Baby Steps by Suzanne Hancock

In trying to find a post for this week, as I forgot to ask someone else to write, I came across something I wrote in 2009. It struck a chord in me when I read it, remembering my feelings at the time, and also reminding me how important it is to take steps forward, no matter how small:

My son took his first steps tonight (sniffle, smile, sniffle, smile), which put me in a contemplative mood.

He stumbled, leaned too far forward to keep his balance, tried to go too fast, and needed his dad and me to be there to catch him. He went back and forth, back and forth, his face a smile, our excitement contagious. We all clapped, we all laughed, we all cheered. I wish I could bottle those five minutes and drink it up every day.

Isn't this how we all are throughout life?

We try something new, a career, marriage, a baby!, a friendship, opening our hearts, forgiving someone, embracing who we are.

It is hard. We stumble, we try too hard, we go too fast, but we keep trying. If we don't, we never learn to walk on our own, with our own confidence, our own faith, our own destiny.

We need others to catch us and stand us back up. Without our cheering sections, our successes are mere footnotes rather than headlines.

May we all take the steps that allow us to grow, but more importantly, may we applaud each other's efforts, even calling for an encore.

Elder Neil L. Andersen, speaking in the April 2012 General Conference said this:

"Jesus's call "Come, follow me" is not only for those prepared to compete in a spiritual Olympics. In fact, discipleship is not a competition at all but an invitation to all. Our journey of discipleship is not a dash around the track, nor is it fully comparable to a lengthy marathon. In reality, it is a lifelong migration toward a more celestial world.

Wherever you now find yourself on the road to discipleship, you are on the right road, the road toward eternal life. Together we can lift and strengthen one another in the great and important days ahead. Whatever the difficulties confronting us, the weaknesses confining us, or the impossibilities surrounding us, let us have faith in the Son of God, who declared, 'All things are  possible to him that believeth.'"

I love thinking that we are all on the same journey, plugging away, taking our first steps in various pursuits and callings and even trials. We are all aiming for the same goal, all equipped with the tools of prayer and scripture study to help us, all making mistakes, all trying to improve.

As I reflect back on that time with my son seven years ago, I am again grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who cheers our efforts, large or small, and who provided a loving Savior to redeem us from our stumbles and our falls.

I, for one, will continue to take my baby steps, moving forward, and celebrating each moment that brings me closer to the person I want to be for now and for eternity.

The Week My Town Doubles in Size by Kamarie Hancock

Every year the town celebrates the many different pioneers that came and settled the little town of St. Johns. Relatives and friends of these pioneers come back each year during this week to celebrate the Pioneers. While growing up in St. Johns, the Pioneer Day celebrations became a part of my life every July. I mean what child wouldn’t want free ice cream given out at the ice cream social? Or to watch a parade and get scores of candy? As a teenager I can remember attending the dances every year; usually, there was a live country band, which was awesome!

Now, as an adult raising my family here, the yearly celebrations mean something a little different. I realize now that there was a lot more to the Pioneer Celebrations than free ice cream, parades, and dances. There is an overwhelming sense of family, community, and ancestry. I did feel that as a youth but didn’t realize the impact it would have on my life until I got older and had a family of my own. There is something special about families coming home by the carloads. The feeling in the air during this upcoming week is different from any event I’ve ever attended. We are all linked together through our ancestry, and the sense of community here is amazing. We are truly blessed to have grown up in St. Johns. We are blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful friends and family. We are blessed to be able to remember where we came from. And we are blessed to all be reaching towards the same goal. I am blessed to be able to raise my family in such a wonderful place and have them experience the togetherness that happens during this upcoming week. The town of friendly neighbors doubles in size and shares a week filled with celebration in honor of our heritage.

Can you see them...? by Michelle (Baca) Sanders

In May of 2015, our family (the sanders seven) traveled along the pioneer trail.  We went north through Missouri - Independence, Liberty Jail, Far West . . . . - to Nauvoo, Illinois.  From there, we followed as closely as we could along the trail until we reached Salt Lake City, Utah.  There are hundreds of stories that can be told of these days!  So many personal moments of all emotions - each and all strengthened us as a family as they connected us to each other and to those who walked this earth before us.  

