Jacquie Here.

This is a poem that Elder Ballard read at the CES Fireside last Sunday. My friend Daniel texted me later and told me that this poem reminded him of one of my older posts I wrote about being grateful for trials. I really like this poem, actually. And it really does pretty much sum up that old post. So read it. And thanks, Daniel!!

The Oak Tree

by Johnny Ray Ryder Jr

A mighty wind blew night and day It stole the oak tree's leaves away Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark Until the oak was tired and stark But still the oak tree held its ground While other trees fell all around The weary wind gave up and spoke. How can you still be standing Oak? The oak tree said, I know that you Can break each branch of mine in two Carry every leaf away Shake my limbs, and make me sway But I have roots stretched in the earth Growing stronger since my birth You'll never touch them, for you see They are the deepest part of me Until today, I wasn't sure Of just how much I could endure But now I've found, with thanks to you I'm stronger than I ever knew

Out,
Jacquie.