Look Up!

I have found in life that this statement is really true- It is better to Look up! Sometimes life can be tricky, and even at times hard. But we have a choice as to what direction we are going to look and it really has been a source of strength in my life to LOOK UP!

This was a favorite quote of mine from a talk given by Carl Cook: Look Up. Elder Cook told of an experience being called as a new General Authority, feeling the weight of the calling and other things weighing heavily on him at them time. He entered an elevator in the church office building and was looking down at his shoes. Eventually the doors of the elevator opened and President Monson entered, smiled and, while pointing heavenward, said, "It is better to look up!"

Since then, Elder Cook has pondered the experience and the role of prophets. "I was burdened and my head was down," he said. "As the prophet spoke and I looked to him, he redirected my focus to look up to God where I could be healed and strengthened through Christ's Atonement. That is what prophets do for us. They lead us to God." Elder Cook said that if members exercise their faith and look to God for help they will not feel incapable of doing what they are called to do, or need to do. "We will be strengthened, and our lives will be filled with peace and joy."President Monson's encouragement to look up is a metaphor for remembering Christ, Elder Cook explained. "As we remember Him and trust in His power, we receive strength through His Atonement. It is the means whereby we can be relieved of our anxieties, our burdens and our suffering. It is the means whereby we can be forgiven and healed from the pain of our sins. It is the means whereby we can receive the faith and strength to endure all things."

This past few months have been a whirlwind in a way. Busy with 4 kids, juggling a busy calling, running carpools, tackling homework (or trying to get kids to do it), getting time with my hubby, keeping a home up, dealing with health issues, trying to keep up with karate, piano, choral, drama club, etc etc is all in all tyring!~ And at the same time, make sure all the members of your little family are happy and emotionally content, and learning all that they need to learn. I have really been missing Mom lately, more than ever really! I feel blessed with great friends and a wonderful husband and family, but sometimes ya just need Mom! And isn't that how it is needing our Heavenly Father?! I have tried to remind myself just this past week, that my Mom is near and especially that my Father in Heaven is near and I just need to Look up! I don't need to do it alone. I am so thankful for a testimony of the Gospel and have no idea where I'd be without it!