Tag Archive for: endurance

The Stones Remain

One of our favourite experiences over the last few days has been spending a wee bit of time again with my missionary companion Marty Andrews and his wife Wendy.
Each day we carve out an hour or two to spend together.
One favourite moment for Marty and me was at the Palmyra, New York Temple, overlooking the Sacred Grove and the Joseph Smith Family Home.
Forty-one years ago, in a small, forested area near Saffron Walden in England, as young missionaries, Marty and I shared a moment that was sacred to us as we knelt in prayer together.
There were no heavenly manifestations like those experienced by Joseph Smith, but there came a powerful and unmistakable knowledge that the work in which we were engaged was indeed true.
And now, four decades later, we found ourselves walking together through another forest, this time beside the temple in Palmyra.

Memories

As we walked, memories and tears flooded back. We were overwhelmed by our thoughts and emotions as we embraced and reflected on the sacred nature of all that had happened in our lives since those early days as missionaries.
Marty explained the significance of a line of stones piled together along the edge of the forest. Just over 200 years ago, as recorded in journals of the day, Joseph Smith and members of his family cleared that very land in preparation for planting crops. The stones they removed were gathered and placed along the boundary of the field.
Resting there on the edge of the forest, they looked almost like a defensive wall.
We gazed upon the stones for a while and sat upon them considering what message there was in that moment for us.
For nearly two centuries those stones have remained where they were placed.
Generations have come and gone. Seasons have changed. Storms, snow and sunshine have all left their mark. Yet the stones remain.
We could only imagine the toil and sacrifice required to clear that land. Day after day, Joseph and his family would have lifted countless stones from the soil, carrying them one by one to the edge of the field. It must have been demanding work, but necessary if something worthwhile was to grow.

Testimonies

As we sat there, I wondered if testimonies are built in much the same way.
Rarely are they formed in a single dramatic moment. More often they are built stone by stone through prayer, service, scripture study, obedience, sacrifice and countless small acts of faith. Over time, those experiences are gathered together until they form something strong enough to withstand the seasons of life.
Much has changed since our prayer together in 1985 in Saffron Walden. Life has brought joy and sorrow, success and disappointment, unexpected blessings and difficult challenges. Yet the witness we received that day remains.
Perhaps that is one of the purposes of sacred experiences. They become spiritual stones of remembrance that we can return to throughout our lives, reminding us of what we once knew and still know to be true.
As Marty and I sat together on those old stones overlooking the temple and the Sacred Grove, we felt grateful – not only for testimonies that have endured, but for a friendship that has flourished.
Some things, when built upon a sure foundation, grow stronger with time.
Which experiences have become the foundation stones of your testimony?

Hope in Extra Time

Yesterday, I found myself back at Hampden Park for the first time in many years.
Dunfermline vs Falkirk in the Scottish Cup semi-final.
Fans on both sides were filled with hope for a victory.
Kyle and Emily drove all the way up from Liverpool to see the game!
It had everything that you’d expect from a semifinal match – noise, colour, scarves in the air, and above all that shared sense of anticipation.
We bumped into a few familiar faces from Dunfermline too.
But the game itself… it was very tight, and to be honest… it wasn’t a great spectacle!
It certainly wasn’t a classic, nor one that I will rush to watch again.
90 minutes passed and it was still 0-0.
An extra 30 minutes played out too – then it was penalties.
Those tense few minutes turned into an incredible celebration victory for the Pars!
Unbelievably – they won!
As I drove home, I found myself thinking about how much of life feels a bit like that.
Dunfermline’s fans hopes were fulfilled with joyful smiles, laughter and singing all the way home with their eyes now firmly set on the final in a few weeks’ time.
Whilst the Falkirk fans… well, their hopes were dashed.
They left more quietly, with their heads lowered, carrying the disappointment of what might have been… and yet, perhaps, still holding on to the thought of better days ahead.
So, what is Hope?
In a general sense, I think hope is a feeling of desire and confident expectation that something good will happen in the future, a belief even that a specific desired outcome is indeed possible.
This morning, my mind turned to a more spiritual definition, it is the Sabbath after all.
The Gospel sense of hope is different.
“Happy is he,” said the Psalmist, “that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God.” (Psalm 146:5)
Hope isn’t a certainty we can prove, but a quiet, steady trust that the Lord, Jesus Christ will do exactly what He has promised.
I know that with hope we can find joy in this life as we trust in God’s promises.
So perhaps, whatever “extra time” you find yourself in right now…
hold on to hope a little longer, because even there, I believe He is still at work.
Where in your life might you need to trust that just a little more today?

