Increasing Hope, Confidence, and Competence

Have Miracles Ceased? Last week, I was having a discussion with some friends about miracles. I believe in miracles and am so grateful for those I've seen. I believe what Moroni said in the Book of Mormon, that “God has not ceased to be a God of miracles” ( Mormon 9:15 ) . I actually just heard a quote I really liked in a movie yesterday, often attributed to Albert Einstein, that said, “Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous.”  I’ve seen too many “coincidences ” to deny that God is a God if miracles. But after the year that my family has had, sometimes the clarity of that statement gets muddled in my scattered brain. I won’t pretend to have many answers with this topic, but maybe some of the insights I’ve gained might help someone else in their search. If God is a God of miracles, why didn’t He send any of our family to be there for Sam on that cold, terrible day in March? While all unexpected deaths are life-shattering in their own way, suicide is its own category of t...

My thoughts have revolved around the topic of suicide this week. Why is it so hard for so many people I love? Obviously for my family and I, we constantly miss our brother and son. We always wonder why it has to hurt so bad and how we can help others who might be considering suicide as an option. However, this week it was much more in-my-face. One of my friends recognized, for the first time, a mental illness starting to impair her daily life in dangerous ways. Gratefully, she reached out for help! Another friend, finding themselves in an urgent mental crisis, sought help and entered into a behavioral health center for immediate care, which I am also so thankful for. Additionally, at work we have discussed suicidality, as well as the eternal nature of families, in depth this week. Needless to say, my heart is heavy as I consider the immense pain felt so persistently by many people I love. In my faith, we believe in the power of prayer and fasting. Typically, we fast at least once a mon...