"COURSE CORRECTIONS"

Over the weekend I have experienced a series of events that have caused me to reflect on this subject. Some are weighing heavy on my mind, and maybe writing about it will help me to understand my feelings.

I have been rereading one of my favorite books, "No One Can Take Your Place", by Sheri Dew. Late last week I read the chapter she calls "True Blue, Through and Through". She talks about integrity. She tells about when she was a fourteen year old girl working on the farm. It was her privilege to be able to drive at that young age. She was driving a grain truck from the field to the elevators. It was a straight ten mile shot down a country road except for one stop sign at a paved highway. First she slowed down to an "almost stop" and before too many days went by, she was just speeding on through like it wasn't even there. Soon she was noticed by the police and they helped her change her ways. She talks about how there is no such thing as a "slight break". Once we "break", it is a break. She quotes President Hinckley, "The course of our lives is not determined by great, awesome decisions. Our direction is set by the little day-to-day choices which chart the track on which we run".

I have met some people along the way in my professional life that I consider to be great friends. I don't see them often, but think of them and hold them in high regard. One of these such friends has made some choices that have completely changed the course of her life. She stands today in jeopardy of losing everything that is dear to her. I don't know what really happened. I only know that whatever happened, it didn't start out in a big way. It started out with an innocent text message or conversation that has led to ruin. I am heartsick for her. I believe that our greatest sorrow comes as a result of sin.

Yesterday our ward conference was divided into two parts. The second part was an interactive session. We were asked to respond to different situations. We were asked to share how we would handle certain problems that come up in family life. President Harbertson talked about how airplanes have to constantly correct their course in order to reach their destination. At conference a while back President Uchtdorf told a story about a plane that was off by a few degrees that ended up crashing in the mountains. When we get off by a small amount, that angle only grows and grows. We were asked to go home and think about the corrections we need to make in our lives.

I am so grateful for the good choices that you all make every day. I learn so much from you. You are great examples to me. Thanks for letting me share my grief with you.