Shoulder to Shoulder

Life is complex and human beings are complex.
In my lifetime, I’ve had the privilege of working with people from all walks of life and from a host of different nations and cultures.
Subsequently, in the various professional and voluntary roles I’ve enjoyed, I am a witness to the happiness and joy life can bring for many, along with the problems and challenges that come along too.
In so many ways, our life can be good, great even – and then in an instant, it can be filled with disappointment, grief, anguish, misery and pain.
There is one thing I know for sure, and that is life will intermittently bring challenges to each and every one of us, arriving when we least expect them, in good times or bad.
We all experience difficult times in our lives, and then we must endure for a while.
Yet, in the trials, there are frequently many opportunities for growth and learning.

Coaching and Leadership

That’s where coaching and leadership come in.
As John Wooden said, “A good coach can change a game, a great coach can change a life.”
I’ve seen this in action countless times, not just on playing fields, but in workplaces, communities, congregations, and moments of personal crisis.
One of my most vivid memories was sitting quietly by a dear friend’s side in hospital.
I didn’t have the right words, and maybe there weren’t any.
But I listened. I was present.
And in the stillness, they turned to me and said, “Thanks for being here, you give me confidence.”
That moment reminded me that leadership isn’t always about grand gestures, rather, it’s often about showing up, holding space, and helping others believe in their own strength.
Coaching is about helping people find clarity in the fog, and strength they didn’t know they had.
Leadership is about creating an environment where people can thrive, even when the road is rough.
While we can’t always control what happens, we can control how we respond and with the right support, people are capable of amazing resilience.
Life’s challenges are inevitable.
But with guidance, encouragement, and shared purpose, they can become the very stepping stones that carry us to our next best chapter.
Who in your life right now might be waiting for you to simply show up, listen, and help them believe in their own strength?

Every Day Counted

My mum, brother Paul, and niece Linsey, have all been celebrating birthdays this week.
Many family members will gather today to celebrate mum’s 90th birthday this week.
Ten years ago, on her 80th, we stood (all much younger) in a garden and snapped these photos, I’m sure there will be more today.
Look closely and you’ll see a cheeky wee smiler tucked in one corner.

Numbering the Days

Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
There’s something powerful about this verse when you’re celebrating someone who’s lived more than 32,800 days.
But this isn’t just about counting time—it’s about valuing it.
We all know that mortality is very brief, yet so immeasurably important.
The older I become, the more I understand that numbering our days isn’t a maths problem.
It’s a spiritual practice.
It reminds us life isn’t about how long we live, but how well we love.

A Life of Love

In John 15:12 we read, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
I can’t think of a better way to describe how my mum has lived.
Through happy times and challenging times, through grief and many changes, along with every twist that life has brought her way, she’s remained rooted, steady and faithful in her knowledge and testimony of Jesus Christ.
I love the line from C. T. Studd’s poem, “Only one life” …
“Only one life, ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.”
Mum’s constancy has been like a gospel soundtrack running in the background of all our lives.
Never demanding attention, just always there.
Always playing.
Her love has outlasted storms, outlived losses, and held our family together as our Matriarch and constant example for years.
So today mum, we come together to honour all that you are and all that you have become.
A celebration not just of age, but of endurance and unshakable faith.
Of a mum who abides in a gospel life filled with love, that never fades.
Mum’s days have truly been numbered and have truly counted for all of her family and friends.
Thank you for enriching all of our lives.
Whose quiet faith and love have shaped your life?

The Long Road Home

The last few days, I’ve been in Rome attending a world summit that was full of purpose, and hope.
The journey home, however, was quite a different story!
An early morning email from British Airways, warned me of possible flight delays in both Italy and the UK.
It was to prove all true for me.
Delays in Rome, resulted in a missed connection and an unexpected overnight stay in London.
It was a very late night, followed by a really early start again, only to be met by further delays at Heathrow.
To top it off, a hefty bill for 10 extra hours in the long-stay car park, was my welcome home present, which proved to be more expensive than the original 3-day booking. Ouch… ☹
I’ll be reclaiming that and a few other things too in the days ahead.
And then came the realisation… I’m not 30 anymore!
Eventually, I arrived home.
And the moment I stepped through the door, weary and worn, there was some peace and a short period of respite, before attending to another matter at hand.
I couldn’t help but think how often life is like that.
There are moments of real warmth, purpose and beauty, just like Rome.
Then periods of hassle and hardship can follow.
I pressed on through the delays, detours, and discouragement.
And at times, patience was key as it felt like I’d never quite get there, but eventually, I did.
The gospel teaches us that this mortal life is a journey too, often filled with trials that test our faith and patience.
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” – 2 Corinthians 4:17
There is no shortcut to eternal life.
No express flight to peace and joy.
But there is purpose in the enduring.
And ultimately, arriving is really worth it.
Are you stuck in your own “layover” season right now – discouraged, delayed, or just plain tired.
If so, take heart. Keep going. The journey may be long, but the destination is glorious.
What helps you keep going when your journey is filled with delays?

