Sabbath Day Scribblings - Faith in Every Footstep

We pray with trust for strength and guidance—just as our forebears did. That's what it means to walk with faith in every footstep. It was so for our pioneer ancestors, and it must be so for us today. We must instill in our children and grandchildren the same spirit that drove the footsteps of the pioneers."

—M. Russell Ballard, "Pioneer Faith and Fortitude—Then and Now"

What a difference a wish can make

I have been talking a lot about making a difference lately.  It is very important to me and something that I really strive to do.  I am a volunteer EMT for the community that I live in and I mostly run at night when most of the sane world is sleeping.  It is a very fulfilling opportunity to serve.  I have seen more than I ever imagined, but have also been able to help people in the most difficult situations.  I wanted to share with you a true story.  Not one of mine, but one that is dear to my heart.  As you read it, I hope that you find one way that you can make a difference in someone's life today.


The Littlest Firefighter

The 26-year-old mother stared down at her son who was dying of terminal leukemia. Although her heart was filled with sadness, she also had a strong feeling of determination. Like any parent she wanted her son to grow up and fulfill all his dreams. Now that was no longer possible. The leukemia would see to that.
But she still wanted her son's dreams to come true. She took her son's hand and asked, "Bopsy, did you ever think about what you wanted to be once you grew up? Did you ever dream and wish what you would do with your life?"
"Mommy, I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up." Mom smiled back and said, "Let's see if we can make your wish come true."
Later that day she went to her local fire department in Phoenix, Arizona, where she met Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Phoenix. She explained her son's final wish and asked if it might be possible to give her six-year-old son a ride around the block on a fire engine.
Fireman Bob said, "Look, we can do better than that. If you'll have your son ready at seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we'll make him an honorary fireman for the whole day. He can come down to the fire station, eat with us, go out on all the fire calls, the whole nine yards!
"And if you'll give us his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform for him, with a real fire hat -- not a toy one -- with the emblem of the Phoenix Fire Department on it, a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots. They're all manufactured right here in Phoenix, so we can get them fast."
Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Bopsy, dressed him in his fire uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and ladder truck. Bopsy got to sit on the back of the truck and help steer it back to the fire station. He was in heaven.
There were three fire calls in Phoenix that day and Bopsy got to go out on all three calls. He rode in the different fire engines, the paramedic's van, and even the fire chief's car. He was also videotaped for the local news program.

Having his dream come true, with all the love and attention that was lavished upon him, so deeply touched Bopsy that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible.
One night in the hospital months later, all of Bopsy's vital signs began to drop dramatically and the head nurse, who believed in the hospice concept that no one should die alone, began to call the family members to the hospital.
Then she remembered the day Bopsy had spent as a fireman, so she called the Fire Chief and asked if it would be possible to send a fireman in uniform to the hospital to be with Bopsy as he made his transition. The chief replied, "We can do better than that. We'll be there in five minutes. Will you please do me a favor? When you hear the sirens screaming and see the lights flashing, will you announce over the PA system that there is not a fire? It's just the fire department coming to see one of its finest members one more time. And will you open the window to his room?
About five minutes later a hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital, extended its ladder up to Bopsy's third floor open window and five firefighters climbed up the ladder into Bopsy's room. With his mother's permission, they hugged him and held him and told him how much they loved him.
With his dying breath, Bopsy looked up at the fire chief and said, "Chief, am I really a fireman now?" "Yes, Bopsy, you are a fireman now," the chief said. With those words, Bopsy smiled and closed his eyes one last time. He passed away later that evening.

For more on the background of this amazing true story:
www.wish.org/about/the_first_wish/the_first_make_a_wish_child - Make-A-Wish website on Bopsy
www.ci.phoenix.az.us... - Bopsy's story and photos in the Phoenix Fire Department's newsletter



This is a true story of the Make a Wish Foundation.  Imagine, out of the sorrow of one family came answers to the dreams and prayers of many.  To me, this is truly Christ-like.  This group of men showed us what it means to love unconditionally.
So, what are you doing today to make someone else's life just a little bit brighter than it was?  It does not have to be lifesaving.  It does not even have to take a lot of time or money.  It can be as simple as a loaf of fresh bread, or a plate of cookies, a shoveled walk or a small thoughtful gift.  The only rule is that it needs to come from your heart.  Have fun!

Who are your Heroes?

Who are real heroes?  Are they the great football players, rock stars, or television personalities?  Are they  people who lived a long time ago?  Are they myths and legends? Or are they only found in comic books and movies?  They are probably a little of all of these. 
The dictionary defines heroes as:

• a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength; "RAF pilots were the heroes of the Battle of Britain"
• the principal character in a play or movie or novel or poem
• champion: someone who fights for a cause

Mormon Heroes are people whose actions illustrate their love for Jesus Christ. They sacrifice their own pleasures to fulfill their Godly responsibilities. In spite of problems in their lives, Mormon Heroes labor valiantly as they seek to follow the Savior's example and God's plan for them.  You too can be a Mormon Hero.
Being good is not always easy. We are often faced with difficult choices that can sway us toward dark or light, happiness or misery, weakness or strength. Sometimes making the right choices in life are one of the hardest things we will ever do.  And changing direction after making bad choices, can take even more courage and strength.  The question, "where do you find your heroes?" is just as important as "who are your heroes today?"  So, where are you looking for your heroes?
Are you looking in the media, the headlines, or your neighborhood?  Or are you looking at your leaders, your scriptures, your prophets?  I believe that if we teach our children who the true heroes are in our lives, we can help them make better choices for their own heroes.  So, who are your own righteous heroes?
As we teach our children about our heroes and the impact that they have had in our lives, and as we live the teachings of the gospel and hold to the iron rod, we will be teaching them how to grow up to be our very own Latter Day Saint Heroes!  I really mean that!  As I have watched my older children grow and start families of their own, I am so amazed at the things they are doing and the way they are doing them. 

 I have always been a big fan of Nephi.  He taught us so much about the meaning of obedience and following the prophet.  I am so impressed with my children who are my heros who have chosen to follow the prophet.  It means the world to me to know that they are raising my grand-children to have prayer, scripture study and family home evening. They are teaching me every day what it means to be obedient.  What it means to sacrifice.
I am also a big fan of Gideon.  He is the type of man who does everything he can to help his people and trusts to God to fill in the rest. He won't back down from what he knows to be true and good.  I have children who are my heroes because they stand up for each other and won't back down, even when they know their friends won't like what they say.  I have boys who take care of each other even when it is hard to do so.  I am so proud of their commitment to family and for all of the things it means to them. 
I love Alma the younger, who lived the early years of his life in sin.  He actively taught against the Lord and his own father, the prophet, Alma the elder.  He was brought back to the gospel.  He lived his life in service and dedication to the Lord.  He actively tried to teach all those whom he had led astray.  He went to the Laminites and taught them at great danger and risk to himself.  I have children who made some mistakes early on in their lives.  They have walked a long road back to try and change those early decisions.  I have so much admiration and respect for their trials and they are my heros for making the decision to turn their life around.  To choose to change, even when change is painful.  
 I have so many heroes in the scriptures.  These men and women teach me what it means to be a true hero in the eyes of God.  Many of the current heroes in my life are my sweet children who have taught me to be more loving and compassionate, more giving and self-sacrificing, more serving and giving, more faith and courage, more like my Savior, Jesus Christ, who is the greatest hero of them all. 

"Goodness is the only investment that never fails."
H.D.Thoreau