for my girls

This world is scary. There is just no denying it. There are days when I'm terrified of what it is becoming. Most days I try to stay on the bright side, but then another devastating newsflash sweeps the nation.  Another act of violence, of hatred. I admit my enormous ignorance, but I do understand that there are people in other places that experience hatred and violence on a normal, every day basis. How can I protect my sweet, innocent girls from the corruption and confusion of this world?

Well, first of all, I can teach them, and show them, and tell them the stories of all of our travels and experiences. We've met people from all over the world. We've sat down with refugees as they related their devastating tale. I've seen the good. I've seen the hand of God. Everywhere. We all have.

So, how can I shield them from all that bad stuff? I guess the better question, and the more realistic one, is this: how can I send my girls out into this world, equipped with the armor they need to protect themselves from the evil, and to even dispel it with light and goodness?

I canNOT protect them from everything. And even if I could, they really wouldn't be living. What I CAN do is try my very hardest to create a home where the love they feel from their parents, and most importantly, their Savior, is stronger than any evil.

I can try to live with a smile on my face, a smile that is derived from my true source of joy. And teach them that my JOY comes from my knowledge that we are all children of a loving Heavenly Father. He will give us the strength we need to fight this battle. He will be on our side until the very end, and His love and guidance will remind us that good will always trump evil. That's not to say He will stop every trial and affliction from happening. Because he gave us the gift of agency, and honors that gift. He won't take away another person's ability to act out on deeply painful feelings. But he can comfort and engulf us in His love when we are so sadly affected by the choices of others.

Please remember that, dear girls, and you will be able to overcome any sorrow, frustration, depression, or anger that will ever threaten your happiness. Remember, and smile.