Oct 6, 2013

Dear Family,

I'm glad you loved Conference! We're very excited to watch it in a few weeks. Sister Tracy and I are really looking forward to the spiritual boost and invitation to be better. Can't wait!

This week, I've been thinking about a favorite saying I have shared with my dad for many years. My dad and I think Theodore Roosevelt is a pretty fascinating character. Complete with classic mustache and undiminished optimism, he was famous for his "take on the world" attitude. He was an unconquerable spirit, and my dad and I find inspiration from his character. T. Roosevelt has a classic quote about being "all in", about being "in the arena" of life. He uses powerful language to compare life without hard work and adventure as life in the "gray twilight" that knows neither victory nor defeat.  “Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.”   ― Theodore Roosevelt, The Strenuous Life

For years, my dad and I have encouraged each other with a smile and a recitation of this inspiring phrase. "No gray twilight!".  

The scriptures teach us that there are things to act and things to be acted upon. I remember an address given by Elder Bednar where he invites all men to be doers, to be actors instead of those who are acted upon. I am here to be a doer. The peace and contentment of missionary work, parenthood, employment, church callings, etc. all comes from the knowledge that we have done all we can, that we have left nothing to Roosevelt's "cold and timid" gray twilight. Life can be challenging. Sometimes, it seems we are making meager and painfully slow progress. But... if we do all we can and never fear our responsibilities, we can know that we walk in the daylight.... we can know that we are experiencing the full richness of colors in the sun. Every night, my assurance has come from the knowledge that when I put down the cell phone, close the planner, and set the alarm clock, I have left nothing to be acted upon. I've given everything I have to give.. and more with the help of the Lord.

I'm so grateful for the little miracles we receive throughout the week. Let me share one. On Sunday, we had the opportunity to hear one of our investigator's testimony. She just had her sixteenth birthday on Saturday and is currently unable to be baptized because her father doesn't agree. As she stood at the pulpit, she told the members that when her father asked her what she wanted for her birthday she told him "I want to be a missionary. I want to represent the JiLong ward and preach the gospel. I don't know how long I'll have to wait to be baptized, but I will be! I will be a missionary!" I remember being unable to suppress a huge smile and a few tears. I love her SO much! She will change lives, I know it!

These people are teaching me so much. I'm putting one foot in front of the other and continuing to act, to hold nothing back.

I think about watching my dad take off as he headed to tough trials, radio interviews, debates on TV, and difficult meetings... Sometimes I would go to the driveway and call out "no gray twilight!" as he left. He smiled and repeated the phrase every time.  Here's to a life totally void of the gray twilight.

Love you all!
Sister Barden