My Dear Sisters,
Last Sunday, Brother Eric Blackwell gave a talk in our ward that touched me deeply.  He asked each of us to think of 5 trials that we have right now.  He then talked about the trials of the Savior and how the Savior suffered for each of us in Gethsemane and on the cross at Calvary.  Eric talked about the trials that he has endured in the last 22 months with a tumor of the pancreas (2 out of 96 turn out cancerous - he was one of the two), several surgeries, a hernia, and the fact that he still has an open wound on his abdomen that is not healing very well.  He told us that he is grateful for the trials he has and that they make him stronger.  As he talked, I thought about my trials and how small and insignificant they seemed by comparison.  I realize that I live a wonderful life and am truly blessed.  I asked several sisters in my ward how they felt about Eric's talk and each of them said they felt the same way I do....we all feel very blessed.

Eric also talked about how our trials help us to grow and to be stronger and better members of the Church, if we will let them.  I realize that all the trials and problems I have had over the years truly make me the woman I am today.  I am thankful for the things that have made me stronger.  I also realize that my Father in Heaven blesses me more and more each day through the little "bumps in the road" that come regularly.  I am sure there are blessings I am totally unaware of as I move through my life.

I know that each of you has trials and hardships that you struggle with as you live your day to day life.  I am hopeful that you can let these things make you stronger and help you to become even more amazing than you already are.  One of the ways that we can grow from these trials is to seek the help of those around us.  As we lean on our sisters in the gospel, we can share the tremendous load we carry.  There is strength in numbers and the more we share and help each other, the more we grow and learn.  We can seek out our visiting teachers, our presidencies, our friends, our sisters.  Ask for help and when asked, give all you have to give.  We can volunteer as soon as we see a need and not wait to be asked.  By helping others, we see how much we are blessed and we can share the blessings with those around us.

My love to each of you and my gratitude for the tremendous service you give and for the difference you make in my life.

Pat Romney