Dear Emi,
Once again, it was a week with very little sleep. THIS ELECTION MIGHT VERY WELL DELIVER ME TO AN EARLY GRAVE. For YEARS I have been completely obsessed with Politics, starting way back in Logan, UT.....Brook Lane Apartments. George W. Bush running for the first time. As Holly Neiderer, Amy Moe and I entered the apartment after our nightly run, my ears hear the stinging words, "And Florida goes to Al Gore." Obviously we were tuned into CNN and it obviously, the report was FALSE nevertheless.....Falling up the stairs I scream, "NOOOOOO! We have to have Florida."
Well, this week there was a bit of screaming as well. It started Tuesday night with the debate, and ended....well, I am not sure that your Grandpa would agree that it has ended. I felt like Governor Romney was dignified and smart, when virtually ALL CARDS WERE STACKED AGAINST HIM. (for those on the opposing team, keep reading). However, even when the timer had been sounded, you could tell that it was not fun for the Governor or his wife. That night, your grandpa insisted on re-watching parts of the debate. I was so stirred up inside that I promptly sent him to the Master Bath to watch so that I could get some sleep. Still hearing traces of the argument I moved myself into the living room...trying to find my happy place.
The happy place stayed hidden for several days. I looked on websites that supported my candidate and found that the "stirring" quickly turned into ANGER. It is one thing to oppose a candidate, to debate facts, to share opinions. It is quite another, to make fun of someone's opinions, looks, or gender status, say nasty words, and endless insults. Instead of finding comfort from "my" people....I just found out that they were not "my" people.
I stand by my candidate, his beliefs and policies, not by the garbage that gets endlessly passed around the internet. I wondered what these people were thinking, if they wanted to convince someone to vote for their GUY, this was certainly not the way.....Remember, gentleness, meekness, love unfeigned...persuasion. Are any of these sounding familiar? We know how to win hearts....not turn them solidly against you.
Emi, Thursday morning I finally found my happy place. The temple. Where problems, big and small, seem solvable. Where the Savior seems ever-ready to heal. Where thoughts become CLEAR.
Go to the Temple Emi...Keep your eye on the ball. Be involved, but keep your eye on the ball!
Love, Grandma, who is looking forward to a good night sleep :)
P.S. Did you know that the Prophet Noah preached repentance for 120 years before the flood came. Tells me something of the kind of patience the Lord has for me :)
