Ten Years Strong!

Have you ever thought about how your life has changed in the past ten years?

I have definitely thought about it more this month because we just celebrated our 10th anniversary. Though it's been a long journey, we have enjoyed our marriage.  It's amazing how you get so comfortable with your spouse, compared to how it was when you first dated them.

I often think about how much our kids have grown.  I wish I could hold each one of them as a newborn again. I truly enjoy being a mother and wife.  While I am far from being the mom and wife I want to be,  I couldn't be more grateful for the lessons I have learned along the way.  The life lessons learned through marriage and having children help to shape the person that you become.  It all seems to come down to how you handle the sometimes difficult circumstances and curve balls that life throws at you.

There are times, like this past month, when we needed to wait patiently.  Unfortunately, we have to hold off on some plans longer than we had wanted to. We had prayed for these things that we wanted to happen,  and they didn't.  Of course,  it's only a natural reaction,  to become frustrated & saddened. 
It can also lead to complaints and discouragement.  Then you start to question your faith. And sometimes when you are thinking about all the faith you have had, you might have questions like,  "Why were our prayers not answered?  Why was the outcome not what we had hoped?" 

Having doubtful thoughts unfortunately leads to more heartache and sometimes a deep loss of faith.

How did I handle this particular event......
Well, I wrestled with this the night we got the news.  I had insomnia the previous night.  I prayed about it and afterwards,  I truly felt comforted. I felt that things were going to work out. 

 I am learning to realize the importance of praying with an open heart and praying for the specific things that are needed.   I have learned to lean on the Lord and accept the blessings in disguise. The Lord always gives us,  an answer to our prayers, but it's not always the way that we want things to happen.
I love the scripture,  "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.."- D&C 6:36

One thing that can be said about this past year,  is that whenever we there was a need  and especially at the times that we have felt the type of hopelessness that is almost numbing. The Lord has always provided a way. We have been humbled and blessed, each time.  The Lord always there for anything that you stand in need of.  In your darkest hour,  he is near and he is listening. I truly believe that with all my heart.


What I have learned along the way.....

Well, as a parent I feel really bad when our children feel like we are not listening to them but all the while we are trying to give our kids the space they need to learn and grow on their own.  We do our best to give them the tools they need to grow and learn individually. We tell them that we are always watching over them.  We tell them that we will be there for them no matter what happens.   We comfort them and help them up when they fall.  Overall our goal as parents, is truly simple when you think about the basics. We want our children to be happy, healthy, feel loved and to love others.  In a similar way our Heavenly Father is always there for us.  He wants us to lean on him.  He wants us to know that he is there.  

 It's such a blessing to have the knowledge of the gospel.  I am so grateful for the many blessings we have been given.  I am grateful that the Lord answers prayers,  in ways that will help us reach our full potential.  We are all precious in his sight.  :)

Greg Olsen said of his painting below regarding the butterfly in the picture:

 "The butterfly started out as a homely little caterpillar.  Does it have any idea what it is going to turn into?"

We have yet to reach our divine potential. It would be amazing if we could see ourselves and others as he does.  The world would be a much better place.

(FT&P... Happy 10th Anniversary Honey!)