P. S.

I've never written a post post, but I feel like I need to add more about Tullio's passing that happened since I posted the first blog about it. At least for my own journal if nothing else. I mentioned that many of our YSA were at the funeral. That night we held our Missionary Prep Class with many of them. We knew that it was important to take the time to talk about it. I told them that it was easy when things like this happen to ask, "Why?" "Perche?" and that on their missions they would meet people who would ask why God allows sad things to happen. Their responses were nothing less than amazing. Heart-felt and full of faith. I know it was not a coincidence that the lesson we were on was the one on Faith In Christ. As we read from the manual the spirit testified so strongly of the truth of these powerful statements made from our apostles. We have never felt the Spirit so strongly in that class as we felt then. I thought I would share some of these powerful words with you here.

Elder Oaks said:

"Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is a conviction and trust that God knows us and loves us and will hear our prayers and answer them with what is best for us. In fact, God will do more than what is best for us. He will do what is best for us and for all or Heavenly Father's children. The conviction that the Lord knows more than we do and that he will answer our prayers in the way that is best for us and for all of his other children is a vital ingredient of faith in Jesus Christ...Faith must include trust...when we have faith in Christ we must have trust in him. We must trust him enough that we are content to accept his will, knowing that he knows what is best for us...The exercise of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is always subject to the order of heaven, to the goodness and will and wisdom and timing of the Lord. That is why we cannot have true faith in the Lord without also having complete trust in the Lords' will and in the Lord's timing. When we have that kind of faith and trust in the Lord, we have true security in our lives... This kind of faith prepares you to deal with life's opportunities - to take advantage of those that are received and to persist through the disappointments of those that are lost."

(Ensign, May 1994, 99-100)

And to the faithful Joseph Smith promised that "all our losses will be made up to us in the resurrection, by the power of the almighty I have seen it." (TPJS p. 296)

Thanks to those of you who expressed your feelings. To those who know the DeRuvo family we will be sure to pass your expressions on to them.

At this time of year as we are especially mindful of our Savior, I want to testify that I know these words of Ezra Taft Benson are true:

" Faith in Jesus Christ consists of complete reliance on Him. As God, He has infinite power, intelligence, and love. There is no human problem beyond His capacity to solve. Because He descended below all things he knows how to help us rise above our daily difficulties." ( Ensign, Nov. 1983, 6,8)

My hope this year is to increase my faith and my capacity to share this faith with others. Thank you all for sharing your expressions of faith with me. It is the best Christmas gift ever!