots and He has no desire to control us. Rather, "men (meaning the human family-the family of Adam) are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil" (2 Nephi 2:27). Again we are taught: "...ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given unto you a knowledge and He hath made you free" (Helaman 14:30). The truth is we are free to choose whether we want to be obedient to God or be obedient to Satan.

I used to be in the camp that the idea of obedience is restrictive. When in reality, "obedience leads to true freedom...Obedience to righteous principles [offers] freedom from social diseases, shame, degradation and feelings of guilt" (Obedience: The Path to Freedom). The Savior taught: "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32). When we are taught truth and we choose to live it, we are free. It is the only way for true freedom.

I love the words of King Benjamin when he teaches his people about what God expects or requires of us. He said: "And behold, all that He requires of you is to keep His commandments; and He has promised you that if ye would keep His commandments ye should prosper in the land; and He never doth vary from that which He hath said" (Mosiah 2:22). These are clear words about what God expects, and He loves us enough to give us these precious guidelines.

Being obedient is true freedom. It is the way to happiness and joy in this life and in the life to come. This I testify.