Small Swarms, Big Lessons

Yesterday, I set out to walk the 13-mile trail around Loch Leven as part of my training for next month’s West Highland Way adventure and Mary’s Meals.
I’d never walked this far before in one go.
However, it didn’t quite go as planned!
About a mile in, I reached for my phone to take a photo… only to realise I’d left it in the car.
The choice was simple: press on without it or turn back… I turned back.
So, before I’d even really begun, my 13-mile walk had become a 15-mile one.
Lesson #1: preparation matters.
Back on track, the next surprise wasn’t the rain or the wind, but the sky, it wasn’t blue – it was black, with swarms of tiny flying creatures.
At first, I thought they were midges.
But a kindly old gentleman wearing a midge net (he came prepared!) informed me they were in fact Mayflies, millions of them.
They got everywhere: in my nose, ears, eyes. Yuk.
Soldiering on, my baseball cap became my swatting device, fending off thousands.
The first three miles and the final three were the worst.
The “in-between” parts of the walk were very enjoyable, filled with beautiful spots and moments of peaceful bliss.
By the time I got back to the car, nearly 5 hours later, I had discovered a new pain in my left foot, a good measure of all over stiffness, and a few unexpected memories.
But I had done it! Fifteen miles under my belt, and another step closer to being ready for the West Highland Way.

Lessons Learned

Reflecting on the day, I was reminded of a scripture:
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” – Galatians 6:9
Sometimes our efforts are met with unexpected swarms, setbacks, and small irritations.
And sometimes in life, the walk is longer, harder, and more uncomfortable than we had planned.
I kept walking and in the middle of the struggle, there were beautiful peace filled moments, and I found a new strength I didn’t know I had.
My hope is that as we keep walking, through all the swarms and setbacks, we’ll become a little stronger, a little more patient, and a little more prepared for whatever lies ahead.
How do you handle life’s unexpected swarms?
PS Donate here for Marys Meals… https://www.marysmeals.org.uk/fundraising…

When Angels Meet Again

On Saturday evening, I had the opportunity of witnessing something quietly sacred.
I had taken my mum, to a fireside/devotional in Perth.
As we arrived, she spotted the familiar face of a dear old friend, Anne Crook — and, in a moment that felt suspended in time, they gently embraced.
It had been some time since they’d last met, yet the years just seemed to melt away.
Their smiles widened, their voices softened, and they simply 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆.
I sat next to them.
Watching them was like watching and listening to two angels.

Together

Two lifelong friends caught up in each other’s presence, laughing, reminiscing, and sharing their news, as if no time had passed at all.
Their friendship reaches all the way back to the early 1960s when, as younger women, they found the restored gospel in Dunfermline and Perth respectively.
Not long after, they served together in the District Primary Presidency, quietly shaping young lives with faith and love.
“…they did walk after the commandments which they had received… and they did love one another.” 4 Nephi 1:15
Decades may have come and gone, but their bond, rooted in shared testimony and service, remains unshakable.
Both lost their husband’s, some years ago.
Gentle. Humble. Enduring. Radiating love.
There was no need for any grandeur or noise.
No spotlight.
Just a quiet sweetness, two women of great faith, simply being together.
For me, it was a holy moment and a privilege to sit with them.
In their warmth, I was reminded of those things that matter most, the beauty of enduring friendships, of lives lived in service, sacred covenants and of the quiet strength of discipleship.
Sometimes, the most powerful moments are the stillest ones.
Who are the quiet angels in your life, the ones who have walked beside you through the years?

