Smith Family 2013 Christmas Letter

DATE: Wednesday, 11.27.2013

TO: Commissioner S. Claus (aka Pere Noel, Kris K., Jolly Old St. Nick, the Big Man Himself)

FROM: Committee on the Ethical Distribution of Christmas Cheer 3.0

SUBJECT: David and Elizabeth Smith Family Christmas 2013 Status

Most honorable, venerable Commissioner of Naughty and Nice,

Three years have come and gone since we, the Committee on the Ethical Distribution of Christmas Cheer, last conducted a full assessment of the Smith Family. As a recap, they not only obtained Nice status, but became the pinnacle of all Niceness from that point forward. In impressive fashion, they managed to raise the bar for Niceness to unbelievable heights, rendering it almost impossible for others to follow suit (Amazingly this was paralleled by their equal growth in humility). Due to this unforeseen development, the committee was asked to again scrutinize extremely closely, once and for all, the Smith clan. They did not disappoint. Included is the evidence we uncovered during the past 11 months that displays the sheer magnitude of their Niceness. We seek your approval, since the ultimate decision requires a higher pay grade than we possess.

Name (nickname):       Cambria (Beauty, Sweetest)       

Age:                             16 months         Occupation:    Most adorable angel this side of heaven

Likes:                          Babies, bears, smiling, giggling, squealing, snuggling, doling out kisses

Accomplishments:       Became ambulatory and is now a connoisseur of “big people” food …expanding her vocabulary exponentially each passing week…easily demonstrated the most growth in the family—and it wasn’t even close…heart issues are under control…wrapped the entire family around her little finger.

Name (nickname):       Stockton (Little Man, Buddy)

Age:                             Four                 Occupation:    The Boy

Likes:                          Trains, cars, planes, sports, biking, swimming, being Daddy’s shadow        

Accomplishments:       Overcame two trips to the ER with great aplomb, including an adventurous ride in an ambulance…a walking quote machine…potty-certified…started joy school, a computer class and Sunbeams…working hard to gain literacy proficiency…exerting his boy-ness amongst a bevy of girls.

Name (nickname):       Tayah (Dolly)

Age:                             Six                    Occupation:    First grader

Likes:                          School, books, socializing, laughing, loving life, her red hair and all it entails

Accomplishments:       By moving to first grade, doubled her elementary credit hours…bilingually blooming thanks to her dual English/Spanish immersion program…lost her first teeth…with Kadence, made her Jr. Jazz debut and took swimming lessons…her incredible imagination leads to extraordinary adventures.

Name (nickname):       Kadence (Princess)

Age:                             Seven                Occupation:    Second grader

Likes:                          Creating things, learning Spanish (same program), reading, singing, big sistering

Accomplishments:       Liked her father’s glasses so much that she obtained a pair for herself…with Tayah, taking piano lessons and attending craft club…a stellar student…reads voraciously and has penned many literary masterpieces, even winning an award for a poem…teeming with anticipation for her baptism.

Name (nickname):       Elizabeth (Mommy, Sweetheart)

Age:                             Not saying         Occupation:    Mother of the year, family CEO

Likes:                          Enjoying a good book, serving, exercise and chocolate (not simultaneously)

Accomplishments:       Serving as Personal Progress Advisor in Young Women’s…not only kept four kids seven and under alive, but thriving…played volleyball and basketball with ward teams…master planner of and packer for several family vacations…many projects inside and outside the house…serves on PTA board.

Name (nickname):       David (Daddy, Honey)

Age:                             A mystery          Occupation:    Donor Stewardship Officer at LDS Philanthropies

Likes:                          Being a father, studying, social media, the Celestial sport of basketball

Accomplishments:       Managed to stay awake during his monthly High Council talks; the same may not be said about the congregations…learning patience while covering the rebuilding Utah Jazz for the Deseret News and Salt City Hoops.com…thoroughly enjoying his new position at work.

                                     

Miscellaneous Family Notes

·         Made the annual jaunt to Disneyland. Mickey and Minnie knows them on a first name basis 

·         Attended three family reunions and a week at Lake Powell, all within one month

·         Constantly creating memories as a family through fun excursions and every-day joys. Some challenges and learning experiences, but so many blessings—too many to quantify.

