The Long Climb Up

It's hard to know where to begin.   I realize how long it's been since I dumped my feelings of stress which was bringing me down to that dreaded depression to which I am so susceptible.  I realized that God much have known what was ahead for me when way back in March, maybe even in February, Cathy (Mortensen) called and asked if I would like to go to Women's Conference with her at the end of April.  I had told her definitely, "Yes", and Jim immediately made all the reservations for us both,  including our flights.  The conference was just a week after I received the call to Young Women's.  This gave me a chance to get away and "regroup" and hopefully get myself more spiritually prepared for what lay ahead.

As I mulled over the long list of available classes I started to gravitate towards those that were intended for the teenage sisters thinking that they might help me better understand the problems and challenges of young people today.  Surely that would help me in my new calling.  But then I thought, "No.  I need to take classes that would strengthen ME."  That was the right decision.  The whole spirit of the conference was very uplifting, and just being with so many special sisters and listening to the church leaders who spoke really gave me the spiritual boost that I needed.  But the two classes that helped me the most were, "Happiness is Our Heritage" (happiness is difficult, if not impossible, to find when you are depressed) and "Then Will I Make Weak Things Become Strong" (I was really feeling my weaknesses right now) taught by Brad Wilcox.  I came back renewed and ready to face the challenges which were before me ... or so I thought.  Then came Mother's Day.