I think I can...

When we were in Ephrata this past weekend, the kids attempted to climb a steep hill at the park we were playing at.


Ethan was bound and determined to make it up that hill. It wasn't too steep at the bottom. But as he went up it got harder and harder.


At times he slid back and even fell down.


But it didn't deter him from continuing on. I was so proud of him. He was a force to be reckoned with!



As I watched him climb and struggle with that hill, I was reminded of the scripture found in 2Nephi 31:20. It says:

20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

I was reminded that along the path of life, we will have struggles and trials. Sometimes it seems so much easier to give up, let go, and give in to the trial. But when we do so, we lose the opportunity for growth and learning. I find it interesting that in the above scripture, it doesn't just say that we must press forward... but that we should do so with a "perfect brightness of hope". I take that to mean that we really should embrace our trials as opposed to whining about them. We need to have a good attitude and be cheerful through the hard times. And when we overcome those challenges, we can smile and look back and see how far we've come. We can feel a sense of pride and accomplishment and know that we are better for it. Ethan's face and attitude certainly show how he felt about his climb up the hillside. When he got to the top he shouted quite loudly "I'm the king of the wooooorrrrld!" I learn so much from him.



He inspired his dad, his brother, and his cousins to follow him up there! He inspires me on a daily basis! I love you Ethan!

And just for fun... this is what his pants looked like when he got done!