It is a really beautiful process to be reborn. In my life, I have felt like two big events in my life led to an acceleration of my rebirth or "becoming a new creature in Christ."

A few months ago, my dad's older brother Lawrence passed away. Uncle Lawrence led a remarkable, accomplished life. Thousands of students came to love him as a charismatic teacher and presenter. He was articulate, smart as a whip, adventurous and loved to travel, and he made hard work look fun on two huge, beautiful ranches he owned over the course of his life (often inviting students up for horse rides there). He was SO FUNNY and was known for his gift of wit. And lastly, he and Aunt Elaine raised 8 awesome kids. He sounds great on paper, he was even better in real life.

As I've grown in my understanding of the Gospel, I've come to see how ridiculous it is that someone as powerful, prominent, and flawless as the Savior has any interest in me. Besides being inconsequential in human history, I am unkind, ungrateful, and not that good at doing what I am supposed to do.

This is not exclusive to me, ALL of us humans fit into this same category!

I just listened to this incredible talk by Elder Maxwell entitled "Brim with Joy." I had so many takeaways, which I am writing about here, but really his delivery is so good, and you might get different things out of it an I did, that I really suggest you listen to it here.

I have been learning a lot as parent. Parenting kids in middle school presents new challenges and a different set of skills than consoling boo-boos or breaking up fights.