Build Bridges...

 This week was the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. I have been reading documents for the past month concerning a war hero, Mervyn S. Bennion, in the Church History Library.  He was a Utah resident in command of a battleship during the bombing of Pearl Harbor.   He was like many others whose "courage, skill, alertness, and a complete disregard for his own personal personal safety" was able to serve and save others.  During the initial bombing, Captain Bennion, was mortally wounded by bomb shrapnel but he refused to be taken from the deck.  His only concern was his men and saving the ship.  He died while on that battleship.  There are many who have done the same throughout the history of war and across nations.  We owe our peace and freedom to these soldiers who with "compete disregard for their own personal safety" gave us this gift.

Now 80 years later, Elder Allan and I are called to serve in Japan. Forgiveness and peace has followed only after much devastation of WWII and even the atomic bomb.  What brought back this forgiveness and peace?

I was moved by Amanda Gorman's speech read during the inauguration of Joe Biden. Whether or not you like President Biden, the principles of truth ring true.

So we lift our gazes not to what stands between us, but what stands before us. We close the divide because we know to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside. We lay down our arms so we can reach out our arms to one another, we seek harm to none and harmony for all.

If we’re to live up to our own time, then victory won’t lie in the blade, but in in all of the bridges we’ve made.

" The Hill We Climb"by Amanda Gordon

I am filled with gratitude for those who have gone before me that has paved the way for my life today. I hope that I am part of the' building bridges'. I desire that my arms will reach out to others.

 We decided that if we can't be in Japan right now, we could at least eat some Japanese food.

Early morning walk in 35 degree weather.  We were supposed to be in Japan before this happened!!