Spiritual gifts

I've finished preparing for my talk on Sunday--it's on recognizing, strengthening, and gaining more spiritual gifts.  One of the resources I used was an article by Elder Robert D. Hales, in the February 2002 Ensign, where he talks about spiritual gifts and why they're important.  One major reason, he said, is that spiritual gifts help us weather the storms of life.

This morning I saw a Facebook post by a college friend Leanna.  Leanna is a couple years older than me, with two small girls.  She just found out that her cancer has returned with a vengeance and is inoperable, giving her about 6 months to live.  In the middle of her second pregnancy, she found out about the cancer and had her baby early so that she could get the chemotherapy treatments.  I listened to an audiorecording of her feelings on this diagnosis and of the peace that she feels because of priesthood blessings and knowing about God's plan of salvation.  Leanna plans to try some holistic medicine and other therapies and feels the Lord's help in all that she does--she recognizes the many angels around her, helping her and her family.  I was very touched when she said that she knows her mission on earth is not finished, but she accepts that it will come, someday, in God's time.

It was super, super inspiring to hear her calm, clear voice, enthusiastic and happy about what lies ahead of her.  The only time she got emotional was when she talked about the prayers of so many people around the world helping her.

I thought about this talk on spiritual gifts, and how my friend Leanna definitely feels the power and strength of many of them right now as she weathers this big storm in her life!

I'm grateful for this, for the truth in Elder Scott's words:  "Heavenly Father did not put on the earth to fail, but to succeed gloriously."