well mary and i are doing a deal that we won't eat any sugar except for one day a week. whoever messes up has to pay up $10. i think chis is joining us too. anyone else want to join? so i'll have to chronicle this journey. the goal is to become healthier, have more energy and look dang good. i'm usually only good for 2 weeks, ok maybe that's an exaggeration....maybe 2 days. but i'm a woman of great faith so i'm expecting great things.
it's sunday and i want you to know how much i love this day. i think sundays are one of the great blessings the Lord gave us. it's a day that nourishes me, gives me time to reflect, sometimes a day to heal but most of all a day to be fed by the spirit. this week grandpa died and it has all the more caused me to reflect on life and what it's all about. why we have to go through the things we do, how do we go through hard things and what we learn from those things. elder scott said this: "as you walk to the boundary of your understanding into the twilight of uncertainty, exercising faith, you will be led to find solutions to the challenges of life you would not obtain otherwise. no matter how strong your faith is, God will not always reward you immediately according to your desires. rather He will respond with what in His eternal plan is best for you. your exercise of faith will forge strength of character available to you in times of critical need. such character is not developed in moments of great challenge or temptation. that is when it is used."
in section 24 of the d&c the Lord tells joseph to be patient in his afflictions because he would have many. not exactly great news to joseph, but the next lines says "but endure them for I am with thee." that's a little more comforting, but there's no there's no promise of ease. apparently those afflictions are our training ground, our boot camp, the way we get strong. an opportunity to prove ourselves to ourselves. elder scott says: strong moral character results from consistent correct choices in the trials and testing of life. such choices are made with trust in things that are believed and, when acted upon, will be confirmed as true. God uses your faith to mold your character.
so family....carry on, endure well. we are all learning together...and we are all learning from each other.
If you're looking for a fun evening have i got news for you. yes, it's called 'cootie'! bekah and kyle had game night last night with gamma and gamps and talk about having FUN! forget about wii's, forget about disneyland...cootie has it all. action, creativity, and most of all, lots of small plastic pieces. i know you're all thinking, i can't wait to go to gamma and gamps so i can play too. and what i say to you is: it's definitely not for the weak in heart, but if you want the ride of your life, bring your trash talking and we're on!
"To shorten winter, borrow some money due in Spring."this morning as i was looking outside, even though it's snowing i could imagine all the happy times we've had out there. summer meals where we're talking and laughing and the little kids are squealing as jared swings them around. picking raspberries and grapes for my breakfast. reading under the canopy of grape leaves in the gazebo while bees are humming. you know, life is good.... even if the memories are covered with a blanket of snow right now. waiting to make more memories together is a wonderful anticipation.
it's been snowing all morning but hey, it's going to get rid of all the goop we've been breathing so i don't mind at all. but i saw this picture and just had to send it along, because sometimes winter just feels like this!
I'm not sure if anyone will read this since i know no one expects me to be writing, but my new goal is to step up keeping in touch with everyone this year. i was reading some other blogs today and thought it was a shame not to be participating instead of just spectating. so this is my beginning effort. we're about 1/2 through with the first month of the year. i hope everyone is working on reading the Book of Mormon together. my beginning is a bit dismal...i'm only on 1 Nephi 14, but it's a start. anyone else joining in? well i'm going to figure out how to add a picture and hopefully next time i'll have one. love you all. mom
