"I Have Kept the Faith"

 This afternoon I got an e-mail from Jane with a few precious photos of her
next to the larger-than-life mural of the Apostle Paul being visited by God

on the road to Damascus.

Saul learned and accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ after being visited by 

the Lord and chastened for persecuting Christians.

He was known from then on as Paul, and he dedicated his life to 

teaching and testifying of the Savior and His gospel.

"And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly

 there shined round about him a light from heaven:

"And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul,

 Saul, why persecutest thou me?

"And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, 

I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. …

"And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? 

And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, 

and it shall be told thee what thou must do." (Acts 9:3–6.)

I love that the Lord told Paul to "Arise, and GO..."

This is the same admonition He gives all His missionaries and to my Jane.

This mural is EXTRA special since the actor portraying 

Paul is my brother, Topher, who passed away two years ago.

Oh, how I miss my brother, Topher!

I am so thankful for his example of perseverance and courage

especially during personal trials and hardships.

What a wonderful man!

I'm sure Paul was pleased knowing he was going to 

be depicted by Topher.

"I  have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, 

I have kept the faith."