While sitting in the movie theater watching "Admission" with Lori and Whitney yesterday (it wasn't really a kid show) I leaned over to Whitney and said, "Usually something bad has to happen before something good can". I was explaining a basic theme in story telling, but really for life as well.
Fast forward to today's Sacrament Meeting where one of our much-beloved youth was speaking because he is about to leave for a mission to Atlanta, GA. He told a amazing story of a kayaking trip the 16-18 year old Young Men took a couple years in Oregon. The river was dangerously high and fast, and they all had some near-death experiences. After one particularly terrifying experience he found himself on the shore scared out of his mind and asking God where He'd gone?! He was angry about his near-death experience and scared that more were to come since they still had 70 miles of river to traverse before finishing the trip. He told us how this experience had humbled him greatly and made him rethink his relationship with the Lord.
But here he is two years later giving a farewell talk weeping and saying that Jesus Christ is one of his best friends and that he is grateful he had that awful experience. It was powerful and thought provoking. It has got me thinking about life-altering experiences that have changed me, and what part I play in the lives of others. Needless to say I'm a weepy mess.
2 comments:
It's nice that you felt inspired. I felt like one more reason to hate dangerous young men's activities. I'm not ok with our boys being put at risk... and you know how I feel about trials.
Sorry to take away from your spiritual post. You are in a much better place than I am...
We had a sweet missionary farewell on Sunday too and I was so impressed with the young man who is about to leave. It is amazing to see the testimonies that they have.
And I am with Amie a littl....why do they take the boys on such dangerous adventures?? Holy Cow, that makes a mom worry!
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