Years go by and Mark begins another journal.  He has continued to make effort to grow and develop relationships with his wife, children, friends, work associates and especially with the Savior.  

This new journal warms my soul – Almost ten yeas earlier Mark had felt lost and bewildered.  He saw his failures, particularly at work and in relationships.  Now he writes as a man at peace – though I must say that he continued to grow and progress for many, many years after writing these – becoming the incredible man we all knew and loved before his death.  These events occured still several years before I began my blog.

Because Mark had struggled primarily with insecurities/concerns about  his marriage, family, and work – I don’t think I need to give detailed accounts of the entries, but will just share some lines from each of the categories that demonstrate his progress along the journey to be more Christlike.  

The theme of is journal is “How I Saw the Hand of the Lord in My Life Today.”  With this new perspective I am excited to share his words. The following entry may seem familiar as I included it in the first of Mark’s memoirs. It is here again because this is the journal from which it came. He is recognizing the hand of the Lord in his life. .

TODAY IS MY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.

AS I WOKE UP AND SAW THE WONDERFUL SUNLIGHT COME THROUGH THE WINDOW AND FILL OUR BEDROOM, I LOOKED AT CORINNE AND SAW HER BEAUTIFUL SMILE AND THE TWINKLE IN HER EYE.

THAT IS EVIDENCE OF THE LORD TOUCHING OUR LIFE.  OVER THE YEARS THERE HAVE BEEN WONDERFUL HAPPY TIMES.  THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN SOME MISTAKES THAT HAVE CAUSED MUCH HEARTACHE.  BUT THROUGH REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESS AND THE HEALING MERCY OF GOD, THERE ARE SMILES OF LOVE TODAY ON OUR ANNIVERSARY.

CORINNE, I DEEPLY LOVE YOU!

He wrote that so many years ago – who could have guessed the impact that it would someday have on me.

Ok – I am tired of all caps again.. and switching to Mark’s words being italicized…

Marriage:

• Today I reflected on the Lord’s healing influence on my heart and Corinne’s heart as we live the gospel principles in our marriage relationship.  The principles of repentance, forgiveness, love, charity, service, etc.  …..I felt the hand of the Lord in my life today as the Holy Ghost opened my mind and my heart to these truths.  My love for Corinne grew today from this experience.
• (After an experience we had talking with a young, engaged couple.). My love and appreciation for Corinne grew even more.  My determination to be a better husband was strengthened.  Corinne had such a wonderful smile and twinkle in her eye tonight that we both felt the hand of the Lord.
• (After watching an interesting movie on a date.) We are blessed to be able to grow and learn in life.

Family:

• Today we saw Les Miserables with the kids…. I felt the Spirit of the Lord testify to my heart of the reality of change, repentance and renewal.  What a blessing for us all to be able to experience this musical.
• (After helping the boys clean their room when there had been tension) I saw the Lord’s hand in being able to patiently work with the boys and respectfully working together.
• (After a morning activity with the girls for which he had prayed that they would have a positive experience.) Jackie gave me a big smile and a big hug.  That was an answer to my prayer.
• Corinne and I love our children and love parenting.  We are so pleased with the choices our kids are making.  One thing we try to do is be very open in discussing our love and gospel truths.
• (During a stressful day and conflict amid the children.)  I was able to be patient and help the hurt feelings.  This helped save the day.  (He then went on to play with them.)
• The Lord helped us make a breakthrough (in a homework situation which he shares in detail).
• Mark spent time talking with our 12 year old who described his perfect day as “Sitting at home when everything is right.” This led to a discussion of the joy of family and home.  Certainly a blessing from the Lord.
• Mark spent three days observing or helping at a scout camp with David and his friend.  Mark mentions many blessings and adds, I LOVE BEING A DAD!
• (Regarding Greg’s positive situation at college). Another wonderful blessing from the Lord.
• (After a day of yard work and then swimming at the lake.) The Lord blessed us with safety and the opportunity to share a postiive Father/Child experience today.
• (After a fun-filled Labor Day)  So many great family blessings today.

Career:

• Mark woke up on a Sunday concerned about work issues but didn’t want to ruin his Sabbath.  He prayed and he remembered a scripture about don’t worry about tomorrow.  He was able to focus on the Sabbath with no more worries.
• Lots of issues at work today.  Mark then tells about the feelings of gratitude for the Lord’s help in dealing with Greg’s cancer and how this helped with work issues.
• I’m working through personnel problems at work.  …(explains promptings to read certain material and talk to someone in particular)…. I gained some helpful insights which will help me work through these issues.
• I prayed for extra help this morning as I work through some HR issues at work.  I specifically asked for patience and peace in my heart.  …… I felt the spirit I had asked for.  One person said to me, “You have the patience of a Buddhist monk.”  A direct blessing from the Lord.
• After a day of meetings in Seattle, Mark drove 3 or 4 hours home, repacked and took an evening flight to Oakland and a taxi to San Francisco.  I recognize its a great blessing to be here safe after a long day.
• I’ve been working through some frustrating problems at work…… when I got up this morning I prayed for help that I could do my best, be patient, and help me see the situation in a new light…… At the end of the day I looked back and realized that my perspective had changed and I felt much more positive about the people and the situation.  I was also able to clearly see the intents of people’s actions and words. THE LORD WILL HELP CARRY ME THROUGH THIS PARTICULAR TIME!

Others:

• I saw the hand of the Lord today by being His servant and helping [tells the story of helping another family]. ,,,, seeing their joy was seeing the Savior.  “If ye have done it unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto me.”
• I look at people as children of God.  Each with a different perspective and life experiences.  I realized that it takes an omniscient God to know each person, their minds, and be able to judge them fairly.  God is such a loving and perfect Father. It is a wondrous blessing to have the spirit of inspiration to open our minds to new thoughts.

I hope that reading Mark’s words regarding seeing the hand of the Lord in his life has been inspiring.  As I retyped his entries I was struck by the simplicity of it all.  Already I had marveled at the changes in his life, but this time I thought of how much more often I should perform this exercise.  Look for God everywhere and I will find him.

Thank you Mark, for setting such a fine example to us.