Comments on: The Flood Always Crests

By: Kami

Kami — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 05:20:55 +0000

Once again, you are such an example and inspiration to me. I don’t read your blog as often as I’d like to, but whenever I do, it is so amazingly worth it. I know you’ve been having a hard time and I’m so sorry for all you’re going through, but I just have to say you are so amazing to have gone to church and taught those girls. That took such great faith and power that I am in awe in your presence. I had the good fortune to watch your precious little ones for a weekend and you are doing a GREAT job just “making those two little people”. Thank you so much for sharing your ups and downs with the rest of us and for helping us to increase our faith and sometimes at the same time laugh so hard we cry. Kathryn, you are one of my heroes. Truly you are a blessing to all of us who read you!

By: Heather

Heather — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:11:09 +0000

You have received so many beautiful replies ( I read every single one of them), that I do not need to add my own words but to say, “Amen!”

Let me share the words of our beloved past prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley.

“It isn’t as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. HE WILL NOT FORSAKE US…. If we put out trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers.”

Also, Jeffrey R. Holland gave a CES talk to the 18-30 year olds (at 29 I barely made the cut!) in the church on September 7th, 2008 that speaks to this exact concept of learning from the dark times. He gave all of us the homework assignment to study and ponder Doctrine and Covenants 121, 122, and 123. These are the sections Joseph wrote from Carthage Jail. Jeffrey R. Holland called that place his temple-prison, and talked about how our deepest and darkest times can also serve as a temple experience while feeling imprisoned in darkness.
Holland, Jeffrey R., “Lessons from Liberty Jail,” CES Fireside for Young Adults, Sept. 7, 2008 It is the featured address currently at lds.org, additional addresses

http://lds.org/library/page/display/0,7098,5344-1-2783-1,00.html

I HIGHLY recommend reading it.

One last thing – a quote by an unknown author:
Hope is like the sun which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us… Hope sweetens the memory of experiences well-loved. It tempers our troubles to our growth and our strength. It befriends us in dark hours, excites us in bright ones. It lends promise to the future and purpose to the past. It turns discouragement into determination.”

My own ride with the highs and lows that come with bipolar disorder has taught me a lot. Your post was a good reminder and refresher of the things the spirit has taught me in the past. Boiled down: You are loved and worthy of love, even when you feel the most unlovable. Even when you are at worst, the Lord sees you at your best. Divine worth. These things you already know. I don’t “know” you, but I love you.

A sister in the gospel

By: Ali

Ali — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:16:26 +0000

Thank you for your honesty and openness. It is a blessing to read your story.

By: Amber

Amber — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:55:25 +0000

Sending warm and fuzzy thoughts your way. Things will get better with time (and meds). It was very brave and commendable of you to go and teach those girls on Sunday. Bravo.

By: Lori L.

Lori L. — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:41:17 +0000

Sending hope, prayer, and best wishes for the future your way.

By: Whimsy

Whimsy — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 05:05:53 +0000

Hi Kathryn,

There’s a poem by Kahlil Gibran in his book The Prophet. He talks about Joy and Sorrow – Pleasure and Pain, and how these things are necessary for us to feel one or the other. I’ve always thought that The Darkness (I know it well) is something of a gift: you can let it come, hollow you out, take you to the ultimate depths — and in return, know that you’ll have that much more capacity for joy, for light, for the beauty that you embrace in your life every day. I think you’re very brave to share this with all of us. You are teaching people, even through your pain.

Thank you. My prayers are with you.

By: sarah

sarah — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 04:46:42 +0000

Thank you for sharing this. It is dark now, but you know where to find the Light. Thank you for reminding the rest of us where to find the Light.

By: Sketchy

Sketchy — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:30:48 +0000

Tie that knot Kathryn and hang on. You are loved, you are needed and you are going to be OK. Thanks for being so honest about your trials, you help a lot of people I know.

By: Surcie

Surcie — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:25:30 +0000

I’m so, so sorry you’ve had such a difficult time lately. The thought of going back “there” is the scariest thing to me.

By: Holly

Holly — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:37:29 +0000

Thank you for writing this. We all need to hear it. And when I was 14-15 I REALLY needed to hear it – you were wise and brave to teach on Sunday.

Take care of yourself. You can get through this. I’ll be praying for you.