Solo Flight

Last month my sister Lauren left for a teach-English program in Ukraine.  Yesterday, my sister Kristen left for her own teach-English program in China.  I couldn't be prouder of them.  Their solo flight adventuring will be so enriching for them both.  The program requires that they jump into a classroom with little (if any!) formal training and prepare daily English-language lesson plans for elementary-age children five days a week.  It is a culture shock and steep-learning curve, but somehow it is done--with a lot of soul-searching and earnest preparation, no doubt. 

My own solo flight, though considerably more tame, made me the person that I am.  There is something about being out on your own that finishes off the training of good parents.  My maturity in all aspects improved after I had time to learn, make mistakes, and experience more of the world by myself.

I see the wisdom in our Heavenly Father's plan to allow us to leave the pre-mortal life for an earth life experience.  Life on earth is all about growing, learning, teaching, and choosing the good part.  Agency is an incredible gift!  I know that I had opportunity to grow and develop in the pre-mortal life, but earth life is like the solo flight--the expanded opportunity to prove ourselves.

The genius of the Father's plan is that despite our needful solo flight on earth, we are never left completely alone.  Even as we struggle to learn and improve, we have access to prayer, inspiration from the Holy Ghost, priesthood blessings, the words of the scriptures and living prophets, and the power of the Atonement.  As we use our agency to access these divine gifts, our opportunities for suceess on earth are maximized.             

Snow Day

We got a healthy snowfall last night, which created a nice diversion for Ezra and me from the normal daily activities.  All bundled up from head to toe, we ventured out for awhile.  My little guy was up to his knees in snow!  I tried to make a snowman, but Ezra destructed as fast as I could construct.  I gave him rides on the snow shovel (no sleds to be found here).  We made snow angels and tried to eat snowflakes.  It was a nice way to spend a morning.  And, as an added bonus, I wore Ezra out.  He usually kicks and babbles in his crib for half an hour before actually taking his nap.  Today, he was out in about three minutes.   

Look Upward

A number of years ago, when I was a college student, I had a summer internship in another state.  I packed light, but somehow an obscure collection of hymns on cassette tape ended up in my car; I listened to it often.  One of the selections on that tape was a hymn I had, previous to that point, never heard of--"Does the Journey Seem Long?"  Soon, I had memorized all the verses to that particular hymn. 

One evening, I returned to the intern housing quite late.  My thoughts were particularly gloomy, and I had given in to self-pity over my situation.  I was missing home and family, and wishing for different circumstances.  Feeling heavy and sad, I walked the distance from my car, up the hill to the apartment.  As I walked, gently, but perfectly clearly, the words from the third verse of the hymn "Does the Journey Seem Long?" came to my mind: 

Let your heart be not faint
Now the journey's begun;
There is One who still beckons to you.
So look upward in joy
And take hold of his hand;
He will lead you to heights that are new

As I walked I did look up, literally.  The night sky in that rural setting was all aglow with twinkling stars that seemed especially bright.  I felt in my heart that I was not alone or forgotten.  The message of the hymn provided great comfort, and in that quiet moment I could feel the love of my Father in Heaven. 

The Holy Ghost brings truth to our minds in powerful ways.  I humbly acknowledge how this truth, then and now, gives me courage to press forward.  The Savior Jesus Christ offers us the gift of His Atonement.  All that is unfair about life is made right through His Atonement.  The Atonement is the balm for all hurts, pains, disappointments, and regrets.  It enables us to do hard things.  It lifts, encourages, and heals.     

All Better!

Ezra is feeling better!  Hip hip hooray!

He is also adding new words at a rapid rate!  I am impressed with his verbal skills, which have really escalated in the past month.  His new favorite thing is to imitate my words.  Ezra has his own version of dozens of words that are common in his little world (shoes, bowl, shirt, book, cheese, lion, owl, dog, bath, bubbles, diaper, play, park, snack, juice, noodle, eggs...etc.)  He also makes a good attempt at his own name, which comes out sounding something like "E-rah".