·         Made the bittersweet decision to build a new house in Spanish Fork, Utah. Sources say that they are excited for change, but very sad to leave an incredible neighborhood, ward and stake

It is apparent that the Smith family has indeed redefined Nice. We faithfully submit this report, eager to hear the Commissioner’s decision. Feel free to “check it twice.”

Buddy the Elf                           Jack Frost                                  Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future             Kevin McAllister

Clarence the Angel                    Lucy Moderatz                          Perry Como                                                              C. Dickens               

Should the Commissioner (or other interested parties) wish to correspond with the Smiths without accessing the chimney, their contact information is listed here.

elizabethtsmith@gmail.com and davidj_smith@ldschurch.org

www.smithfamilyroyalty.blogspot.com (they may need to work on updating this more frequently)

After February

Spanish Fork, Utah

The Committee’s findings also indicate that the Smiths love their family and friends immensely and wish for them a holiday season full of happiness, health and peace. It would appear that they also want to wish them all a

MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR! (exclamation mark assumed)

Giving Tuesday

Oh my goodness, we are terrible. It has been ages since we posted on this blog. Our sincere apologies to our four or five followers out there :). We'll try to do better. In fact, we will most likely be starting a new blog in the new year. There is much to catch up on, but we'll save that for another time.

We hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. We hope those who braved the crowds survived Black Friday. And yesterday, of course, was Cyber Monday. Well, today is Giving Tuesday-- a day set aside to focus on helping others through charitable causes. What a wonderful idea, not that I'm biased whatsoever! It is a great day to make a philanthropic contribution to your favorite causes.

As you all know, I've spent my whole career with LDS Philanthropies, a department of the Office of the Presiding Bishopric. I could not ask for a better place to work. I truly love what I do. To be a front-row witness of philanthropy in action is a dream come true. Philanthropy literally means, "the love of mankind." It's a chance to share of one's abundance to bless the lives of others. It is a divine principle that I love.

LDS Philanthropies exists to encourage and facilitate charitable contributions outside of tithing and fast offerings. This includes:

• Brigham Young University
• Brigham Young University-Idaho
• Brigham Young University-Hawaii
• LDS Business College
• LDS Charities (such as Humanitarian Aid, Wheelchairs, Clean Water, Food Initiatives, Vision Care, Neonatal Resuscitation Training, Immunization)
• Missionary Fund
• Perpetual Education Fund
• LDS Temple Donations 
• Gift Planning (for those who have named one of the aforementioned areas in their estate plans. If you've included one of the schools, let me know...we'd love to involve you in our legacy societies)

There are so many amazing people out there supporting these causes. These are donors of the LDS faith and those great people of other faiths. Some may feel that giving is mostly for the affluent. The truth is that giving is for everyone. One of my favorite passages in the scriptures is that of the Widow's Mite. We're all familiar with it. But think about the example of this consecrated humble disciple. How powerful is what she did, and how powerful was it that the Savior recognized her sacrifice. 

I was in a meeting many years ago where we were remind that. when people give, (1) it helps remind them that they have enough, and to spare, and (2) it allows them to be agents in building up the Kingdom. There was also a BYU forum where Arthur Brooks, a social scientist and musician, talked about Why Giving Matters. As he states, we become happier, healthier, and more prosperous when we give. Giving not only helps the beneficiaries, but it also blesses the benefactors or the givers themselves. 

If you wish to support any of these causes, feel free to visit our website. Or if you have any specific questions, feel free to contact me. Or if you have other causes you support, that is terrific! There are so many worthy efforts that help others. 

Have a great #GivingTuesday!

Phillip Phillips - Home (Piano/Cello Cover) - ThePianoGuys

Yet another masterpiece from the The Piano Guys. Beautiful music in a beautiful setting. Everything they touch turns to gold!

Our Latest Movie Reviews

It's been a while since we shared some of our movie reviews (it's been a while since we posted on that blog, but that's a different story altogether!). Like 10 months or so. As a result, some of these came out a while ago. Do forgive us.

So, without further ado, here you have them:

OUR FAVORITE: Downton Abbey. So it's not really a movie, but we are DA devotees.

