Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time - 2-1-09

“Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time”

Excerpts from Elder Quentin L. Cook talk in the Liahona, Nov 2008

We know from the scriptures that some trials are for our good and are suited for our own personal development.

We were traveling by car from San Francisco to Utah in June. The weather had been very good. As we started our ascent to the Donner Pass summit in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, suddenly and without warning an enormous snowstorm hit us. None of the drivers was prepared. A semitruck in front of us had jackknifed and was spread across two lanes. Other trucks and cars had slid off the freeway. One lane was open, and many vehicles, including ours, were desperately trying to gain traction to avoid the other vehicles. All traffic then came to a halt.

We were not prepared for this blizzard in June. We had no warm clothing, and our fuel was relatively low. I huddled with the two boys in an effort to keep us warm. After many hours, safety vehicles, snowplows, and tow trucks began to clear up the massive logjam of vehicles.
Eventually, a tow truck hauled us to a service station on the other side of the pass. I called my wife, knowing she would be worried because she had expected a call the prior evening. She asked if she could speak to the two boys. When it was the three-year-old’s turn, with a quivering voice, he said, “Hope ya know, we had a hard time!”

I could tell, as our three-year-old talked to his mother and told her of the hard time, he gained comfort and then reassurance. Our prayers are that way when we go to our Father in Heaven. We know He cares for us in our time of need.

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William,

As you look back on the last several weeks I hope that you remember that both your earthly Father and your Heavenly Father have been very aware of you, and the struggles that you have been going through. Through your struggles the Lord will develop you into the servant that he needs in this part of his vineyard. He is ready and willing to bless you as you strive to find those that he has prepared to receive his word. You bring honor to your family and yourself as you grow in the service of your Heavenly Father.

Keep up the good work, pray often, and rely on your companion for strength, guidance and for friendship. The life lessons that you will learn will come from your experiences serving the Lord as well as learning to live with these other fine young men.

I love you son, and I am so proud of the growth that I have seen in you these last several weeks. Remember, your Heavenly Fathers “knows you had a hard time” but he does hear your prayers, and does know your heart.

Love Dad, Mary Ann, and Benson