Heavenly Father is the Best Mechanic
By Larry Barkdull

Heavenly Father Is Also The Best Doctor

Thank you very much for your articles. This one about Heavenly Father being the best mechanic is very appropriate and supportive for our own situation at the moment. Surely the sister would love to know that she's helped me realize that it isn't my imagination. A health test came back OK the second time around because of Heavenly Father also being the best doctor.

I think my feet didn't swell because they were healthy living all those years without having to worry about doctors services, except perhaps for a blessing of the priesthood.

- Regina Sherwood Faresin Italy

I Deserve Better
By Maurine Proctor

Using Facebook To Share Uplifting Reading

I recently joined Facebook. My info says: “Wife, mother, soon to be grandmother, office administrator, seeker of joy.”  This article is the third article I have posted to my Facebook. Thank you for such uplifting reading, and for giving me the opportunity (and permission) to share it with others. I admire you and love hearing from Mariah, too. Thanks for all you do.

Diane L. Irwin  Saline, Michigan

Meridian Magazine Is A Blessing In My Life

Thank you for another insightful article and for shining a light on “the gap.” I'm grateful for so many blessings in my life and one of them is definitely Meridian Magazine and the wonderful people who write for it.  

Pene Horton
Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Surrender To The Lord's Plans

A few years ago, after our house was being foreclosed upon, our sixth child was on his way, my husband's job collapsed, and our only hope to survive was to move 2,000 miles away to live with (gulp) parents again, I fell into the depths of depression. My life had not turned out in any way how I had planned.

I had made the five year and 10 year plans I was admonished to in my college life planning courses. Never once had I been taught or recognized that this was not my life, but the Lord's. I have never once asked Him what He wanted for me--instead I was guilty of C. S. Lewis's evaluation that many of us see God as a cosmic bellhop—get me what I want!

In the years that have followed, I have tried hard not to have any expectations. I am not always successful, but I am much happier. Our family views life as an adventure now. We do not know what will come, and we have no plans for "perfect" outcomes such as dream houses, vacations or clean bedrooms. When people ask us if we are done moving, I tell them the Lord hasn't told us yet.

Surrender to His plans and abandon your own. His ideas are far more intriguing and exciting, anyway.

Trish Mercer
Hyrum, Utah

Article Puts Things Into Perspective

Thank you so much for the article "I Deserve Better."  This was so timely and I really needed this to bring things into perspective (again), because life is so full of all those things you described.  Your last two articles about Satan have been very timely, too.  I do realize that the harder you try to do right and be good, the more Satan tries to bring you down or get at you—usually through people closest to you.  I'm just plain tired of his dark influence and cannot wait for the Savior to come and put him down.

You put it all so clear and wonderfully in this article.  It strengthens me to know what I am going through is normal—telestially normal—a place I do not want to be forever, that's for sure. My daughter recently returned from serving her mission in the England London Mission. That will be a great little analogy for me to think of "mind the gap" or don't mind the gap.

Thank you so much for being in tune with the Spirit and sharing what you've learned.  I love Meridian Magazine.

-Peggy Bidwell

Helping Me Keep My Priorities Straight

I just finished reading “I Deserve Better” and you have done it again. It was another thought-provoking article that really expresses what so many (if not all) of us feel. Thank you so much. What a great reminder this is to me. I always enjoy your articles and am enlightened and uplifted by what you share. Reading Meridian each morning always starts my day off right and helps me to keep my priorities straight and my perspective more eternal.

-Patti Whitman

There Is A Lot For Us To Learn

This article is about me. How did you know? We all deserve the best of everything and we will, someday, have it. Until then, there is a lot to learn and we know we learn by doing. I have been out of work for over a year and I am ready for President Hinckley's “burst of speed.”  This article helped me to understand the Lord is with me, even though the speed is slow in getting here. Now that I feel better, I am going to go start a painting, which I have not done in almost a year. 

-Paula Wojasinski

Victims of H1N1, and What They Learned
By Carolyn Nicolaysen

Daughter With Swine Flu At The MTC

Thanks for this article. I am forwarding it to the immediate world as my daughter is now quarantined with this virus. My daughter, a returned missionary from Florida , is a teacher at the MTC in Provo .

On Sunday she called for Father's Day sounding quite congested, but said, "I'm fine, don't worry."  On Monday morning (4:30 a.m. our time) she called saying "I've never been so sick!"  Instinctively I knew it was swine flu.  Later that day (after a blessing and when she was feeling strong enough) she went to the BYU Health Center and tested positive for influenza. The doctor said, "We've had so many cases here and at the MTC we're not even doing the full swine flu test.  I'm sure you have it.  Ibuprofen, lots of liquid, lots of rest—and don't go anywhere. Although you're past the contagious stage, if your roommates and boyfriend were going to get it from you, they'd have it by now.”

She is indeed quarantined for the rest of the week and has some sweet roommates and friends who have placed a quarantine sign (a smiling pig) on the front door. She was feeling much better by the afternoon.

-Carolyn Allen
Springfield, Virginia  

The Three Tenets of Mormonism (As seen by one Jew in Jerusalem )
By Mariah Proctor 

Thank You For Making A Great Point

What a great point you made in your article. It was so encouraging to those of us or all of us who just keep on loving and caring. I know from experience that what you say is true, but you put it in such an interesting context that it has been reinforced in my mind. Thank you.
 