LOVED: Won't Back Down, Arthur Christmas, Jiro Dreams of Sushi (incredible biography), Masterpiece Classic: The Diary of Anne Frank

LIKED: Brave, Wreck-It Ralph, The Avengers, Source Code, For Keeps, Now is Good, The Words, Trouble With the Curve, Abel's Field, A Mile in His Shoes, Hachi: A Dog's Tale, Pray for Japan

WORTH SEEING ONCE: Taken 2, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Robot and Frank, Moonrise Kingdom, People Like Us, What to Expect When You're Expecting, The Lucky One (Elizabeth liked his a lot more than I did :), Broken Hill, Warrior, Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer

DIDN'T LIKE: Salmon Fishing in Yemen, Hope Springs, Snow White and the Huntsman, Girl in Progress, Bernie, LOL

AVOID AT ALL COSTS: Damsels in Distress

Mountains to Climb

Life is full of twists and turns, ups and downs. Sometimes we feel absolute joy and elation in the journey. At other times, we go through difficulties and challenges so severe we sometimes don't think we will survive. Faith in Heavenly Father and in our Savior Jesus Christ can make the ultimate difference. It can help us maintain an eternal perspective that lifts us.

We can do much good in alleviating others' pains and sorrows. Look around you. Chances are someone near you is suffering. Service can be a balm. Prayer can be a help. Don't underestimate the influence you can have on another, even through a smile.

We are all in this life together. I know our Father in Heaven and our oldest brother both love us more than we can comprehend. In this, I have faith.

Happy Birthday to our Kadence!

Seven years ago today, one of our life's dreams came true: a baby girl joined our family. Happy Birthday to our sweet Kadence! We cannot comprehend how fast the time is flying. We are so blessed to have you. We love your giggles, your diligence at school, how you put your heart into things you are doing (writing stories, drawing, learning Spanish, etc), and how you dote over Cambria.

You are such a beautiful, kind, smart, loving daughter, sister, granddaughter, and friend. Words cannot properly express how much Mommy and Daddy, as well as Tayah, Stockton, and Cambria love you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRINCESS!

02.13.06, the day Heavenly Father sent you to us

See, you (and Tayah and Stockton) were just as adorable a baby as Cambria is!

Clasic falling asleep at the table

Five years old beauty

Daddy/daughter dates are among our most special times.

Earthly Father, Heavenly Father

I cannot tell you how much I love being a father. This Mormon Message captures so many of the feelings I have each day, knowing that I am the Daddy to four beautiful children. I cherish it. That's not to say that there are not difficult or challenging times and I most definitely have many shortcomings. Thankfully, love, joy, gratitude, and humility outweigh those feelings. As this beautiful video states, fatherhood is divine responsibility and I constantly pray that I can be the father our children need and deserve. I love being a Daddy!

Christmas 2012 Activities

Okay, so this entry is as much for us as it is for you. Here is a list of all the Christmas activities which helped make for us a marvelous, magical, and memorable Noel:

• The Festival of Trees
• Temple Square lights and walking around the very Christmasy City Creek
• The Messiah Sing-In at Abravanel Hall
• The Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert with Alfie Boe and Tom Brokow. Oh, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir :). 
• The First Presidency Christmas devotional.
• Black Friday shopping
• Elayna and Aubrey's ballet performance in the Nutcracker 
• The Festival of Lights in Spanish Fork
• BYU's Christmas party
• Christmas at Nauvoo program at BYU
• Ryan Shupe and the RubberBand concert at the Covey Center
• Our ward Christmas party
• Gingerbread house at our great friends, the Wilkins', house
• Elizabeth and I singing in our ward Christmas program
• The Utah County Christmas Craft Show
• Utah County Handbell Ringers concert at the Springville Museum of Art
• Nelson Family Christmas party
• Our regular Christmas Eve dinner and nativity
• Christmas get-together at Dad and Donna's house
• Christmas cards and neighborhood gifts
• The wonderful cadre of Christmas movies
• Non-stop Christmas music
• I was able to do the 12 Days of Christmas for the ninth straight year for Elizabeth and the kids. Have to be creative more and more these days!
• Too much food

It was the best Christmas yet, and we have no doubts that this will be the case again in 2013!

Things We Love About Our Children

There are so many things we love about our children. Here are just a few that come readily to mind this morning.

Here's us playing with the webcam feature... :)

Cambria: her heart-melting smiles; the way she pats our cheeks without knowing she is doing so; her patience with some siblings who love to "take care of her;" how sweet and mellow she is, crying only when she's hungry or tired; the way she beams at everyone.

