Silver Linings: A Prospect of Hope in the Midst of Difficulty

Hey guys! :) I’m a 22-year-old girl born and raised in a small town of Idaho. I have five amazing brothers who continue to watch out for me, wrestle me, and keep life fun. I enjoy climbing and jumping snowmobiles with my dad and brothers, waiting out merciless teasing and wrestling with them, going shopping with my mom, watching endless movies on Netflix, and forgetting about the world in a ballet studio.

Don't let the height intimidate you (4'11") but I love people! I love learning about a person and their story of how they came to be who they are today. I also love laughing! I've been told that I'm pretty bad at telling jokes, but I am that person who will laugh at anything from a Laffy Taffy joke to a story (although I will probably need to have it explained).

I feel I have been very blessed to be raised in the home I have been with parents who I know love my brothers and I so much. They have taught me what real love is, to rely on God no matter what, to work hard, enjoy life, and realize the blessings I have in my life.

What's my purpose with Silver Linings?

I created this blog for you! First, to share that there is hope during the hardest of times and where it can be found, and second, to share personal stories of others who have been through tough times and the things that they have learned through their resilience.

How did Silver Linings start?

The summer of 2017, a friend of mine and I were taking an evening drive after a rainstorm. It had been pouring rain all that day and the forecast for the rest of the week didn't seem like it was going to change. As we were driving, I noticed that one of the clouds wasn't completely dark. There was something coming from behind it that caught my attention. As I scanned the gloomy cloud I noticed a lining of light surrounding the outside of it.

(This is the exact picture I took that night with Marije Scherf)

I've heard of silver linings before and knew the general definition, but I was curious and asked my friend to look the definition up online and this is what she found:

Silver Lining:

• A hopeful or comforting prospect in the midst of difficulty.

• A comforting or hopeful aspect of an otherwise desperate or unhappy situation.

• A consoling aspect of a difficult situation

Since that drive, I have been searching to know more about silver linings. They are a glimmer of hope; the good things going on around us during the darkest rain or hail storms. I'm starting to realize that it's about perspective; changing paradigms. Life is hard, and I am not saying to expect bliss all the time, to be ignorant of troubles in the world or our own lives, but rather to look for the silver linings and remember that there is hope.

PLEASE don’t give up. PLEASE don’t lose hope. "Never give up on anyone, and that includes never giving up on yourself"- President Dieter F. Uchtdorf. Sometimes it may feel like you can't do anymore or have no more strength, but I promise that nobody is required to do or go through ANYTHING alone.

One of my favorite scriptures comes from the New Testament, which is Mathew 11:28-30. It says, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

We have a Savior Jesus Christ who loves us so much that he sacrificed his life. With him we can do, give, and become so much more than we can by ourselves. This is only possible because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and all things will be made right through his atonement. There is so much potential inside each individual, because each person is a son or daughter of God. If we turn to Christ and take his yoke upon us, he will make ALL the difference.

This has brought me the greatest hope and happiness in my life during the hardest times I've been through. At any time in our lives anything and everything can be taken away from us, but the infinite love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will always remain. It is constant. I know that every individual who seeks for it can find Their love, because honestly, it is already there. You will find hope and peace, and you will find happiness. I share these things for my Savior Jesus Christ, Heavenly Father, and for anyone who is looking for hope.

So what is hope? I have my own definition of what I believe it is, but I invite you to find out for yourself and discover what hope means to you.

#silverlinings #hope