March Presidency Message: From Chris

Sisters,
Three weeks ago I told my friend I would run a 200 mile relay race with her and 10 other girls.  I know crazy is the right word here.  The race has hills.  Right now I am learning how to run hills.  My first real attempt off the treadmill was last Monday.  In short, the hills won that battle.  In order to prepare for my next war with the hills of the Ozarks, I texted my brother, a 2x ironman triathlete, and asked what I should do to be faster and more prepared on the hill.  His response was so short.  He simply texted, "Run More Hills".  I tossed my phone aside after reading his message and I probably grumbled out loud, but I knew deep down he was right.  I wanted to be encouraged and validated, but all my brother wanted to do was prepare me so I would have success in the actual race.  And so it is with life.  We can hang onto all the compliments in the world, but the race of life was never won by compliments, but by gritty hard work that is usually repeated time after time.  I have seen you sisters race this race with dignity and courage.  Sometimes we're a little frazzled, well maybe a whole lot frazzled, but we do it!  And while we do it, we see the hand of God in our lives and we become even more beautiful and more grateful then we were in the beginning. 

With love and Admiration,

Chris M.