Dating Stages Highlights Prior to Marriage

   Good Morning or Good Morning or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately three minutes to read from start to finish. 

If you are currently married; have you thought about what was your dating stages highlights prior to getting married to your spouse? 

Back when I was newly married to Jacob; I was reflecting on some dating stages prior to getting married to him. I am very grateful for every SINGLE memory that Jacob and I had together while we were dating long distance (while I was living in Australia and Jacob was living in Texas) and while we were dating in person (spending some time together).

Boyfriend and Girlfriend Stage; 

- Jacob and I both really enjoyed skiing for the first time. I have learned so much about skiing. Jacob has shown me patience multiple times duration while teaching me how to ski and we both went skiing together as our very first date in person. 

- On our sixth date (within forty-eight hours after meeting each other in person); Jacob decided to surprise me very well by taking us to The Roof Restaurant (the restaurant that has a fantastic view of Salt Lake City Utah Temple) after attending a sealing session together at Salt Lake City Latter-Day Saint Temple. 

I enjoyed the surprise, it was a buffet for my twenty-second birthday dinner and dessert. I felt loved, I was happy, and it was a very special date. I still remembered sometime after we finished our desserts, Jacob had another surprise for me. He surprised me by giving me roses. I wasn't expecting to receive any roses. 

- Jacob and I have always counted the days together to look forward to seeing and reuniting with each other again after being long distance. We both took turns of picking each other up from the airports and dropping each other off at the airports (this also applies to fiancé and fiancéé stage).

- Jacob has purposed to me on the same date that it marks exactly ten months of being boyfriend and girlfriend.  

"A moment lasts for seconds but the memories lasts forever."

Fiancé and Fiancéé Stage;

- Jacob and I had heaps of fun when we gotten our engagement photos taken because not only our engagement photos was taken at a beach, but it was taken on my twenty-third birthday. 

- Jacob and I went to two theme parks (Movie World and Wet N Wild) at Gold Coast, Australia and we had so much fun. 

- Jacob and I held a simple engagement party. We definitely have appreciated for those friends and relatives who showed up and joined with us for our engagement party celebrations in Australia and we also have appreciated for those who helped us setting up and made our engagement party cakes for everyone to enjoy. 

Stay Tuned until next time. 

Choose Your Friends Wisely

 Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately three minutes to read from start to finish. 

Repost* similar post to one of my past blogs.

Throughout our lives; I know that sometimes we may feel overwhelmed or uncomfortable when we meet and make new friends. We may feel so excited when we meet and make new friends. Sometimes we do not remind ourselves about what would be some of the risks that can happen when it comes with for being someone's friend. 

"No matter where you live in the world; choose your friends wisely, and don't choose friends who are likely to judge your circumstances." I strongly know that our friends should have no time to judge and criticize our circumstances no matter what we are currently going through, and we were going through in the past. 

We should be the same way. We should not have no time to judge and criticize our friends' circumstances no matter what they are currently going through, and what they were going through in the past. It is okay to be worried about friends' choices, but we should not allow their choices to impact our choices in our lives. 

Loving Instead of Judging; 

"CHOOSE your friends WISELY."

I know that I feel judged by some former friends in the past. I know those friends just assume a lot even when they do not have all information. 

We should not make any assumptions before knowing all the information. For an example; I know that I was not expecting to be diagnosed of having left side ovarian cyst to be size of 2.5cm within the first six months into my marriage.

I have felt the judgement by others because they assumed for multiple reasons why I have been gaining some weight so quickly for the first six months into my marriage. 

They have assumed that I have gained some weight so quickly because 1. I seemed to be feeling a lot happier ever since I gotten married to Jacob, therefore the causes would be because I AM MARRIED. 

2. The foods and the drinks has different ingredients (compared to Australian foods and drinks), and the foods over here is very unhealthy no matter what I consume.

3. I looked like if I was more than three months pregnant, and has asked me multiple times if I was pregnant. 

We should not judge other people by their appearances or looks. For an example; I know that I got judged by others of the way that I look. I know that I do look differently, and I also know that I do walk differently than most people. I have bilateral hip dysplasia in other words, I have both hips that are out of socket. 

