Seven years ago today we gathered to honor my mom, who’d stepped over heaven’s threshold a few days before and met face to face the Savior she loved and served from childhood. Mom didn’t have an easy childhood. She lost her mother at a young age and, shortly after, her father began having strokes. She became his caretaker. She could have become bitter or resentful, but she didn’t. She leaned into Jesus and trusted Him to carry her when the pathway was hard to navigate. Her faith deepened until turning to Him was as natural as breathing. She endured…and she set a tremendous example of steadfastness for my brother and me to emulate. Trials can test our faith, but when we choose to let them strengthen our relationship with Him, then we endure.