20~Sandy~12

Sandy

2012

A few months ago the world "sandy" would have brought on thoughts of summer, and beaches, and joy, but today the word "sandy" brings on thoughts of tragedy. Tragedy for a school, a city, a nation, and a world.

October 22nd to October 31st 2012 Hurricane Sandy took 253 total lives, and left behind $65.6 billion dollars in damage.

December 14th 2012 a gunman entered Sandy Hook and took the lives 28 people. Including 20 children between the ages of 5 and 7, 6 women that worked at the school, his mother, and himself.

These statistics are burned into the hearts of people everywhere. These two tragedies have brought many heartaches, and lots of tears. It is hard to express the sorrow felt by the nation at this point in time. These children killed had their whole lives ahead of them {read about these beautiful children HERE}, the survivors have watched the murdering of their best friends and teachers, and they haven't yet finished the first grade. This is something no person should ever have to go through, let alone a first grader.

These children, and teachers killed showed the greatest form of heroism. Many of them stepping in front of others to protect them. There have been many heroes in the efforts of Hurricane Sandy relief. People have donated both time and money to help the people affected. 

Though the majority of the world hasn't been affected directly, we have all been affected. I remember the way the nation came together after the attacks of 9-11. How people began to remember why we are all here. People began to turn to God and let him control our lives. During the years since then it has felt that people have forgotten. With these sandy tragedies we are beginning to return to God again. More prayers are being said, and we are becoming closer as a nation

In the words of JK Rowling...

"Times like these, dark times can bring people together or they can tear them apart."


We as humanity must make sure we are binding together. There is hope. Hope can be found in the most unusual of places such as a picture...






 a Facebook Page...

or a song.
{okay...I couldn't find the right version on YouTube, so look up Dearest Children, God Is Near You by Cherie Call on iTunes.}




We live in dark times and in the words of my friend, Hannah, "I have a feeling it is going to get worse before it gets better". I know that the 2013 theme for the youth was inspired by god. It is a call for youth every where to "Stand in holy places, and be not moved" These future days are going to be hard, even the very elect will be deceived, but we must be steadfast and immovable, we must always be abounding in good works, we must strong, we must have courage, we must not be dismayed, we must arise and shine forth, that our light will be a standard for the nations, we must stand in holy places, we must not move, for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever though goest. (Joshua 1:9, D&C115:5, D&C 87:8, Mosiah 5:15). Our future isn't going to be easy. People all around me are suffering from hardships of all kinds. {Read THIS BLOG HERE to read about an inspiring family I know.} I pray that you turn towards God in the times of struggle, that you keep those you love close, and pray like you have never prayed before.

"Get on you                 

knees and 

        pray, 

then get on your               

       feet and go to 

work."           

 Feel my Sunlight

p.s. all those UNDERLINED WORDS are links to awesome places. You should check them out.