Stockton: the way he runs as fast as he can, whether is does the street or from the couch to the dining table--gives it his all!; how he still snuggles on demand; how easily he goes to bed; the way he carries around his blankie.

Tayah: She is such a helper; we've seen a dramatic decrease in fit-throwing and an equally great increase in sweetness!; how she asks how we are doing; how determined she is when she is working on a project; the way she dances to keep Cambria happy; our extrovert!

Kadence: She's Cambria's second mother--so nurturing and loving, she just dotes on her baby sister; what a voracious reader. Sometimes we have to pry books out of her hands; so dainty; she sings with all her heart...and is starting to get better with pitch :); so shy in public and anything but at home.

Mission Impossible (Piano/Cello/Violin) ft. Lindsey Stirling - ThePianoGuys

Elizabeth and I LOVE the Piano Guys. Here is yet another wonderful, hilarious, and awesome video and arrangement. They have so much fun doing what they do. And they do it so well. Enjoy!

2012 Smith Family Christmas Letter: By The Numbers

In case you haven't seen it yet, here is our 2012 Christmas letter and photo. We truly hope you all had magical Christmases with your loved ones. Happy New Year, too!

THE SMITH FAMILY’S 2012: BY THE NUMBERS

8 lb, 13 oz            Our adorable angel, Cambria, joined the Smith Family fun on 07.16. We simply could not ask for a sweeter, happier baby. She had some early health issues, but is doing great now. Her siblings love her to pieces, literally and figuratively. She is joy!

1,276                    Miles from our home to Disneyland (roundtrip). We made our annual February pilgrimage to “The Happiest Place on Earth” and had an incredibly magical time there together. 

2 hrs, 15 min     Amount of time Tayah attends kindergarten each day. We cannot believe how quickly our children are growing up! Our spunky redhead loves her English/Spanish immersion class, her teacher, her friends, playing, and being five.

37                           Page number of the BYU Magazine fall issue where all the Smith women—Elizabeth, Kadence, Tayah, and even Cambria (though not visible J)—are featured in an ad.

100%...                 …BOY: our Stockton. In the midst of all the femaleness that surrounds him is our little man. What an active, wonderful, cuddly boy we have! Stockton turned three, loves sports, anything with wheels, and being Daddy’s partner in crime.

7                             Years we have loved living in Springville, Utah—and loved is an understatement. We are amazed by the stellar examples of our neighbors and 20^th Ward friends. So very blessed.

1^st                           Grade for Kadence. Hard to believe our oldest goes to school all-day now. She reads 24/7, is bueno in her Spanish studies, and is a budding artist. Our shy girl is starting to break more out of her shell. Kadence just dotes on her baby sister.

Once…                   -in-a-lifetime experience when David went to a game as a guest of Utah Jazz owner Greg Miller. They sat on the 1st row and were on TV. David still enjoys writing a Deseret News article for each game, while blogging and writing for the Utah Jazz website.

#1                           Elizabeth is easily the world’s best wife and mother (no bias here). Besides being Mommy to four children six-years and under, she teaches Primary, takes care of Activity Days, serves on the PTA Board, and always has projects inside and outside the house.

10 (+1)                 Ladies at the Torgesen Girls Only Party. Elizabeth (and Cambria) enjoyed a well-deserved vacation with her mother, sisters, and sisters-in-law down in Houston. Four days of games, food, evenings out, painting, crafts, visiting, and bonding.

10-4                       After 10 years in Annual Giving, the past four as Director, David accepted a new position at LDS Philanthropies. While a bittersweet change, he is excited to be a Donor Stewardship Officer, working more with donors and legacy societies.

Innumerable     Diapers we changed this year; people David put to sleep with his monthly High Council talks; “time-outs” administered; smiles, laughs, and memories shared as a family.  

We hope this Christmas letter finds you all well, happy, and loving life. You each bless our lives in many immeasurable ways—so many that we simply cannot quantify. May this be a beautiful season for you!

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

With love,

David, Elizabeth, Kadence, Tayah, Stockton, and Cambria Smith

O Come, Emmanuel - Christmas Version - ThePianoGuys

In the summertime, our entire LDS Philanthropies team was given a special tour of the Jerusalem Set down in Goshen. This is the place where all the touching, amazing, and penetrating Church Bible videos are filmed. It was a spiritual experience and may prove to be the closest I ever come to the Holy City itself. Who knows?

