Happy 30th Birthday Erik

JOURNAL GEMS
written by ERIK GRAY 2013

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIK!!!! We love and miss you so much. And yes, there's a snowstorm TODAY.... we know you ordered it because you love snow. Your nephew gets blessed today, too. Little 7 week old Britton Tasker. Thank you for being a part of our lives and sharing your love and inspiration with us all. You have left an amazing legacy.

Just another example of your goodness.....

EXCERPTS from-

Stake Conference talk- March 17, 2013- Blessings of holding to the rod

......

BLESSINGS THAT COME

·         “If you hold to the rod, you can feel your way forward with the gift of the Holy Ghost. … Grasp the iron rod, and do not let go. Through the power of the Holy Ghost, you can feel your way through life.” –Boyd K. Packer

·         You will gain the right perspective that your life needs to have- personal story

·         Holding to the rod, especially during trials, will not define you, but refine you

·         Look up!

·         Progression- I have felt progression in my life, especially through these last surgeries

·         Blessings of:

o   Temple

o   Priesthood

o   Family

o   Friends

o   Mission

§  At 18 yrs old, Sid Going was a rugby player, and a shoe-in for New Zealand’s national rugby team. However, he decided to serve a mission before playing rugby.

§  When he came home, he became one of the greatest halfbacks in the All-Blacks league

§  Training and games would be scheduled around Sunday so that Sid could play

§  The Queen of England even recognized him

§  “The blessing of bringing others into the gospel far outweighs anything you will ever sacrifice.”

o   Having the spirit to be with us

·         We are never alone:

o   Cancer diagnosis- life was going good last fall

o   Feeling of peace during the half marathon

o   Read Footprints in the sand POEM

 

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.

Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.

Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,

other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed

that during the low periods of my life,

when I was suffering from

anguish, sorrow or defeat,

I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,

"You promised me Lord,

that if I followed you,

you would walk with me always.

But I have noticed that during

the most trying periods of my life

there have only been one

set of footprints in the sand.

Why, when I needed you most,

you have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied,

"The times when you have

seen only one set of footprints,

is when I carried you."

Mary Stevenson