A couple of weeks ago, we were out playing in the snow the day after the storm and the sun was out. It was beautiful. We had around 12 inches of snow and it was cold enough that it hadn’t begun melting yet even though the sun was shining and no clouds were in the sky. We have a decent hill in our back yard for sledding and we make a ramp to get more speed for our decent down the hill.

It is a lot of work. First, we have to send someone down on a sled that is heavy enough to make a track, but light enough that they won’t get stuck. Then, we begin to build the ramp at the top of the track. We need a snow shovel to collect the snow to build the ramp and then we have to mold it into a good shape. Now that all of the kids are bigger, we need a longer ramp to accommodate the longer sleds and their heavier bodies.

This year, my little one was determined to play in the snow with the rest of the kids. She needed help to get around. But I will tell you, she had the most fun I have ever seen her have in the snow. All of us pitched in to help get her up the hill, on the sled, and positioned perfectly for the best ride she could have.

Usually, she would prefer to go down with someone else on the sled with her, but this day, she was so happy to do it herself. We asked for breaks more than she did. We were huffing and puffing and taking our protective layers off because the effort was so much. But I know that each of us put our best effort forth to see the joy in her face as she went down the hill. She would turn and smile back at us after her sled came to a stop. It was a wonderful day.

As we were playing in the snow together, I kept thinking of the power of the sun. Even though the temperature is enough to keep the snow in its frozen state (I can’t remember the exact temperature but it was in the 20’s), the sun is a more powerful force and can melt the snow. If it is that same temperature and overcast, the snow wouldn’t melt. But the power of the sun shining down on the earth is enough to begin to melt the snow. How amazing.

The snow that was in the shade of the house wasn’t melting at all and was still fresh powder to sled down. But the snow in the sun was starting to melt and becoming heavier to move around. We moved to the shaded side of the hill and began to sled down on that side. Immediately, we needed to put our winter gear back on as it was colder in the shade. Whereas, in the sunny side of the yard, we had our winter coats and hats off for a significant amount of time and were completely fine even though the temperature was below freezing.

The power of the sun is great. So is the power of the Son of God. This year with my winter blues, I am doing all that I can to defend my mind and body against them. I am exercising, I am trying to be outside for even just a few minutes of sunshine in the cold weather, I am reading my scriptures or listening to podcasts about the gospel as much as possible during the day, I am trying to blog frequently, I am going to the temple each week, I am writing down something that I am thankful for each day, I am looking for service opportunities, and most importantly, I am giving myself permission to have a day on the couch wrapped in a heated blanket and let it be ok.

I told my kids several times that I suffer from the winter blues. One day, I made it a homeschool huddle and asked them how they could help me through this time. Their answers were so thoughtful: not fight with each other, ask how they could help around the house, clean up after themselves, pray for me. And you know what? They have really been trying to do this. It has been so sweet.

I told them of my weakness, and together, we are lightening my load which helps me to put all of my energy into doing my best. They have given me grace when I needed it and I am so grateful that the Spirit told me to share this with them. Usually, when I have these days, I feel guilty for all the things that I am not doing. If the kids have cereal for dinner, I feel disappointed that I couldn’t make them something else.

The other day was a good day, but then around 3 or 4pm, my winter blues came on strong. We all needed to cuddle up in heated blankets that day and together we watched uplifting movies. When it was time to make dinner, I didn’t know if I was up to it. So, I turned the tv off and asked the kids if they wanted to eat cereal or if they want to learn how to make this dinner that they really like. It was unanimous, they wanted to learn how to make it. It was hard for me to get off the couch, but their excitement helped me to do it. This would be an amazing opportunity for them and such a service to me.

I gave everyone an assignment and walked them through it. I walked around and supervised and taught and by the end of making dinner together, I was feeling better and the kids were feeling so good about their efforts in helping to make dinner. What a special experience.

Yesterday, I was listening to a podcast about the winter blues and she mention a therapy light lamp. As soon as she said this, I remembered that I had bought one last spring after talking about it with my daughter’s therapist. It was late enough in the spring that we didn’t need it anymore, but I bought one so that I would have it for this winter. I had completely forgotten that I had it! I paused the podcast and searched my room until I found it. I have it shining on me right now as I type this post.

I was introduced to this woman’s podcast through a dear friend. I know that God sent it to her so that she could send it to me. He knew that I had forgotten about this therapy lamp and that it could help me. My friend listened to the spirit and shared this woman’s social media post with me. It was in this post that I eventually came to find her podcast episode. God is in the details.

Jesus Christ is His son. Jesus Christ had the power to do miracles when He lived on the earth. He gave His priesthood power to His apostles and disciples. Eventually they were killed and the priesthood was gone from the earth. In 1829, it was restored. To learn more about this, you can reach out to a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

I have a strong testimony that this really happened, just as Moses freed the Israelites, and Jesus walked on water. His church, with all of the things that were lost from it, have been restored. It lives today. It is why we have temples and can go there to learn of Him, His gospel, and to feel of His love.

When I am in the celestial room of the temple, the room is very quiet and full of peace. And the lighting is the perfect brightness, even at night in the wintertime. You feel as you have walked into Heaven’s embrace. I feel the most clarity of thought and inspiration flows into my heart and mind. The most important thing I feel, is love. Love from my Heavenly Parents and my Savior, Jesus Christ.

How do you feel Them? Most days, I can feel Their love through the small and simple things. Other days, I need to go to the temple to feel it. That is okay. Just like in my previous post, Their love is always shining on us, sometimes there are just clouds in the way.

Just like my family and I will do all that we can to help my little one participate in the fun activities and the not so fun activities of life; our Heavenly Parents, Jesus Christ, and a host of angels are there to help us. Even if you don’t believe They are there. They love you that much. They want you to find Joy in this life.

Just like when we build the ramp for our sledding experience with great detail, God and His angels are in the small details of your life. They are doing their best to give you the experiences in life that will get you to positioned perfectly to look back at them with joy in your smile.

Are you seeing the joy in the ride? Are you noticing Their efforts? Look closely, you will see Them. It is beautiful.