Some people do laugh at me, some people just do not ask what medical condition that I have for me to caused walking differently, and some people has assumed that I have scoliosis in the past. Both bilateral dysplasia and scoliosis are two different medical conditions. 

We should be communicating with kind and uplifting words.

For an example; it is always a good idea to communicate with kind and uplifting words. We all should know by now that if we do not say anything nice to say, then do not say it at all. We should not be hurting others' feelings by saying mean words.

I would like to share a portion of the "Friends" section from For The Strength of Youth pamphlet, and it states the following; "Everyone needs good and true friends. They will be a great strength and blessing to you. They will influence how you think and act, and even help determine the person you will become.

... Choose friends who share your values so you can strengthen and encourage each other in living high standards.

To have good friends, be a good friend. Show genuine interest in others; smile and let them know you care about them. Treat everyone with kindness and respect, and refrain from judging and criticizing those around you. 

Do not participate in any form of bullying. ... If your friends urge you to do things that are wrong, be the one to stand for the right, even if you stand alone. You may need to find other friends who will support you in keeping the commandments. ..." - Here is the link if you would like to read the whole section of "Friends" from For The Strength of Youth pamphlet online either now or in your own time. 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/for-the-strength-of-youth/friends

Stay Tuned until next time.

How can I make each day count?

    Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

This post should take approximately three minutes to read from start to finish. 

Throughout my life so far, I tend to ask myself about "how can I make each day count?" time to time. I don't know if you ever ask yourself the same question at times throughout your life. I used to make each day count by doing daily scripture reading, daily prayers, finding ways to be positive and so forth. 

However each week is always different for me but I do house chores twice a week - sometimes three times a week (doing laundry, loading dishes to be washed in the dishwasher, washing dishes that isn't dishwasher safe, and so forth), I make and cook dinner meals five days a week (sometimes six days a week) for myself, Jacob and Evelyn, I make Jacob's sandwiches for him to take to work, etc. 

I know all of us are capable of making each day count whether it is being productive at work or focusing on your studies from school for education, and so forth. As each day goes by, we able to make choices whether it is a best choice that you ever made or a wrong choice. As each day goes by, we choose for ourselves how we should feel and react to certain things.

Each day count can be experiencing days at a time when we feel want to give up on certain things, but we need to continue pressing forward. Each day count can be experiencing days at a time when we look back on our past mistakes, but we need to move forward and focus on the present day and our current surroundings.

Each day count can be experiencing days at a time when we are feeling disappointment and hurt, but we need to seek more happiness and cheerful moments to brighten our days.

Make each day count.

Each day count can be experiencing days at a time when we are losing patience on certain things, but we need to be patient on certain things. Each day count can be experiencing days at a time when we are feeling prideful on certain things but we should not be prideful on certain things because at some point throughout the day, may make us feel selfish and upset.

You can not make the time to go faster and you also can not make the time to go slower. You need to be productive and not focusing to look what time it is as every minute goes by or every fifteen minutes that goes by.

I hope this post have helped you to find a different perspective on how to make each day count and I would like to  encourage you to do whatever you can to make each day count. What would you do tomorrow to make your day better than today?

Stay Tuned until next time.

Count Your Blessings, not Your Problems

Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, this post should take three minutes to read from start to finish.

Have you ever counted your blessings in life? I used to count my blessings often. After quite some time without counting my blessings, I have worked out that I wouldn't need to worry about counting my blessings for now because I knew that I already have many blessings. 

"Count your blessings NOT your problems."

I would like to share some of my blessings that I am grateful to have in my life. 

My parents has taught me how to speak kind words, how to cook meals, how to clean dishes (washing dishes), how to do laundry, how to budget, and so forth. 

Next month; Evelyn turns two years old. She has made me to become her mother, she loves to show me that she loves me (by hugging me, kissing me on my cheek, and so forth), she seem to enjoy showing me that she wants to help me out with doing laundry (hanging out the clothes on the drying rack), and so forth. 

