Winter will surely give way to the warmth and hope of a new spring – I am optimistic about the future.

What a fantastic story from his youth.

Sometimes our greatest growth comes during out greatest challenges.

Two principles to overcoming and growing through challenges

1. Work
• Work can help take the mind off the difficulties
• Those who are unafraid to roll up their sleeves and lose themselves in the pursuit of worthwhile goals are a blessing to their families, communities, nations, and to the Church.
• Let us cultivate a reputation for excellence in everything we do.
• Retirement is not part of the Lord’s plan of happiness “been there, done that … this sort of thinking is unworthy of a disciple of Christ
  1. Learn
  • Education is not so much the filling of a bucket as the lighting of a fire
  • For members of the church education is not just a good idea, but a commandment – you have a duty to learn as much as you can.

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  I wonder how the physical exercise was hiddenly benefitting him.

  Work is an antidote for anxiety, an ointment for sorrow, and a doorway to possibility.

  Whatever our circumstances in life, my dear brethren, let us do the best we can and cultivate a reputation for excellence in all that we do.
  When our wagon gets stuck in the mud, God is much more likely to assist the man who gets out to push than the man who merely raises his voice in prayer – no matter how eloquent the oration.
  Retirement is not part of the Lord’s plan of happiness. There is no sabbatical or retirement program from priesthood responsibilities – regardless of age or physical capacity. While the phrase “been there, done that” may work as an excuse to avoid skateboarding, decline the invitation for a motorbike ride, or bypass the spicy curry at the buffet, it is not an acceptable excuse for avoiding covenant responsibilities to consecrate our time, talents, and resources in the work of the kingdom of God…

  There may be those who, after many years of Church service, believe they are entitled to a period of rest while others pull the weight. To put it bluntly, brethren, this sort of thinking is unworthy of a disciple of Christ.

  In those days I understood firsthand the words of an old saying: Education is not so much the filling of a bucket as the lighting of a fire.

  Brethren, you have a duty to learn as much as you can. Please encourage your families, your quorum members, everyone to learn and become better educated. If formal education is not available, do not allow that to prevent you from acquiring all the knowledge you can. Under such circumstances, the best books, in a sense, can become your “university” – a classroom that is always open and admits all who apply. Strive to increase your knowledge of all that is “virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.” Seek knowledge “by study and also by faith.”

  When he said this I thought this did not apply to me with my degrees but I realize I was wrong – I must continue to learn from the best books.

  it is often in the trial of adversity that we learn those most critical lessons that form our character and shape our destiny.