He Will Prepare a Way

"No matter how bleak the chapter of our lives may look today, because of the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we may hope and be assured that the ending of the book of our lives will exceed our grandest expectations. 'Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. ' "

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Infinite Power of Hope," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 22–23

I love nearly anything I read that President Uchtdorf has written. The words all seem to flow so beautifully and yet that isn't why I love his words. The reason, I feel the truthfulness of what he writes as the Holy Ghost testify's to me of it's truthfulness. It's a blessing to have that feeling and that knowledge in my life.

I've found that if I pray before I read the scriptures, answers to my daily problems seem to unfold before my eyes. I can open up the Bible to any page for example, and find that answer to which I'm seeking. It's amazing, even miraculous when you think about it! My children have all had this happen to them in their own lives during their studies as well. I'm grateful for that knowledge. Prayer works!

I love Heavenly Father. I'm so grateful for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. How He loves us! When I think of the ending of the book of my life, I pray I will be equal to the tasks at hand. That I will live up to the greatness that is within in me. I pray I can prepare my children for that which is to come. I feel like I've done my best--and it feels wonderful. I also know that I've repented along the way for my shortcomings. We all have them. Thanks to the atonement of Jesus Christ, we can be forgiven and start anew. I'm so thankful!

As my children are searching for jobs right now, we're praying for gainful employment for them. I know that sometimes things come in Gods time, not in ours. It has been frustrating for our oldest son as he tries to find that job after serving a two year mission for the church. We are all trying to be more patient now. God will find a way to bless him in due time. So, for now he has been keeping busy helping me around the house and in the yard and helping others with heavy work they cannot do themselves.

A good example is that Jason and his younger brother Hunter (who is also looking for work) are going to cut wood for an elderly couple this afternoon. It will help them this winter as the cost of so many things has risen. It feels good to see them giving service where it's needed.

I have found that good old fashioned work cures many ills that befall us. I wish I could remember President Hinkley's perfect words, but I can't. So I'll paraphrase. Please forgive me for doing so...When you are sad, work. When you are heartbroken, work. When you are lonely, work....and so on.

When I've been the saddest, I've given service and all that I was sad about seemed to fall away and look so small. The person I was helping came to the forefront of my mind from that moment--making my problems melt away. I think that is what "work" is meant to do. That is what President Hinkley was speaking about. Find something outside of ourselves to give of ourselves to. It's a blessing when times seems to hard. Become selfless instead of selfish. It's a wonderful sensation. It might be something new to a few of you out there. Try it out, it won't hurt. Focus on what God would want you to do. He will prepare a way for you.

Smiles, Cheers and an Occasional Song

I have been so excited about posting this week and have had some technical difficulties to deal with online. Just as I was thinking that I would have to start a new blog, suddenly everything works again. So, I guess the Internet gremlins have finally left me be and I'm free to share my thoughts with my readers once again. Thank goodness!

I had a rather odd but relaxing 4Th of July this year. Odd because it was lacking a group gathering or traditional picnic our family always had in the past. Relaxing because we worked in our wonderful veggie garden as a family, digging in the dirt, setting up hot wire to keep out bunnies, woodchucks and deer. As a reward for working so hard, we then went across the road to the Crow River to fish as a family. I guess it really was a celebration of sorts, just different.

It was relaxing to watch the hypnotic river current pass by while watching an occasional carp leap out of the water in front of us. Gosh does that ever get your heart racing!

We saw leopard frogs sitting on the bank below and Hunter was feeding them bits of night-crawlers. It was actually quite entertaining wondering which frog would get the their favorite food first. It was a simple day and it was so relaxing. A moment in time where all cares and worries ebbed away from each of us and were replaced with smiles, cheers and an occasional song.

The cheers happened when I caught the first and second catch of the day! I barely landed the second one by myself.

It was simply a wonderful day. It was a celebration of freedom from monotony and stress. It was also a celebration of our most precious family.

We are truly blessed as a family, to live in this free country where we can worship and love and play without fear. Though recently the family has been under attack and it concerns me deeply. Having raised four wonderful sons, I know how important it is to have a mother and father figure in their lives. I do realize that is not always possible in some families. But they must do their best in these trying times we live in.

Recently our church who remains aloof when it comes to politics, has made a statement concerning same sex marriage. The process by which our constitution is upheld, has come into question by four judges in the state of California is about to effect all Americans across the board.

Below is a link to what the first presidency of the LDS church is now telling our members and the world. We have joined with many other churches to stand up for the Constitution. I pray you will too. Become aware of what is going on in our beloved free country. Remember what our ancestors fought and died for. Study, search , ponder and pray about what to vote for when you go to the polls this year. Uphold our constitution and our rights and our right to preserve the votes that pass what the people want, not what a handful of men have interpreted to be the law.

http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/california-and-same-sex

I am so glad I took the time to enjoy the 4Th of July with my family. It was the most restful day I've had in a long time. What a beautiful place we live in--what a blessing this country is!