This September marks four years of being married to Jacob. Jacob has a steady full-time job. I rely on Jacob for being the main provider in the home so we can afford of paying for bills early or on time, we can afford of paying groceries weekly (sometimes multiple times during the week), and so forth.

Jacob and I both have different personalities, we both were born and raised in different countries, we have learned some different life lessons, we have some things in common that we both enjoy doing, we have learned to love each other no matter what, we have learned to forgive each other whenever we make mistakes, and so forth. 

I trust and rely on health care so much. I don't always show it but I really do care about my health because my health is really important to me. I would like to live as long as I can (hopefully until sometime after I retire), making sure that my well-being is overall good, and so forth. 

I'm grateful for education. I like learning new things, I like writing notes during church services such as sacrament meetings, stake conferences, general conferences, and so forth, I like watching documentaries about the past (many years ago) on Netflix and Disney+ and so forth. 

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I know that sometimes whenever we are caught up and feeling too focused on the worldly things in life; we might find times to be difficult for us to count the blessings that we have received in this life so far, there may have been some things that we may not even consider as blessings in our lives, we may feel frustrated for losing the companion of the Holy Ghost and feeling bad for ignoring the promptings and warnings from the Holy Ghost, and so forth. 

I would like to encourage you to be STRONG! I would like you to be strong whenever you are going through afflictions, difficulties, tribulations, sicknesses, challenges, struggles, trails, pains, and so forth. Some blessings will arrive straight away, some blessings will arrive when we are at the right place at the right time, and some blessings may not come in this life but it would come in the next life.  

Stay Tuned until next time. 

Don't take counsel from your fears

    Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately five minutes to read from start to finish.

We all face fears throughout our lives. We have faced fears in the past. We might be currently facing some fears now and we will continue to face fears in the future. 

During my teen years and even during my early adulthood years; I have always feared of death no matter how many times that I have reminded and ressaured myself that I will be okay, and I will get through my life with accomplishing as many goals as I can. 

During my pregnancy with Evelyn; I was feeling fear of giving birth to Evelyn because it was a new milestone for me to accomplish in life. I knew that I was constantly hoping that my body would be stay pregnant until I have reached my scheduled c-section at 39 weeks. 

Each time that I've faced complications during my pregnancy with Evelyn; I was feeling fear of the worst thing to happen. I am truly grateful that I have stayed pregnant as long as I could and given birth to Evelyn at 32 weeks and 3 days. As each day goes by; time felt so slow but when I look back and how I was at the beginning of my pregnancy with Evelyn, time was going by fast.

After I've given birth to Evelyn; I was feeling fear about how my postpartum experience would go. Overall; I feel that my postpartum experience went well because I had the strength to walk normally unassisted within several days after I have given birth, I was able to produce breast milk on the same day that I have given birth to Evelyn, and I had the strength to go back into routine such as doing house chores.

Some people fear that they are going to be failure in life. I mean some people may feel like that they are going to fail with their educational assignments, their exams, their projects, making good impressions for a first date, and so forth. 

Despite how many hours that goes into educational assignments, exams, and projects; some people feel that they are going to fail because they may be overthinking about negative instead of positive, and I feel those type of people would need uplifting encouragement that gets them thinking that they will PASS and they will be successful. 

I remembered when there was times that I felt like I was going to fail with my assignments, exams, and projects because I just do not know what the outcome would be if I pass or if I fail. I knew now when I look back that I was grateful for having encouragement and being told that I will PASS.

"Don't take counsel from your fears." - James E. Faust.

Despite of leading up to a first date can be scary to some people; they may feel afraid that they can not make good impressions on that date because they may be overthinking and worry too much about they may say or do something wrong during the first dates. 

Those people deserve to know that making good impressions on a first date would be well deserved if that the date goes well with laughter, smile, and getting to know each other. I remembered on several occasions when I went on my first dates with past guys prior to meeting Jacob, and I knew those first dates went well because it consist of smiling and getting to know one another. 

