My dear friends, sorry this is a bit long, but I haven't been on social media in a while! I have always tried to follow promptings, and stepping away for a bit was one of them. This personal deep dive has given me the opportunity to experience different paths. My family has always been my first priority, and this season has provided some wonderful and unique experiences with them. It's funny how we think we know why God is asking certain things from us, but then...ah, nooo… my perceptions were not correct at all! With trust in His infinite love and knowledge, miracles begin to unfold and appear. God is so amazing!
My experiences over the last year have truly been life-changing! Too much to write about here, and this is already too long.😂 Maybe I’ll write another book! 😂 But seriously, the best parts have been being available 24/7 for my sweet little family.🎁 After all, isn’t that what this life is all about? Family!
Yes, I have missed connecting with you, and I hope you always know how much you all mean to me! Many of you have been with me for over six decades!!! Your support and love throughout my life have touched my heart so deeply. You’re “family” to me! I have read your sweet comments from time to time and appreciate your love and support with this adventure I’m on. Thank you!!!😘
I have never experienced anything quite like this version of my life right now! 😂 Giving full attention to what I’d say is the most “normal” life I have ever lived is definitely unique and different.😂 I have performed since age 3, and I’d say.. that’s not what I'd call normal! 😂 But I know nothing truly is “normal”! No matter how life changes, when you boil it all down, it’s the simple daily choices that make the greatest eternal impact in our lives. And THAT’S what matters most!
Throughout my life, I have always had great faith in trusting and following the paths the Lord has placed in front of me. Like you, we all have many different kinds of experiences. Some are incredibly wonderful and profound, while others can be challenging and even extremely dark. I believe… no, I KNOW, these difficult times, if we “choose” to let them, can teach us how to change into becoming a better person. They also help us have greater humility, love, and compassion for others who might be going through challenges. They bring us to our knees! And I'm so grateful for each one as the Lord reaches down and picks me back up!
By striving to “Hear Him,” we grow daily in faith and see how God’s unconditional love creates daily miracles for us! Those tender mercies move us from believing in Him to knowing Him personally! His blessings automatically come when we exercise faith and love in Him. By following His example and keeping His commandments, miracles will happen. However, maybe not always how we want, 😂 but definitely when we need them! I’m more grateful than ever this Easter season for His infinite love and atonement. He lives! He’s real! He knows us each individually. After all, we are His children, His “Family,” and isn’t that what this whole life is truly all about!🥰
I won’t be posting as much as I used to; my daily posts are now focused more on my cute family’s group texts.🥰 I love my husband, children, and grandbabies! It’s been wonderful to be able to give them my undivided attention! Like many working women, our children understand the demands of our lives, but to now be consistently available for them has meant so much. For example, the other day, there was a little emergency. My daughter called in a panic to ask if I could pick up my granddaughter at school. Relieved when I said yes, she said, “Mom, it’s so nice to have you here and available. Thank you so much for helping me out today; it means the world to me.” Now, I don’t know about you, but these words meant more to me than any award or accolade the world could ever offer! Once again, “Family”… ❤️ it’s everything!!!
My post today is definitely leaning towards a Sunday post😆 mainly because of Easter! Also, I usually ask every year if you’d like to join me in listening to General Conference. These talks always lift my soul and give beautiful insights into our Savior’s life and teachings. They are great to ponder upon and then apply to our daily lives. It has also been a great way for me to celebrate Easter and its true meaning! If you’d like to listen, you can find them on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints website. I will also post two of my favorite talks if you want to listen. Camille N. Johnson gave the first one; it’s wonderful and has a beautiful message! The second was given by my dear friend Tammy Runia. (Our husbands played basketball together at BYU 🥰) Her talk is amazing and a must-listen! I loved these talks and others, but I believe you’ll find there are great messages in them, and I believe they are worth your time to listen to and ponder upon! 😘
In the spirit of love and family, which seems to be the theme of this post ☺️ I just returned from Orlando for our 42nd anniversary of Children’s Miracle Network! As one of the founders of this organization, these “Miracle Kids” fly into Orlando from Canada and the US and were chosen to represent their State or province and our 170 Children's Hospitals. I love seeing these beautiful children; they are my heroes! Their individual stories are miracles, and they touch many hearts as we highlight their strength for all they’ve been through. They go around all week sharing their stories with our corporate sponsors; it’s amazing to watch! I also want to thank our incredible corporate partners for their commitment and generosity! These companies' hearts are dedicated to blessing the lives of children and their families in their local communities. It’s life-changing to be there with them. If you go to cmn.org, you can see who these companies are and how you can have fun helping them raise money for your local Children’s Hospital.
I must also post about my dear friend, “Family” to me, Joe Lake. He was one of the four of us who founded the Children's Miracle Network. Joe passed away a few days before our event in Florida. He was a man full of love and compassion for others and had a heart totally dedicated to service. I love him dearly, and I know he was welcomed home into the arms of our loving Savior. I’m sure it was a marvelous reunion! I send my deepest love and prayers to Marta, his wife, and their beautiful family. He will be greatly missed!!!
I “know” the key to getting through life successfully is service, and there are so many ways to apply it. When we help someone, it always seems to help us forget our own problems. By focusing on others, it helps us see and work through our own shortcomings and imperfections. Serving others is simply life-changing! My parents taught this through their example. As they would say, “Loving one another is the greatest quality we can learn from our Savior’s exemplary life.” I hope you have felt my love for all of you through my life’s work. To see you in the audience laugh, smile, remembering happier times, and sometimes even crying with me, has brought great joy to my heart. Honestly, you have blessed me so much more than I could ever have done for you. You’re “Family,” never EVER forget that and how much I love you!😘
So today, I wish you a blessed Easter. May we take the time to truly understand and find joy in the ultimate gift bestowed on us by our Savior Jesus Christ: His infinite mercy given through His atonement because He loves us. We are His “FAMILY!”
All my love,
Marie ♥️❌⭕️😘