A Quiet Strength

One word has been on my mind a lot lately.
…𝑷𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆.
“…the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.”
All around us, I am a witness to adversity, challenges of uncertainty, trials, pressure, and all kinds of tribulation in today’s world.
Daily, I see dear friends, family and many colleagues suffering from all kinds of concerns, including emotional, financial, health, mental health, physical, spiritual and other work-related matters.
Grief at the death of a loved one, low self-esteem or self-doubt, anxiety or depression, loneliness or isolation, struggling with motivation or purpose, marital or family tensions, work related stress or burnout, job dissatisfaction, doubting personal beliefs, chronic illness or pain, recovering from surgery, feeling stuck or like life isn’t going anywhere and on and on…
Is it something to do with the times that we live in?
How does patience play into all of these challenges?
Even after nearly sixty years on planet earth, I have my fair share of patience still to learn.
Thus far, I’ve learned that patience can act like a steady anchor amidst life’s storms.
“Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting.” – Joyce Meyer
I have also learned to trust in God’s timing and not my own.
To wait with purpose, continue to pray, study, and serve, even when I can’t yet see the results.
We ought to be patient with ourselves, acknowledging both our strengths and our limitations.
As we face life’s choices and decisions, I hope we can exercise careful and sound judgment, making the most of each opportunity that eventually comes along.
It’s easy too, but we must not become disheartened or fall into despair when we are doing all we can.
Instead, my experience has taught me to find contentment in steady progress – even if it comes more slowly than I’d like.
“Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.” – A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh
Patience may not take away the storm, but it can certainly help us stand firm through it.
Where could a little more patience bring peace or strength into your life today?

The Power of Opposition

“Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors” – African Proverb
I have learned that winter is just as necessary as summer.
Work is as good for us as rest.
Uphill is just as important as downhill.
Life includes some sunshine and rain, success and failure, as well as good and evil.
There is a natural law of opposites at play in all of our lives.
Life has taught me that there is “an opposition in all things” – 2 Nephi 2:11
The struggles, adversity, difficulties that we encounter are oftentimes the most powerful teachers we face in life.
I am certain too that discouragement will be a visitor for all of us at some point in life.
Misery can set in, and for some we can get stuck in the mud pretty quickly.
Difficulties can keep us alert and on our toes.
They teach us to fight and prevent us from being over-confident.
Indeed, sometimes we are compelled to be humble.
We can only truly recognise joy because we have also encountered sorrow.
There is growth in opposition
Many times, I’ve learned the hard way, that in every negative, there is always a positive!
“There is no growth without challenge, no triumph without struggle, and no joy without sorrow.” – unknown.
And so, rather than resisting opposition, we can choose to embrace it as a necessary part of our growth.
Setbacks too, can prepare us for something greater.
The hard times can refine us, and the struggles can strengthen us.
Each challenge we face is not a roadblock, but a stepping stone, an opportunity to become wiser, stronger, and more compassionate.
So, when the storms come (and they will), stand firm.
When the road gets steep, take another step.
When darkness falls, remember that morning always comes.
With faith, perseverance, and an open heart, we will not only endure but thrive.
The law of opposition is not meant to break us, it is meant to build us.
And through it all, we learn the greatest truth of all: joy is worth the journey.
How has opposition in your life shaped you into the person you are today?

The Blessing of Waiting…

When a mother is expecting her baby, the anticipation grows with each passing day.

For our daughter Megan, now overdue with her first child, the wait may feel endless.

Much like pregnancy, life itself is full of waiting periods that test our faith and refine our patience – a hot topic in our recent conversations!

The Lord’s Timing

Yet this period of waiting and preparing mirrors a gospel principle we are all called to live by: faith in the Lord’s timing.

Through the gospel of Jesus Christ, we learn that God’s blessings come according to His divine timetable, not ours.

In the scriptures, the word wait means to hope, to anticipate, and to trust.

The scriptures teach us: “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” (Hebrews 10:36)

Pregnancy, like life itself, reminds us that much of our joy comes from learning to trust that the Lord knows when blessings should arrive.

Preparation

Just as Megan has prepared her home, her heart, and her body for this new baby, we, too, are asked to prepare spiritually while waiting for answers, blessings, and miracles.

In our home, we have a beautiful painting depicting the Saviour’s parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13).

Five were wise and made the most of their waiting time, ensuring they had enough oil for their lamps.

Similarly, waiting for a baby – just like waiting for any of God’s blessings – is a time to spiritually “gather oil.”

For Megan, the waiting has certainly allowed her to grow in patience and hope, enduring her final quiet and sometimes uncomfortable moments, before life changes forever.

For us in life, it’s about staying spiritually ready, trusting that the Lord’s promises will be fulfilled in His way and time.

The baby’s arrival—whether today, tomorrow, or in a few days—will happen at the exact moment God has lovingly planned.

The scriptures teach that God’s timing is always perfect: “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Just as birth happens on God’s timeline, not ours, so do the blessings we seek in life.

And when they finally come, the waiting and preparing make the joy that much sweeter.

In this life, we are all “waiting” for the ultimate promise: to return to our Heavenly Father and be reunited with our eternal family.

When Megan holds the baby in her arms for the first time, I’m sure the waiting will be but a memory, a beautiful reminder of the blessing of trusting in the Lord’s perfect plan.

What blessings have you discovered during your own seasons of waiting?

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