Some people fear about getting married. It is normal to fear about getting married, because some religions have a rule about not having children prior to marriage. I know that it is normal to feel impatient for not getting married by your ideal age but remember it is okay. Marriage can be a long-term commitment, and marriage often consist of continue getting to know the other person. 

During my teen years; I would like to be married by the time when I was twenty years old and if not by then, I would be happy to get married by the time when I was twenty-three years old. Of course, I am so grateful for getting married to Jacob when I was twenty-three years old. I felt more ready to be married at twenty-three years old more than being ready to get married at twenty years old. 

Some people fear about having children. It is normal to fear about having children. Raising children does not come easy. Raising children is expensive and it is more expensive than buying a decent small home. We must consider that raising children cost lots of money (money that goes towards medical bills, dental bills, school fees, and so forth). We need to consider that it would be appropriate to spend most time to teach children in ways that their school teachers can not teach them. 

What are your fears in life?

Stay tuned until next time.

My Postpartum Experience after Given Birth to Evelyn

Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, this post should take approximately five minutes to read from start to finish. 

I know that all Mum friends has experienced different postpartum experience after giving birth to each child. I would like to share about my postpartum experience after I’ve given birth to Evelyn. I’ve given birth to Evelyn at 32 weeks and 3 days via emergency c-section due to complications. 

For the first 4 days of Evelyn’s life; Jacob and I’ve stayed at the hospital, I was pumping breastmilk 8 times in every 24 hours and Jacob and I was able to visit Evelyn twice in every 24 hours. Each visit has lasted an hour. Jacob and I took turns of holding Evelyn, we took photos and videos of Evelyn including ourselves to help us remember these precious moments.   

The times that I wasn’t pumping; I was feeling so exhausted. I had multiple naps, I was chatting with my family members, I was eating snacks and meals that the hospital has provided, and so forth. The nurses has encouraged me to walk within several hours after I’ve given birth to Evelyn. 

I was also taking painkillers to ease my pain from having the c-section. Each day while Jacob and I was at the hospital together; I reduce amount of painkillers to consume and I hoped that I wouldn’t need to rely on them by the time I got discharged from the hospital. 

Whenever I’ve coughed, sneezed and laugh, the incision hurts but I was able to overcome that pain feeling eventually. It took several days to adjust it was normal for incision hurts each time that I've coughed, sneezed, and laughed. I wasn’t expecting it would hurt so bad because no one didn't tell me to prepare for it.

I was feeling nervous about having my first postpartum shower. I had my first postpartum shower within two days while Jacob and I was still at the hospital. I remembered that I could barely stand up and I had to sit down on a chair in the shower. With Jacob's help, he has helped me to feel ease and comforted while I was having my first postpartum shower.  

By second day or third day of Jacob and I was staying at the hospital; I was able to walk without any assistance. By the third day; I was free from consuming painkillers and I was able to stand up and have a normal shower. My second postpartum shower at the hospital was definitely much better than my first postpartum shower.

I didn’t want to leave the hospital knowing that Jacob and I wouldn't be able to take Evelyn home with us when I got discharged. Evelyn wasn’t ready yet to be discharged from the NICU. Jacob and I’ve made sure that we were able to visit Evelyn sometime before we went home. 

I didn’t have any restrictions against me except for one restriction. I didn’t get told about no lifting anything heavier than Evelyn weighs, I didn’t get told that I wasn’t allowed to bend over, and so forth. 

During the time that I was at home while Jacob went back to work; 

I continued pumping 8 times in every 24 hours - I’ve freeze and store the breast milk that I’ve pumped, I continued taking naps whenever I get tired, I continued doing laundry which required me to bend over when I put the clothes in the washing machine to be washed and to pick up the clothes from the washing machine to hang them out to dry, I continued cooking homemade meals - no meal was too complicated to make), and I watched TV for some entertainment to let some time to go by. 