Anyway, this video combines that remarkable locale with images of our Savior's birth and the music of our family's favorite musicians: the Piano Guys. If you have no taken this in yet, prepare to be moved, perhaps to tears. Just a beautiful reminder of Jesus Christ and how very much He loves us.

Merry Christmas!

Rudolph - Merry Christmas - ThePianoGuys

To get you in the Christmas mood, if you're not already, Scrooge!

O Come, Emmanuel - (Piano/Cello) - ThePianoGuys

A beautiful song to help you feel the joy of Christmas, featuringJon Schmidt, Steven Sharp Nelson, and the Piano Guys. Filmed at the Church's remarkable Jerusalem set. Very touching.

Family Photo Fun

First off, here is our family photo for our annual Christmas letter (which we'll post in due time). Elizabeth did a fantastic job, going from one store to another to get us matching so well. We had originally intended to have our family pictures taken that day outdoors, but Mother Nature did not comply. Thanks to our good neighbor, Matt, for snapping this shot for us.

Hurricane Sandy- Mormon Helping Hands

If you have eight minutes, this is an amazing way to spend it. I wholeheartedly adhere to the belief that people are inherently good. When tragedy strikes, it unites us. The best in us can emerge and in doing so, we see the Savior's visage in our countenance. This video shows that. The Mormon Helping Hands is a tremendous brand, because when I see those vests, I see power, honor, and warm hearts.  

Lessons for Daddy

This last week, Elizabeth and Cambria were able to have a well-deserved vacation, joining up with Elizabeth's mother, sisters, and sister-in-law for the biannual Torgesen Girls Weekend. Hopefully Elizabeth will take the time to blog about their adventures (hint, hint; nudge, nudge). I am glad that she had this time, for with four little ones, she needed the chance to recharge her batteries.

In the meantime, while I was able to spend time with our sweet kids those four days, I was privy to some important, meaningful, and amazing lessons.

• No matter how long, difficult, complex, or challenging a day we fathers may have at work, they most often pale in comparison to the days our wives experience.
• Playing in the snow together is rejuvenating. Snowballs, snow angels, frozen digits, and big boots. One of the best parts is the hot chocolate (with marshmallows, of course). And snuggling afterward.
• I loved getting to know our adorable children even better. Such personalities!
• For instance, our kids, including Stockton, enjoy Rom Coms. Two of our movie nights were spent watching "Sleepless in Seattle" and "One Fine Day"--both of their choosing!
• Every child is going to have a fit each day. There is no escaping that.
• Every parent is going to have a "moment" each day. There is no escaping that.
• Breakfast for dinner? Yes, please!
• Siblings just have an innate ability to push each other's buttons. Multiple times a day.
• Elizabeth does so much and I'm grateful for every bit of it. From teaching our children vital lessons, listening to them, nurturing them, chauffeuring them, Band-Aiding them, and sitting alone at church with these angels the past 6 1/2 years...you are wonderful!
• Patience is a virtue, and sometimes I'm not as "virtuous" as I'd like to be.
• We are all--children and parents--works in progress. 
• Bedtime can be among the most frustrating times. But more often than not, they can be the most spiritual moments. A sleeping child is one of the most beautiful sights I've ever beheld. So peaceful. 
• Stockton and I loved our alone time while the girls were at school, including basketball at the church. This will undoubtedly be a constant for us over the next several decades :). 
• Children love being given responsibilities. It is so important we teach them how to work.
• The simplest things are the best things.  
• There is no greater feeling than that moment when you are reunited together as a family. Each and every member of the family is irreplaceable and precious. All the more reason to work hard together to have eternity and forever as a family. 
• There are so many helps in life: Church, school teachers, loving neighbors, Primary, etc. But the responsibility of raising our children up in righteousness rests squarely on the shoulders of the parents. We cannot pass this on to anyone else. It is a sacred calling. We have been charged to raise these precious children of our Heavenly Father, to teach them principles, and to love them. 
• Of all the joys I've experienced in life, nothing compares to being a husband and father. I LOVE BEING a DADDY!

Catching Up, Yet Again

Here is our family the day we blessed our baby Cambria, Sunday, September 2, 2012. We love our four sweet children! Nice of our scarecrows to photo bomb our family shot.

