RYAN AND CAMBRIA'S FIRE

Ryan called me yesterday as he was speeding towards their home. He could see the black smoke billowing up into the sky as he drove there. When Jonique and I got there Cam, Maddaux and Roxie were across the street with some family, neighbors and friends, while Ryan was on the phone with insurance people. We had no idea of the extent of the damage, until the firemen started washing off their own debris and we could get near to their home.

All of our material possessions can be gone in an instant, and if we put our happiness, all of our time or our self worth into them, we will live at risk of misery. Our greatest possessions are truly our families, our testimonies, our love for people, our knowledge and our goodness. Those are things we will not lose.

Ryan and Cambria's garage disaster must be looked at as a miracle! Cambria had filled her car with 45 gallons of gas the previous day, and even though the damage was so extensive that nothing was left on their vehicle but metal, it didn't blow up. Also, the fire and damage was contained to the garage and didn't get into the interior of the home. Interesting, how a police officer happened to come by the house the minute Cambria ran out the door to get a hose for water! In spite of the great financial losses, there has been protection for them! I'm proud of their ability to stay calm during this crisis. They are staying at Doug and Leslie's home for a week until they can get the inspector's permission to enter the house again. This will be a big delay in selling their home. Could there be a reason that they are to stay in this ward longer?

MAKING GOOD CHOICES
I recently made a wrong choice and my life has been greatly affected by it. I wasn't prepared for the situation that I found myself in. I have learned a lot from this experience - - and have chosen to walk through it with trust that Heavenly Father will protect and guide me as I am fully obedient (and have tried to always be). I learned for myself that what President Hinckley said is true: "While you are free to choose for yourself, you are not free to choose the consequences of your actions. When you make a choice, you will receive the consequences of that hoice. The consequences may not be immediate, but they will always follow, for good or
bad. Wrong choices delay your progression and lead to heartache and misery. Right choices lead to happiness and eternal life." There is always a price or a reward. He also promised us: " When you are obedient, the Lord will make much more out of your life than you can by yourself. He will increase your opportunities, expand your vision, and strengthen you. He will give you the help you need to meet your trials and challenges. You will find true joy as you come to know your Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ, and feel their love for you." I have truly felt Heavenly Father's and Jesus' love for me. 2 Nephi 31:16–21