While Evelyn was in the NICU; there was some days when Jacob got off work early enough in the afternoon for us to get ready and visit Evelyn. I always hoped that Jacob would always finish work early. I always looked forward to visiting Evelyn.  The walk from the hospital parking lot/car park to the NICU wasn't so bad but it has helped me to build the strength to continue walking normal and lose the weight that I have gained (35.2lbs/16kg) when I was pregnant with Evelyn. 

Some days while she was in the NICU; I was able to give a NICU nurse of some breastmilk that I’ve pumped for Evelyn to consume during her scheduled feeding times (which was every 3 hours; 7am, 10am, 1pm, and so forth). She tolerated most of the breast milk that I’ve pumped, thankfully. 

Each visit and including the 10 days when Jacob and I wasn’t able to visit Evelyn in the NICU (due to we’ve been exposed to some family members being tested positive for coronavirus); I always ask the NICU nurse about Evelyn’s progress. Along the lines with the following questions: 

- Has she been eating well? - How many mls/oz is she tolerating for her scheduled feeding times? 

- Has she gained any weight? What’s her new weight? - What’s her new height? 

There has been multiple times when the NICU nurses would tell me and Jacob that Evelyn doesn’t like to be swaddled. Jacob and I had to wear face masks and we hated it. There was times that Jacob and I took off our face masks because we wanted Evelyn to see our smiles, and whenever we talked to Evelyn. 

We had our family prayers towards the end of each visit; Jacob and I took turns of who is saying the prayer. I remembered seeing Evelyn waving while she was in the incubator after I’ve said “Daddy and Mommy is here.” 

What have I learned from my postpartum experience after I've given birth to Evelyn? 

- Don't feel afraid of asking for some help with doing house chores (such as doing laundry, washing dishes, etc).

- The restriction that was against me during the first six weeks postpartum has helped me to recover quicker.

- It is normal to feel pain while pumping breast milk when I didn't have the right flange size.

- Don't feel afraid of asking for some help with cooking and preparing meals. 

- It is normal to feel pain while sneezing, coughing, and laughing for the several weeks to up to six weeks. - It is normal to feel nervous for having the first postpartum shower after giving birth. 

Stay Tuned until next time.

Finding Refuge from the Storms of Life - Part Two

Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, this post should take three to five minutes to read from start to finish. 

This post is part two. This post focuses on a April 2020 General Conference talk and it is called "Finding Refuge from the Storms of Life" by Elder Ricardo P. Giménez. 

Elder Giménez has mentioned the following: "In order to enjoy the refuge that Jesus Christ and His Atonement offer, we must have faith in Him a faith that will allow us to rise above all the pains of a limited, earthly perspective. He has promised that He will make our burdens light if we come unto Him in all that we do.

... It is said that “to one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” (This statement has been attributed to Thomas Aquinas but is most likely a loose paraphrase of things he taught.) However, we have limited understanding of the things that happen here on earth, and often we do not have answers to the question of why. 

Why is this happening? Why is this happening to me? What am I supposed to learn? When answers evade us, that is when the words expressed by our Savior to the Prophet Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail are completely applicable:

“My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

“And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high” (Doctrine and Covenants 121:7–8).

Although many people indeed believe in Jesus Christ, the key question is whether we believe Him and whether we believe the things that He teaches us and asks us to do. Perhaps someone might think, “What does Jesus Christ know about what is happening to me? How does He know what I need to be happy?”

... The Apostle Peter also taught us about the Savior, saying, “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed” (1 Peter 2:24). 

Although the time of Peter’s own martyrdom was approaching, his words are not filled with fear or pessimism; rather, he taught the Saints to “rejoice,” even though they were “in heaviness through manifold temptations.” Peter counseled us to remember that “the trial of [our] faith, … though it be tried with fire,” would lead to “praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” and to “the salvation of [our] souls” (1 Peter 1:6–7, 9).

... President Russell M. Nelson taught that “Saints can be happy under every circumstance. … When the focus of our lives is on God’s plan of salvation … and Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives. Joy comes from and because of Him. He is the source of all joy” (“Joy and Spiritual Survival,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 82).

