OPTIMISTIC :)
-1 January 2022 Colorado Forest Fire in the winter time destroys nearly 1,000 homes followed by a foot of snow the next day!
-4 January 2022 Major snow storm in Virginia stands motorists in 10+ inches of snow for 50 miles traffic jam along I-95 corridor with no way to send help. Sudden snow dump and ice, plows could not keep up with snowfall, ice, cars stuck, trucks jack knifed and fallen trees across roads.
-15 January 2022 Iowa sees heaviest snowfall in 50 years.
-15 January 2022 Undersea Volcano explodes in Tonga sending tsunami across Pacific Ocean.
-COVID and it's current variant omricon killing thousands around the world and making millions sick. Still overwhelming hospitals, doctors and nurses. Millions still refuse to wear masks.
-Labor shortage. Nobody wants to work low paying, service industry jobs. Burger King paying $18/hr to flip burgers in Utah.
-Supply chain impacts from COVID, seeing some empty shelves in stores. Most prices have risen 7-10% over last year.
-Thousands of flights were cancelled over the holidays due to COVID and bad weather, stranding travelers and interrupting travel plans.
-Average cost of gas in the US was $2.42/gallon January 2021. Average gas price is $3.39/gallon January 2022.
-Inflation in the US was 1.23% in 2021. Skyrocketed to year-over-year inflation rate to 7.04% in 2022.
-Rumors of war in Ukraine. Russia is preparing to invade Ukraine.
...........And this is just the first two weeks of 2022 !
There are many things we can take away. For me, I see the importance or drawing closer to the Lord. Drawing closer to my family. Treating others with greater kindness. Forgiving more and overlooking my faults and the mistakes of others. If you like the scriptures, then we see evidence of living in the last days (Latter Days) that were prophesied by Prophets in the Bible and Book of Mormon.
Of course the physical lessons are not lost on me as well and include, What can I do if we lost power for a couple weeks? How would I heat the house? Do I have water for two weeks? Do I have food for two weeks? Can I help my family and neighbors if I am prepared? Is my gas tank full before I depart into a storm? Do I need to travel in bad weather? If God has given the gift of medicine and medical care, do I do all I can to take advantage of that?
Maybe you can't change others, but you can change yourself. Sometimes you can change over night and sometimes it takes time. But you can control you, your reactions, emotions, preparedness and closeness to God. The days feel like they are shortening and the turmoils are increasing. When I start to get worried or discouraged, I reflect on the words of our living prophet Russell M. Nelson and past prophets. Each speak of hope, excitement and are optimistic for the future. Yes, there will be things which might discourage us, but don't look at the darkness, focus on the light and that light comes from Jesus Christ and obedience to His commandments.
I hope you enjoy some quotes and talks by our leaders to reinforce your optimism for the future!
https://www.deseret.com/faith/2020/3/14/21180106/president-nelson-coronavirus-message-mormon-lds-church-covid-19-pandemic
https://www.deseret.com/faith/2021/3/11/21589795/during-covid19-pandemic-president-nelson-shared-empathy-optimism-22-times-latter-day-saints
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/2018/06/look-forward-to-the-future-with-faith?lang=eng
https://latterdaysaintinsights.byu.edu/en/how-can-i-be-optimistic-about-the-future/
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2009/05/be-of-good-cheer?lang=eng
https://www.thechurchnews.com/living-faith/2020-10-18/tad-r-callister-optimism-turbulent-times-covid-19-195477
https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/gordon-b-hinckley/lord-helm/
https://www.thechurchnews.com/archives/2001-03-31/limitless-is-your-potential-magnificent-is-your-future-115126
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/topics/humanitarian-service/helping-hands?lang=eng
https://www.sltrib.com/news/2022/01/22/church-jesus-christ/
https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/mormon-inner-city-project-blesses-lives
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/relief-society?lang=eng
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