This week has been particularly treacherous it seems. I am grateful that our building remodel is nearly complete. This coming week will be a big push, but I hope we can have it ready for a final inspection (c.o.) by early next week. I am not sure it will really be ready in time, we will be intensely involved in trek by Tuesday so I will either have to be done, or have it wait until after that gets done.
Today was stake conference. The theme was consecration. Lots of talks about missionary work - especially for couples. I know that someday we will serve a mission, or a couple of them. For now, I am so grateful to get to hug my baby!
Little S is crawling, climbing, cooing, and giggling. She is so beautiful! During church today she fell asleep in my arms, heavenly! I was grateful that my kids were all sitting quietly, listening, not scratching backs, or playing games. Sa wanted to take a coloring book (age 7) but I told her no, and she did great! I am grateful for each one of them! They sat still and listened!
The law of consecration. What does that mean to me? I will strive these coming days to be completely dedicated to the purposes of the Lord. Consecrated until Him. I am grateful for His sacrifice for me, and for the time, energy, and means He sends to bless my life. I recognize many tender mercies daily!
Yesterday's tender mercies included: we rented a bobcat, and they had one in even though we had not reserved it. They also had a dump trailer which saved us hours moving dirt from the home garden boxes,and put it at office. Tender mercy we took two loads, and that was exactly enough to fill the two new flower boxes by the front door.
This last week I have been close to but protected from several major concerns. Over the past couple of weeks, one of our employees has struggled with health issues related to female parts. I don't understand why I can have children and other's don't see to be able to. I am so grateful for the calling of mother!
Then Monday evening, during family home evening, we had turned off our phones as we do after 6:00 p.m. so we can focus on our family alone. After the kids had gone to bed, B checked his voice mails to find that B.P. had called multiple times. He returned the call now after 9 p.m. to learn that J.P. was operated on for a serious cancer that afternoon! He is J's age! It was an urgent surgery, they found problems, and operated as quickly as they could get him in. Ugh. Difficult! B. went to help his dad the next morning with moving some things since J was not going to be able to do that! We didn't make it to see J until late in the evening on Wednesday. He looked week, but at least he was home.
Then Friday we learned that some dear friends were having real martial problems. What would I do? I don't know and I don't want to imagine it! I am thankful for B and hope that he knows that! We did go through a time early this week where we were frustrated with each other (in-law frustrations yet again!!!), but Wednesday early morning,I committed to J I would go to the temple, and so I got up to go and B woke, and came too. There we renewed covenants which bind us together. Can't go through that and still be frustrated. We came out "friends" (as my Dad asks frequently - checking up to take care me).
Then Saturday evening as we were leaving for the adult session, we learned that a little six year old drowned in our neighborhood! I would be so devastated! I have the gospel, but that would be so difficult! I have hugged all my kids lots today, hoping they know that I love them soooo much! This life is so fragile! I know that we are living in the last days. I know that destruction is rampant upon this earth, and yet, I am grateful to be in the world, in my own "bubble" or "snow globe" as we joke. I am grateful for tender mercies witnessing daily that He knows, and hears my prayers! I am so grateful!
Today was stake conference. The theme was consecration. Lots of talks about missionary work - especially for couples. I know that someday we will serve a mission, or a couple of them. For now, I am so grateful to get to hug my baby!
Little S is crawling, climbing, cooing, and giggling. She is so beautiful! During church today she fell asleep in my arms, heavenly! I was grateful that my kids were all sitting quietly, listening, not scratching backs, or playing games. Sa wanted to take a coloring book (age 7) but I told her no, and she did great! I am grateful for each one of them! They sat still and listened!
The law of consecration. What does that mean to me? I will strive these coming days to be completely dedicated to the purposes of the Lord. Consecrated until Him. I am grateful for His sacrifice for me, and for the time, energy, and means He sends to bless my life. I recognize many tender mercies daily!
Yesterday's tender mercies included: we rented a bobcat, and they had one in even though we had not reserved it. They also had a dump trailer which saved us hours moving dirt from the home garden boxes,and put it at office. Tender mercy we took two loads, and that was exactly enough to fill the two new flower boxes by the front door.
This last week I have been close to but protected from several major concerns. Over the past couple of weeks, one of our employees has struggled with health issues related to female parts. I don't understand why I can have children and other's don't see to be able to. I am so grateful for the calling of mother!
Then Monday evening, during family home evening, we had turned off our phones as we do after 6:00 p.m. so we can focus on our family alone. After the kids had gone to bed, B checked his voice mails to find that B.P. had called multiple times. He returned the call now after 9 p.m. to learn that J.P. was operated on for a serious cancer that afternoon! He is J's age! It was an urgent surgery, they found problems, and operated as quickly as they could get him in. Ugh. Difficult! B. went to help his dad the next morning with moving some things since J was not going to be able to do that! We didn't make it to see J until late in the evening on Wednesday. He looked week, but at least he was home.
Then Friday we learned that some dear friends were having real martial problems. What would I do? I don't know and I don't want to imagine it! I am thankful for B and hope that he knows that! We did go through a time early this week where we were frustrated with each other (in-law frustrations yet again!!!), but Wednesday early morning,I committed to J I would go to the temple, and so I got up to go and B woke, and came too. There we renewed covenants which bind us together. Can't go through that and still be frustrated. We came out "friends" (as my Dad asks frequently - checking up to take care me).
Then Saturday evening as we were leaving for the adult session, we learned that a little six year old drowned in our neighborhood! I would be so devastated! I have the gospel, but that would be so difficult! I have hugged all my kids lots today, hoping they know that I love them soooo much! This life is so fragile! I know that we are living in the last days. I know that destruction is rampant upon this earth, and yet, I am grateful to be in the world, in my own "bubble" or "snow globe" as we joke. I am grateful for tender mercies witnessing daily that He knows, and hears my prayers! I am so grateful!