Of course, it is easier to say these things when we are not in the midst of a storm than to live and apply them during the storm. ... I hope you can feel that I sincerely want to share with you how valuable it is to know that Jesus Christ and His Atonement are the refuge that we all need, regardless of the storms that are battering our lives.

I know that we are all children of God, that He loves us, and that we are not alone. I invite you to come and see that He can lighten your burdens and be the refuge you are seeking. Come and help others find the refuge that they so yearn for. Come and stay with us in this refuge, which will help you resist the storms of life. There is no doubt in my heart that if you come, you will see, you will help, and you will stay.

The prophet Alma testified the following to his son Helaman: “I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day” (Alma 36:3).

The Savior Himself said: “Let your hearts be comforted … ; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God. … “Wherefore, fear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full” (Doctrine and Covenants 101:16, 36).

The hymn “Be Still, My Soul,” which has touched my heart on many occasions, has a message of comfort for our souls. The lyrics read as follows:

Be still, my soul: The hour is hast’ning on When we shall be forever with the Lord, When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone, Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored. Be still, my soul: When change and tears are past, All safe and blessed we shall meet at last. (Hymns, no. 124)

As we face the storms of life, I know that if we make our best effort and rely upon Jesus Christ and His Atonement as our refuge, we will be blessed with the relief, comfort, strength, temperance, and peace that we are seeking, with certainty in our hearts that at the end of our time here on earth, we will hear the words of the Master: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: … enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:21). ..." 

If you would like read this whole talk either now or in your own time. Here's the link below.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/04/53gimenez?lang=eng

Stay Tuned until next time.

Finding Refuge from the Storms of Life - Part One

Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, this post should take three minutes to five minutes to read from start to finish. What ways do you think it means finding refuge from the storms of life?

This post is part one. This post focuses on a April 2020 General Conference talk and it is called "Finding Refuge from the Storms of Life" by Elder Ricardo P. Giménez. 

Elder Giménez has mentioned the following: 

"Back in the mid-’90s, during my college years, I was part of the Fourth Company of the Santiago Fire Department in Chile. While serving there, I lived at the fire station as part of the night guard. Toward the end of the year, I was told that I had to be at the fire station on New Year’s Eve because on that day there was almost always some emergency. 

Surprised, I replied, “Really?” Well, I remember waiting with my associates when, at midnight, fireworks began shooting off in downtown Santiago. We started hugging each other with well wishes for the new year. Suddenly the bells at the fire station began ringing, indicating that there was an emergency. 

"Jesus Christ and His Atonement are the refuge that we 
all need, regardless of the storms that are battering
our lives." 

We got our equipment and jumped on the fire engine. On our way to the emergency, as we passed crowds of people celebrating the new year, I noticed that they were largely unconcerned and carefree. They were relaxed and enjoying the warm summer night. 

Yet somewhere nearby, the people we were hurrying to help were in serious trouble. This experience helped me realize that although our lives may at times be relatively smooth, the time will come for each of us when we will face unexpected challenges and storms that will push the limits of our ability to endure. 

Physical, mental, family, and employment challenges; natural disasters; and other matters of life or death are but some of the examples of the storms that we will face in this life. When faced with these storms, we often experience feelings of despair or fear. 

.. As I have seen the storms that affect people’s lives, I have concluded that no matter what kind of storm is battering us regardless of whether there is a solution to it or whether there is an end in sight there is only one refuge, and it is the same for all types of storms. This single refuge provided by our Heavenly Father is our Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement. 

None of us are exempt from facing these storms. ...  Elder Robert D. Hales, who had his own experiences with enduring storms, said: “Suffering is universal; how we react to suffering is individual. Suffering can take us one of two ways. It can be a strengthening and purifying experience combined with faith, or it can be a destructive force in our lives if we do not have the faith in the Lord’s atoning sacrifice” (“Your Sorrow Shall Be Turned to Joy,” Ensign, Nov. 1983, 66)."

Stay Tuned until next time. 

Preparing for Life's Unexpected Storms

Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, this post should take approximately five minutes to read from start to finish. How do you prepare for life's unexpected storms? Are you able to help someone to prepare for their unexpected life's storms? 

