This Christmas, we had the opportunity to attend church again down here in the Southwest with James' mom. It's so funny how different things feel down here than in Utah. Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of really good, faithful friends up in Utah that I admire and aspire to be like. But something about the faith down here is different.
It's simpler.
It's about living off the land; about putting everything you have into a ranch or a business.
It's about having to trust in God for your livelihood.
It's about learning to depend on your faith to make it through all the tough times.
It's about praying desperately for rain in a serious drought, and yet, still saying, "If it be thy will," and meaning it.
It's about knowing the names and lives of everyone around you...and being willing to step in at a moment's notice.
It's about simply...believing. Believing that Heavenly Father wants the best for you, and trusting him to do so.
I know that many of these things are universal, but it has been very refreshing to see the simple faith of the good folks who live down here. It's not limited to the Southwest, but I think the way of life down here helps to contribute to the faith and kindness of the people. I have never been so warmly welcomed into a ward than when I was in Texas or New Mexico. I have never felt so comfortable so quickly with a new group of people. I love this culture, this people. I love this land - the flatness, what some would call barren desert. It's not barren - there are pumpjacks and barbed wire fences and beautiful, uninterrupted sunsets. It's a land of hard work, of drought, of mud and sweat and tears.
It's beautiful.
See? Absolutely breathtaking.
