"Ya gotta cheer up, and never give up hope" ~Wakko Warner

This past week I received a phone call that knocked the wind right out of me. For me the news was of the saddest kind. The news was that they were turning away from living gospel truths. 

Since that call I have cried, prayed, and read --scriptures, general conference talks, & various church articles. Here are two things that were helpful --gratitude & hope. 

"Everyone’s situation is different, and the details of each life are unique. Nevertheless, I have learned that there is something that would take away the bitterness that may come into our lives. There is one thing we can do to make life sweeter, more joyful, even glorious. We can be grateful! …Most of the scriptural references do not speak of gratitude for things but rather suggest an overall spirit or attitude of gratitude … grateful to God in our circumstances … in times of distress does not mean that we are pleased with our circumstances. It does mean that through the eyes of faith we look beyond our present-day challenges … In any circumstance, our sense of gratitude is nourished by the many and sacred truths we do know: that our Father has given His children the great plan of happiness; that through the Atonement of His Son, Jesus Christ, we can live forever with our loved ones; that in the end, we will have glorious, perfect, and immortal bodies, unburdened by sickness or disability; and that our tears of sadness and loss will be replaced with an abundance of happiness and joy … There seems to be something inside of us that resists endings. Why is this? Because we are made of the stuff of eternity. We are eternal beings, children of the Almighty God, … who promises eternal blessings without number. Endings are not our destiny … The Lord has given us His promise that those …"who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more" Doc. & Cov. 78:19. 

"...no matter how difficult a particular situation is, … cannot afford to give up hope … nor … afford to relinquish all responsibility for providing measured, ongoing moral support and direction for (them) … believing instead that … involvement ends once (they) become a legal adult or leaves home". 

Song lyrics from an animated movie also came to mind-- "Ya gotta cheer up, and never give up hope" ~Wakko Warner, Animaniacs, Wakko's Wish https://youtu.be/bzmUmi_l1HI 

--So, along with deep breathing, I will strive to turn towards gratitude & hope to get through to tomorrow and the next day and the next....

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