Day 16.

I am thankful for the scriptures, for words from living prophets.

I set a goal this year to read the Book of Mormon (again) and to take my time, really studying and pondering what I read.  I wanted my study to remind me of my days in seminary, when my scriptures were all marked-up.  I may not be very far into the book, but the knowledge I have gained exceeds the amount of pages that could be bookmarked.

Today, as I was reading, a light was turned on.  There was something that was new to me.  Something that meant more to me than it did in previous readings.  It gave me great hope and comfort.

As if to prove a point, I was reading later in the Ensign, and the same thing happened.  I was reading a conference talk by Elder Bednar.  It was one that I listened intently to during this last conference, but in reading it, promises given to us stood out as if in bold font.  Another great blessing.  Another comfort.

I am so thankful to have these words, this encouragement and guidance from a loving Heavenly Father.   

Faith... and MORE SnOw!!!

I realized, after I finished this layout, that the one I did last night, was dated A YEAR BEHIND! See, that is what I get for putting it off, TWO YEARS...
Here is our deck... we have had some warm days that had our snow melting, mind you, but here it is... Merrill is praying that the snow will collapse the deck, and somehow the gate too... then we can have homeowners cover the cost of re-building. (Now, who was it who said that outdoor carpet on our deck was a bad idea???)
I've been thinking a lot about Faith. I've been thinking about it for a while, but ever since my conversation with Lynn, I've been thinking about it even more. I feel like I am being prepared for something. Everything that we read in the Book of Mormon talks about agency, the plan of salvation, opposition, Faith... yeah, I know that's the Scriptures for you... There are a lot of things going on in our life that could go in any direction. I don't know what it is, but I feel as if I am being prepared for some opposition. While I am scared, because I don't know what it could be, or if it's anything at all, I feel like what Lynn said needs to be applied. I need to be tough, even though I want to be scared. I love that my kids teach me so much.
I wanted to get up today during Fast & Testimony meeting, but I felt too emotional. It would have been blubbering, rather than a testimony. I can't explain it. Something is coming. The last time I felt this way, it was that Primary needed a change, a shake-up. And boy did it get it! But while it was hard, and stressful, and a learning experience, it was good for me. Maybe it's just that the unknown of having another little one is freaking me out! But I need to let go, and let what is supposed to happen, happen...
Oh, and Mom, I think it's safe to say, that with your guess, you are out of the contest... I'll still make you some cards, for Mother's Day...

I wonder...

"I wonder when He comes again,

Will herald angels sing.

Will Earth be white with drifted snow,

Or will the world know spring..."

Give me a minute to be a little contemplative... I have had some time to think. Ashley has me on "newborn feeding schedule training ". Every 2-3 hours, she woke me up for some reason...
So as it takes me a lifetime to get comfortable, and fall back asleep, I've had time to think.
It all started last night. I wanted to watch the news, mostly for snow totals, and today's weather. But instead, I got an earful of the unpleasant, what I don't like to hear about. Wild and weird weather happenings, frome everywhere, violent things throughout the world, and things happening to children that make me want to cry just thinking about the little faces involved. It's just not the news, it's good people around me that I know are struggling, going through times and experiences that really test them.
It is interesting that before I sat down to crochet, and watch the news, we read the Book Of Mormon as a family after prayers. We are in 1 Nephi 11, where Nephi, is talking about Lehi's dream or vision of the "Tree of Life". The mists of darkness is what got me. I know I've read this account numberless times, I know what the mists of darkness represent, but his time, It hit me! (That is a blessing of re-reading the Book Of Mormon, learning new things, seeing things differently for the different stages and times we go through in life...) It hit me that the mists arose as people were holding on tight to the iron rod and pressing forward. It sounded to me like what the days are like today, so much worldly "stuff". Here we are, going on, doing what we do, usually doing what is right, and then here comes the world's ideas... It rises up around us, and tries to consume us and confuse us as to what we should really be doing. Things that we have been doing for so long, we start to question because the world starts to think something else. Things that are right, that we have been doing all along, have been okay to the world, until now... It's just amazing to me to see people that I have admired and looked up to, being swallowed. All of this while I am trying to get myself and my family to keep going forward, only when we can feel and not see, where we are going.

On another note...
I got a "follow-up" phone call from that survey the other night, last night... apparently, the surveyor forgot to ask one really important question.
"Are you employed? Do you work full-time, part time, or are you unemployed?"
"I stay at home."
"So you are unemployed."
"No. I work everyday, I just don't get a paycheck."
"Is that full time?"
Duh....