The World Still Needs Pioneers-Something True

Today is Pioneer Day in my home state of Utah.  We celebrate Pioneer Day to commemorate the pioneers that came before us and settled in Utah. 

I am a descendant of the pioneer William Clayton who was an early leader in the Latter Day Saint movement.  He was also a clerk and a scribe to the prophet Joseph Smith, Jr.  If you are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints you will most likely know the song he wrote entitled, "Come, Come, Ye Saints."  He wrote the song when he was out on the plains and received word that his wife who was still in Nauvoo had given birth to a healthy baby boy.

I am very grateful for those who went before me and sacrificed greatly so that I could have what I do today!  No matter what religion you are, you too are a descendant of a pioneer.  A pioneer is someone who prepared the way or was the first to explore or develop something.  Someone who provided us a way to follow.  None of us would be where we are today if it weren't for the pioneers who came before us.

"With the complex issues facing our families and our friends, our citizens, our state, our neighbors, our nation, [and] the world, may we remember pioneers of an earlier day,” said Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.   He noted that early pioneers “persevered against injustice, misunderstanding, some intolerance, occasional bigotry, occasional racism, against differences of custom and traditions and faith, [and] labored against all of that to carve out for us, their descendants, the wonderful day and the marvelous miraculous time in which we live.”

 “We owe the same pioneering, persevering legacy to our children and our children’s children.”

“People working together are more successful, more prosperous and much more happy than neighborhoods or ethnic groups or religious faiths that are suspicious of one another, threatened by one another, and all too often hostile, even violent, toward one another,” he said.

I believe the world still needs pioneers today.  We can continue to be pioneers by standing up for what we believe is right and true and preparing a way for the future generations. 

This is what I know to be TRUE!

Something True- Everyone Is Fighting A Battle

This week is the one when am suppose to be doing my "Something True" from my "Something Old, New, Borrowed, True Series."  But that darn thing called life sometimes gets really super busy.  Sometimes I get really super lazy and other times I am not in any super mood to write.  Because of that I have neglected doing this post until now.  I know I could skip doing the post if I wanted to. After all, this is my blog.  But here's the thing....I've mentioned before how I am a noncommittal type person.  This is something I really want to stay committed to.  So as my day is coming to an end I have had the nagging feeling that I need to do this post knowing that tomorrow I won't be able to.   I've known what I have wanted to write.  I believe it to be true so here it is. 

EVERYONE IS FIGHTING A BATTLE!

Do you ever start comparing yourself to others?  Do you ever compare your house to others? Your car? Your body, hair, weight? Your financial situation?  I know I do.  If I said I didn't I would be lying.  I know we aren't suppose to covet and be jealous of others but I'm only human.  It's bound to happen.  I'm getting better though the older I get.  Hopefully by the time I reach my old age I'll be happy with my wrinkles, dentures and wheelchair and won't be comparing myself to the other granny's in the nursing home. 

When my hubs and I first got married we were young, and dumb, and trying really hard to keep up with our friends.  I don't know if we recognized what we were doing at the time.  Needless to say we ended up in a bit of a bad financial situation.  I remember talking to my dad about it once and he asked me the question, "What do you have to show for it?"  (Meaning the debt.)  The answer:  Nothing!  Absolutely nothing but a bunch of headache and stress!  No new car, no new house, not a closet full of fancy clothes, no elaborate vacations, no nice furniture.  Absolutely NOTHING!  We piddled our nonexistent money away and were faced with the task of trying to dig ourselves out of a hole.  We learned A LOT from that experience!  Not comparing and competing with others was one of the lessons I STARTED to learn.  But that was only the beginning.

As time went by we decided we wanted to start a family.  After years and years of trying to get pregnant and not being able to I think we would have nearly given up every earthly possession to become parents.  Again, I started comparing myself to others.  I thought things such as, "Why do they get to have kids?  They don't even take care of the ones they already have" or "They are so lucky.  Not only are they filthy rich but they get pregnant so easy!"  Yep!  I admit it!  I was a total brat and had those thoughts!  I feel bad for it now!  I can now say that I don't harbor those same feelings that I once did.  I no longer have that ache and longing to become a mother.  I have a beautiful daughter and adorable son who have brightened my entire world thanks to the miracle of adoption.  I know now that I didn't need to get pregnant to be a mother. Adoption is NOT second best!  For me it was the BEST!

So here's the thing:  I was dealing with the battle of infertility while another person could get pregnant easily but didn't know how they were going to pay their bills.  Or maybe my friends were filthy rich but not happily married.   Maybe my friend had the most amazing body but suffered with severe depression.  Do you see what I'm saying?

EVERYONE IS FIGHTING A BATTLE!

Some are minor.  Some are fighting a World War!  Some haven't fought yet but will. 

I wish I could say that I no longer compare myself to others but I can't.  I have bad days!  I forget that someone, somewhere has it worse than I do.

I've had my battles.  I survived!  There will be more to come and I will fight!  But this I know...I wouldn't trade my battles with anyone.  They have made me stronger.  And like I said before, someone is always fighting a harder, more difficult battle than my own.  The only thing I can do then is reach out and help them fight and hopefully help them win!