The majority of the path we took was through the plains . . . . land for miles to meet the big open sky - few buildings and even fewer cities!  The days were filled with anticipation of where we would arrive throughout the day - most of which took us along backcountry dirt roads, the site recognizable only by the National Park Service sign telling us that we had arrived. . . . .the land where “Come, Come, Ye Saints” was written :: a single grave next to the train tracks :: deep ruts carved into stone . . . .

I would often look out the window across the land to the horizon.  Sometimes there would be a row of hills or mountains.  Sometimes the grasses would meet the unbroken sky.  Sometimes there would be a few trees.  I would see shadows and shapes that looked to me like a line of wagons or handcarts along the horizon, joining our journeys.  Looking out, I would ask my children:  Can you see them?   Can you see the pioneers walking along the trail?   Every time, my Eli would joyfully answer “Yes!”  

As I ponder on those days, I can see them  . . . .  I see their teachings and feel their love and follow their footsteps once again . . . .

They journeyed with something: faith and testimony and hope and love!  They also journeyed towards something: the temple and its blessings, a freedom to worship as they lived their everyday lives, a place to raise their families to God.  They lived their lives along the trail with a lasting purpose that would continue with them long after they reached the Great Salt Lake Valley.  These were people who desired to be Saints each day of their lives - and their journeying with purpose requires me to ask of myself if I am doing the same.  What am I journeying with and towards in my every day?

The pioneers prepared the way for those who would follow them.  Taking time to build ferries to cross water, setting up supply stops, building shelters, planting crops, marking paths, writing in journals.  There was a constant awareness of and deep love for those they knew would need to make the long journey - often including the remainder of their own families.  This connection to each other continues to bring me to tears as I write this - I am filled with a desire to answer well the question:  How is my journey helping and showing love for those who are following me?

They turned to rescue as soon as they knew there were others coming late in the season.  Giving the clothes off their backs and the meager possessions they had to help bring all to Zion.  Leaving their own homes and families to save each saint.  No hesitation.  Then, when the afflicted arrived, taking them into their homes and caring for them - embracing them.  Loving them.  Opening their hearts to each other.  Who in my life is in need of such rescue?  

As was written early in the journey:  “All is well!”  They did not sing “all used to be well” or “all will eventually be well” - they were singing “all is well!”  Many had painfully separated from family who did not believe as they did.  Homes had been burned.  Mobs had threatened and attacked.  Sickness raged through camps.  Shoes were worn through.  Loved ones were buried.  Food was scarce.  Almost everything was left behind - possessions as well as a way of life.  They were facing the unknown.  

And yet . . . .

and yet, they continued to sing all is well. . . . 

for with each step upon grassy plains and over rocky ridges - as they faced the unknown they experienced being known.  They came to know their God as their Father and themselves as His beloved children.  “The price we paid to become acquainted with God was a privilege to pay.”

Oh!  To daily walk with a present inthemoment gratitude, joy and recognition of God in my life!  To know Him and to be known by Him!  How I love my Father and my Savior!

I join with them - making this chorus swell:  All is well!  All is well!

Editor's Note: Michelle (Baca) Sanders is the daughter of Jacque (Heap) Baca. Michelle currently resides in Gilbert with her husband, Michael, and their five children.

Missionary Parents by Ray & Brandee Davis

730 days.

17,520 hours.

1,051,200 minutes away from home.

108 Emails.

4 much-needed phone calls.

Countless prayers.

Constant concern.

Immeasurable pride.

Pure joy.

Tender mercies.

Numerous Miracles.

Loneliness.

Pride.

Happiness.

Exceptional growth.

Lifetime bonds.

Gratitude.

Never-ending stories.

Cheerful service.

Anxiety.

Impatience.

Overwhelming love.

Finally Home.

What I Have Learned from Having Kids by Ashley Doubt

1. Time goes too fast.

2. My kids are always dressed better than I am.

3. When they laugh and smile, I feel like I'm doing something right in that moment.

4. The mopping, dishes, & vacuuming can wait when they want to play.

5. My patience is being tested to every known level possible.

6. They don't always listen, but they are always watching.

7. I have so much more respect for my parents raising me with no iPad.

8. It's the little things that keep them happy. For example, painting Ava's toe nails a different color on each toe even though it's a pain. 

9. I am not a very good cook, so Mac n cheese, corn dogs, & chicken nuggets are my favorite go to items. 

10. Privacy is overrated.

11. Being a momma is worth every stretch mark, wrinkle, and sleepless night. And I am so tired, but yet so happy.