**The Heavy Heart of Maui**
Arriving in Maui with friends, we stayed close to Lahaina, and the emotional intensity of the place was immediate. The first days I was engulfed in sadness and heaviness, intensified by the stark evidence of fire damage—a constant reminder of loss. My empathy, often a source of deep feeling, was overwhelmed by despair for the land and its people. Despite mastery in grounding techniques to shield myself from overwhelming emotions, this felt insurmountable. It clouded my ability to enjoy the trip, leaving me confused and searching for a way to alleviate the heaviness.
**Seeking Help and Finding Clarity**
Recognizing this struggle, I reached out to my prayer group for support, seeking solace instead of the weight of sadness. Their prayers were a lifeline, and a dear friend guided me through introspective questions, helping me uncover a critical insight: I could pray for the land and its people. The process of questioning led me to consider love as a healing force. My friend encouraged me to attend church with an open heart, which became a pivotal moment in transforming my internal turmoil.
**A Transformative Church Experience** Attending a visitor’s ward, the meeting was filled with travelers with native Hawaiians leading the meeting.
Through hymns and praying during the sacrament, I felt Jesus’s overpowering love replace any lingering despair. His presence was tangible and filled me with the light of hope.
Upon opening my eyes during the sacrament, I saw the young men each holding two trays, one in each hand.
This image of serving with two hands, resonated deeply with me.
I asked God how I could serve with both hands, feeling blessed by the ability to share Jesus’s love—a gift not everyone experiences.
**Reflecting on Jesus’s Love**
This strengthened my resolve to express love and hope, realizing I could convey through action and service what Jesus might say: “I love you, and I’m here.”
The feeling of love and sensing the power of service tied to that was as overwhelming as the grief I had been feeling before. Tears flowed down my face once again, but this time tears of joy.
**Serving with Two Hands**
The meeting’s end introduced a poignant testimony from a Hawaiian gentleman, who shared his fire survival story—an ironclad reminder of resilience and faith. This clarity allowed me to stay present, absorbing hope instead of despair. His miracles reinforced my belief in hope.
This experience showed me the rebuilding process beyond the ruins, symbolizing hope and a return to life. As we drove from the church I focused now on the trucks stationed to rebuild the empty foundations close by.
It clarified my mission: to help others release emotional blocks, enabling them to embrace faith and hope.
As we continue our journeys, may we serve with two hands—uniquely using our gifts. Like my son Bryson, serving on his mission in the Philippines, we can perform acts of kindness that are as small as hellos and smiles or as significant as helping to build houses.
I am privileged to share these sacred experiences with you, hoping they offer inspiration and joy in your personal journey.
Remember, you are powerful and capable of spreading love and hope.