Visit From an Apostle

Today I got to shake hands with an Apostle. Robert D. Hales spoke at our Stake Conference (for the Hobble Creek West stake). What a gentle, approachable and fabulous man. It has definitely been a blessing to hear from him. Sometimes I get stuck in the rut of being enclosed-enclosed in a kind of box that does not allow me to give myself the right and/or ability to move forward-to forgive myself. To cut myself slack. When I was in Elder Hales's presence (after the conference concluded I had the chance to meet him in the lobby), that melted away for a moment. While speaking, his counsel was not perfunctory or scripted. It was just wisdom. Just hope. I have NO DOUBT that the moments of doubt and fear that come to each of us are intended to make us grow, be stronger, and be more aware of GOD. I am greatful for the opportunity to have those times. They are neccesary. But today it was just nice to bask in the glow of gentleness and kindness of an Apostle-AN APOSTLE who brought love and caring, counsel and wisdom to US(and in a way, I feel to ME in particualr). I am grateful to Elder Hales. :-)