-Penelope Bernard

Articles Bring Back Vivid Pictures Of Israel

I love your articles. I was in Israel just over a year ago and everything you say brings vivid pictures back to my mind. That trip transformed my life and the way I look at things having to do with our savior, Jesus Christ. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

-Kathi Olsen

Always Excited To Read Mariah's Experiences

Regarding the last paragraph of Mariah Proctor's current article: inspiring and thought provoking. That young lady is wise beyond her years. You should be so proud. I'm thrilled she is in Jerusalem . My daughter was set to go the first year they weren't allowed go. We've always been sad about that. Maybe that's why I'm so excited to read Mariah's experiences. She's a terrific writer with a gift for telling a story. I'm still laughing.

-Debbie Raymond

Enjoying Glimpse Into The Mind Of “More Youthful” LDS

I love reading the articles by Mariah Proctor and am so amazed at the talent she has for vivid imagery in her writing. Thank you, Mariah, for your insights and especially for the glimpse you give us into the mind of “more youthful” Latter-day Saints. Your testimony of the gospel is refreshing and uplifting.  Thank you for taking the time to share with the readers of Meridian .

Karen Davis
Madera, California

Powerful Message Needed At This Time

Thank you Sister Mariah Proctor for “The Three Tenets of Mormonism.” This was a powerful message. I really needed to hear it.  It fits well into my life at this time.

-Michael Winward
Fort Worth, Texas

Thank You For Sharing Your Experiences

What a great writer you are, Mariah. It's no surprise coming from such a talented family. Thanks for sharing your experience with us back here in the states.

-Michele Baer

Sometimes We Forget About God's Time Table

Thank you especially for the last paragraph. It answered or renewed what and how I should be with others who are not ready. Sometimes in our busy world we forget about God's time table. Thanks again.  I love your magazine and what insight it offers.

-Pat Kay

I Have Also Learned An Important Lesson

I also learned an important lesson when I was at the BYU Jerusalem Center in ‘87 about why the Israelis do not want us to preach the gospel there. One day a group of us were shopping at an art store. After an hour of admiring all their wonderful art, I mentioned that I'd better be heading back to the Center because I had to study for an especially difficult exam the next day. Other students moaned and agreed.

“What?” the shopkeeper said. “You really do take classes and study up there?”  We told her that indeed we did, and named some of the classes. Then she explained the reason they had been against the building of the BYU facility. “You see,” she said, “we are bringing people here from all over the world and trying to build a nation.  We don't need you dividing us with your proselytizing.”

-Judy Skalla Salt Lake City, Utah

Small Impressions Can Teach Eternal Lessons

I really appreciated this article. There were so many small lessons that add up, like obedience to direction, sacrifice to our own egos and knowledge, having a sense of humor about ourselves and patience.  Small impressions can teach huge, eternal lessons. Thanks for a great article with a fresh, youthful voice.

-Ruth Stiver Atlanta, Georgia

Following The Footsteps Of Her Parents

Great going Mariah. You're following the footsteps (which you're filling nicely) of two very wonderful parents.

-Jael

How Did You Answer The Shopkeeper?

What a great article. I had no idea Mormons aren't allowed to talk about our religion in Jerusalem . Is this true of all other religions as well? I'm interested in knowing how Mariah and her friends answered the Jewish shopkeeper. It seems she's taking after the folks with her great writing skills.

-Linnie Warnick

Mariah Expresses Herself Marvelously

This young lady does a marvelous job of expressing herself.  I really enjoy her viewpoint. Give her a hug for me.

-Merilee Lee

Loves To Read Meridian Mail, Mariah's Articles

First of all, I love Meridian mail.  It keeps me up on information about the church, gives me great thoughts by good writers, and keeps me up on current news I am interested in (I struggle trying to watch TV news, and our local paper doesn't give much information). 

Your Mariah is a wonderful writer. I love her strength of testimony, her observations and her ability to articulate her experiences so well. Having lived in Jerusalem , I can just see her and the other students in the shops, and feel the wonderful impression those great young people constantly make among the people there.

Thank you so much for what you are doing.  You are performing a great work.

-Bonnie Marshall

PS.  I am a widow, who just received a call to serve in the Budapest , Hungary Mission and am so excited to be able to serve there. Our family lived in Hong Kong , Israel and Switzerland when my husband taught in those countries.  I am excited to live abroad again, and get to know the people and cultures of Hungary . I am grateful that I will be able to keep in touch with all that is going on in the world, church and the USA via Meridian Mail. Thanks again.

Fortunate To Study In The Jerusalem Center

Thank you, Mariah, for the beautiful insight you gave us in your article about the Jews and Israel .  We visited Israel two years ago and I felt Him there.  How fortunate you are to be studying in the Jerusalem Center .  Enjoy and keep sharing.

-Carla Call
Provo, Utah

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir Sings “O My Father” 

Listening To This Hymn Made My Day

“O my Father” is a favorite hymn of mine. It was so nice to hear it from the choir. It was very uplifting to me and it brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for making my day.

-Rosalie Thomas

The Importance of Diversity in a Landscape
By Lucas Proctor 

Yearning For Encouragement About Gardening

I just finished reading the new article from Lucas Proctor. I love it. This is exactly what I've been yearning for, without realizing it—a source of information and encouragement about gardening. Please let him know he is appreciated. Thank you.