Like most of you, twenty-seventeen (and the first week of twenty- eighteen) brought the bitter and the sweet. My mother lost her husband of forty-one years, we've lost several members of our church congregation, the president and prophet of our church, Thomas S. Monson left this earth on Tuesday evening and just yesterday, we discovered our angel friend, Susanne Harwood passed away. The sweet include: Sarah returning home from her mission, Anna leaving to serve a mission, Hailee, my youngest sister, bringing another bright life into this world and our health and finances continuing to sustain our needs. One may think, "Okay, Susan- your "sweet" list is nice, but look at your "bitter" list, so much death, so much sorrow." I agree- a lot of sadness. But my joy outweighs my sorrow because of the hope in Jesus Christ. Because of Jesus Christ, my family and friends will live again. And when it is my turn to leave this magnificent world, I will be able to hug, "high-five" and laugh with them. Because Jesus Christ was resurrected, all of us (believers and non-believers, bond or free) will be resurrected too. We can have joy in this life because He showed us how to live. In the midst of our sorrow, we can have hope--hope in Jesus Christ. The Psalmist was spot on when he said: "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." So bring it on 2018!!
Here some pictures of our sweetness and joy on the first day of 2018!
For the beauty of the earth
For the beauty of the skies
For the joy of human love
Brother, sister, parent, child
Friends on earth and friends above
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our joyful hymn of praise
