Heeding the Warning Signs

Today we had ward conference and our stake president gave a great message that really brought me back to the basics. He talked about the recent events in Japan with earthquakes and the tsunamis that threatened the U.S. He talked about how when those people hear those warning sirens, they pack up and head to high ground, but he talked about the tsunami that is headed our way in our mortal lives and how we have warning signs all around us, but aren't necessarily always choosing to head towards higher ground. It really hit me today about how much we get caught up in our daily lives and often lose our eternal focus. We lose sight of why we are here and what we are to accomplish. We forget our blessings, we forget the simple things we need to do to gain our eternal salvation. And as I listened to this talk today, I thought about how important it is to move our families to this "higher ground" to protect us from danger and to help us to return to our Heavenly Father.

This weekend we attended a funeral for a ward member who passed away suddenly. As we visited with his wife she said they knew this was coming, but didn't expect it so quickly. She told us that no matter how much you plan, you can't fully prepare yourself for the loss. I watched as her family grieved and it brought back a flood of my own memories, when the casket reaches the cemetery and you have your final "earthly" good-byes. Life is short and precious, and more importantly, life continues on after this earthly life so it's crucial we do all we can here to make to our loved ones on the other side. Today I thought of our reunion someday as a family, and how I have to teach Mitch and Libby now all that I can that they have that solid foundation to get back to our Heavenly Father.

Our stake president is also big on missionary work and bringing the less active members into activity. I'm not a great missionary, I won't lie about that. I feel like I can show others my belief through my example. I'm not one to go out and hand out Book of Mormons, or make others feel like my beliefs are superior to theirs. But I do have a burning testimony that I want others to feel and to experience and that testimony if of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. President Jenks said today that we should invite people to know Christ and the rest will fall into place. I like that and I can do that much. And when I think of this, I can't help but think of this song by Chris Rice. Definitely one of my favorites and bears testimony of Jesus Christ.

Come to Jesus
Weak and wounded sinner
Lost and left to die
O, raise your head, for love is passing by
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live!

Now your burden's lifted
And carried far away
And precious blood has washed away the stain, so
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live!

And like a newborn baby
Don't be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk
Sometimes we fall...so
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live!

Sometimes the way is lonely
And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live!

O, and when the love spills over
And music fills the night
And when you can't contain your joy inside, then
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live!

And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side, and
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live!