We have woefully gotten out of the habit of sharing our updates, so today is the day to do so. Life is going very well for us. Cambria has infused our family with so much joy. She is a sweet, sweet baby who coos, smiles, and melts our hearts constantly.

Two days after she was born, our pediatrician told us he heard a heart murmur. A few hours later, she and I were in a dark room where they administered an echocardiogram. It was determined later that night that she had two small holes in the wall the connected her ventricles. This is called Ventricular Septal Defect or VSD. This caused us lots of worry, but things appear to be under control. We're visiting with a pediatric cardiologist and he is optimistic that, like many cases of VSD, the holes will close up naturally. It is adorable to hear Tayah pray "Please help Cambria's little holes in her heart, that they will get better."

Beyond that, she had some early challenges feeding and gaining weight, but we're thrilled at the progress she is making. Elizabeth is amazing! We cannot go far or be gone long, but this little angel is worth every bit of it.

We blessed her in early September and loved having Elizabeth's parents stay with us for a week, along with some other family. We loved sharing our special day with those closest to us!

The girls with some BYU cheerleaders at the annual
Cougar Kickoff. Go Cougars!

Kadence and Tayah have started school and are loving it! Kadence has adjusted well to 1st grade and going to school all day. She enjoys all her subjects, is reading at a very high level (level K), loves art and music, eating lunch in the cafeteria, and going all day long. Tayah jumped right into Spanish/English immersion and is learning a lot. Both are making good friends, with Kadence being our shy girl and Tayah being, well, Tayah--outgoing and vivacious!

Stockton really enjoys being at home alone with Mommy. We could not ask for a sweeter, more fun boy than our little man. He will snuggle on request and always wants to "keep eye on Cambria!"

I experienced a shock at work. After 10 years in the Annual Giving office, the past four as the Director, I was asked to assume a different role, that of a Donor Engagement Officer. The goal in mind is to help give me experiences in different facets of LDS Philanthropies, so I can be a better asset and leader now and in the future. This position is in charge of our legacy societies for the four Church school, meaning people who leave BYU, BYU-Hawaii, BYU-Idaho, or LDS Business College in their wills, trusts, etc. Furthermore, I'll have the opportunity of working with and stewarding some of our amazing donors. This is a whole new world for me. The move has been absolutely bittersweet. Those who know me know that change is always something that hits me hard. Transfers on the mission were rough, because the love I had for the people. This is similar. I have loved what I've done for so long--essentially my entire professional career--as well as the people with whom I worked. For the first time in 12 years, I will no longer directly involved with the Telefund and the students there. Lots of sadness for those reasons, but excitement and optimism for the potential possibilities ahead. We are transitioning right now and in the next few weeks, everything will be official.

Other events: Brigham City Temple Dedication; Stake Conference; a few BYU Football games.

Kidisms:

Tayah:  "Daddy, you need to go to work to make lots of money really fast!"
Kadence: "Mommy, everything is made in China!"
Tayah: "Don't worry, Daddy...I'm not going to grow up for a few days."
Kadence: "What is Feed-ex?" (Fed-Ex)
Tayah: "When I get married, you can come visit me."
Stockton: "Daddy, we are boys, so we're on the same team. We are best friends!"
Stockton: "We are the go-getters!"

We truly feel blessed for all the experiences we are having, but grand and challenging. We are learning a lot of valuable lessons. Above all, nothing is better than being together as a family. That makes everything just marvelous!

BYU Choose to Give Week!

Today kicks off our annual Choose to Give student giving campaign at BYU! Here is an outstanding video that talks about the campaign. We are grateful for each person who gives, be they students, employees, students, or friends. Even though our students may sometimes not have much, it is a blessing to give of oneself to help another. Last year, students helped provide 16 scholarships for other students. Love it! Please share the word with any current BYU students you know!

The Will of God

Given some recent developments in our lives (more details forthcoming on this blog), this inspired message from Elder D. Todd Christofferson was the message I needed to hear this morning. Hindsight is 20/20, while foresight is not. We all need to trust in Heavenly Father's will and where He wants to take us. It has been an up-and-down week for us due to some changes at work and I am trying to have faith in Him, so that I will let Him guide us down the paths He wishes us to go. Sometimes easier said than done.