We talk of emergency preparedness for the big earthquakes or world events. More often, it is the personal trials that hit close to home that are the most difficult. If we wait to prepare spiritually until the storm hits, we may find ourselves blown over … The question is not “Will I face challenges?” but rather, “How will I deal with challenges when they come?”

I Can Do Hard Things with God is an inspiring collection of essays by a variety of LDS women who have confronted this very question. Replete with examples of sisters who have faced trials of death and disability, infertility and illness, and so much more, this poignant anthology brings to life the fact that these women are prevailing against all odds. They offer glimpses into lives that have been uplifted and enriched through stalwart preparation and unwavering faith, and readers will come to understand that they too can rely on God’s grace to strengthen them in their adversity.

Around the time that I was working on my publishing company, I met two new friends, Shauna Fillmore and Ganel-Lyn Condie. One of them, Ganel-Lyn Condie, was working on a book. The main idea was to gather a bunch of women who were dealing with many different hardships in life. Loss, loneliness, death, divorce, mental illness, struggling and wayward children, suicide. Each woman would write a chapter about their story. Through these trials they shared how they kept their faith in God and in the Savior, Jesus Christ. Ganel asked if I would help her edit the essays/book and write one myself.

It was a beautiful process, and we felt very guided by the Holy Spirit. I was amazed at how “in-sync” we were. We both would have the same ideas for direction at the same time. It was a unity that I treasure (see Moses 7:18). Miracles happened throughout the process. And for me, writing the chapter gave a healing that I desperately needed. The book was picked up by Covenant Communications and published in 2015.

It was such an exciting time! So, book #4 of the books that I had a hand in. I claim it, both as an un-credited editor of this project, and as a contributor of one of the essays.

I know that this book has helped many people, including myself. What a blessing! To write not just for entertainment, but to manage to write something that makes life a little better for others. Just this week, I walked into our local Deseret Book. There were copies of this book on the shelf – 10 years later!