This post focuses on Brigham Young University (BYU) Devotional in this month, this year (September 2021). The Devotional is called, "Preparing for Life's Unexpected Storms," by Sister Peggy S. Worthen. 

Sister Worthen has mentioned; "... What a challenging year it has been! But here we are, enthusiastically ready to face the future come what may. ... Although the situation had a happy ending, it reminds me of the many unexpected challenges that inevitably occur in all of our lives.

The thought of the unexpected can be frightening and, at times, debilitating. Nevertheless, the Savior has commanded us to not be afraid, even when the unexpected storms of life are raging around us. This commandment is often easier to articulate than to implement. 

But, fortunately, the Savior has also promised us that “if ye are prepared ye shall not fear” (Doctrine and Covenants 38:30). So what can we do to prepare for life’s unexpected storms that will most certainly come .. Elder Ronald A. Rasband recently provided a road map to help us through these unexpected storms, counseling us to “take heart.” He said, “Yes, we live in perilous times, but as we stay on the covenant path, we need not fear.”

He also said: The Lord is with us, mindful of us and blessing us in ways only He can do. Prayer can call down the strength and the revelation that we need to center our thoughts on Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice. The Lord knew that at times we would feel fear ... , which is why the scriptures are replete with the Lord’s counsel:

“Be of good cheer, and do not fear.”

“Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.” [“Be Not Troubled,” Ensign, November 2018; quoting Doctrine and Covenants 68:6; 6:36] .. two things we can do to help us prepare for and deal with unexpected challenges.

First, as Elder Rasband noted, we can prepare by praying always, even amid an unexpected challenge especially during an unexpected challenge such as during a difficult conversation or when attempting to quickly gather our possessions and thoughts from a river of fast-moving circumstances. 

Praying always doesn’t mean that we have to stop mid-circumstance and take on a prayerful posture. Sometimes events happen so quickly that that is not possible. ... Praying always does not mean that we always have our eyes closed and our arms crossed; it means that we keep ourselves constantly prepared by staying in tune with our Heavenly Father.

Second, we can prepare by acknowledging that in times of uncertainty we will need help 
sometimes from others and always from Heavenly Father. On some occasions, such as when a microburst suddenly upends your life, you will find that God has already placed people around you to meet your needs. 

"The Savior has commanded us to not be afraid, even when the unexpected
storms of life are raging around us. This commandment is often easier to
articulate than to implement. But, fortunately, the Savior has also promised us
that “if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.”

... we should be aware that there are many around us who would love to help us and whom the Lord has provided to aid us. The scriptures are filled with examples of ­people who sought the resources the Lord made available to them in trying times. Such was the case when the Lamanite armies took captive some of the people from the city of Ammonihah. 

Zoram, the chief captain over the armies of the Nephites, went to Alma, the high priest over the Church, to ask him “whither the Lord would that they should go into the wilderness in search of their brethren, who had been taken captive by the Lamanites” (Alma 16:5; see also verses 3–6). 

Likewise, to defend the Nephites against the Lamanites in a later battle, Moroni sent messengers to the prophet to “inquire of the Lord whither the armies of the Nephites should go to defend themselves against the Lamanites” (Alma 43:23; see also chapter 43). 

None of these people were afraid to ask for help. Their lives depended on it. We may not always be facing a life-or-death situation, but we should never be afraid to ask for help from the plentiful resources that are available to us in times of uncertainty. And, most certainly, we should never shy away from asking our Savior for help.

... during this time of uncertainty, you will not be afraid of the challenges that are inevitable. Prepare yourselves by endeavoring to stay on the covenant path. Remember to pray always in order to stay in tune with our Heavenly Father, who is mindful of each one of us and who wants us to be happy and successful. Also remember that you are not alone in your journey. So be prepared to ask for help - we need Heavenly Father and each other. ..."

If you would like to read the whole Devotional either now or your own time; here's the link below.

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/peggy-s-worthen/preparing-for-lifes-unexpected-storms/

Stay Tuned until next time.