A Long Month

November was a very long month as months go. Seems like our family was hit with trials all at once. Through these experiences, I've been able to learn a few things.

1. There is no peace like the peace that comes from God. He is there to comfort us and help us when things are difficult.
2. God wants to bless us, even in times of difficulty. One of the sweetest ways is through priesthood blessings.
3. I am raising eternal children and an eternal family. Activities are fun and watching them develop talents is important, but everything is secondary to living the gospel.
4. Don't stress about the small stuff. It's okay if the house is messy or the meal isn't gourmet or my shoes don't match my purse. Stress about what is truly important: saying prayers, studying scriptures, attending meetings and the temple, serving others, family unity, having FHE, focusing on the Savior, and living the gospel--the rest of it doesn't matter too much.
5. Prioritize the most important things.
6. Love others as the Savior does and don't be selfish with blessings. Kindness and love go a long way in soothing a soul.
7. Heavenly Father knows and loves each one of us and He watches over us and inspires others to help when necessary. It is our responsibility to be prepared to be inspired. What a blessing it is to see this in action.
8. Don't be so judgmental and critical of others' actions or inactions because you just don't know what they may be struggling with or what burdens they may be silently carrying. Better to give someone the benefit of a doubt than to assume something that isn't true.

Life is a beautiful thing. It is such a blessing to live in mortality and to learn to rely on God. He knows all and understands all, even when we don't, or especially when we don't. If we learn nothing else in this life, we must learn to trust in Him.

I am truly thankful for all that I've been blessed with. I don't live in a mansion or drive a fancy car. I'm usually dressed in sweats with no make-up. I don't go on exotic vacations every year or get may hair and nails done each week. But, I have what matters most. A loving, honorable husband who is steadfast and immovable and loves me and our children, children who are trying to make the right choices each day and showing me how to be a better person, extended family that quietly serves and sets a Christlike example for me, and I have the most important thing of all, the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Gratitude for Priesthood Blessings

My husband always gives the kids  a father's blessing when they start school. He gave the older 4 kids their blessings a few weeks ago because our oldest left for Florida to work at Disney World with his wife. The next two oldest left for Provo to go to school. #4 thinks she's already in college and is as old as the other 3, even though she's still in high school (she's always considered herself older than she is). The first 4 kids have been dubbed "the big kids" so generally they all do the same things. Anyway, my husband gave each of them wonderful blessings for a new school year.

Last night, he gave blessings to the younger 6. It was a wonderful night. We all felt the Spirit so strongly. My 9-year-old son had tears in his eyes when my husband concluded his blessing. My 4-year-old jumped up on the chair and instructed his father where to lay his hands and as soon as my husband laid his hands on my son's head, he had the biggest smile stretch across his face. It was adorable.

I don't even think I can adequately expess my gratitude to my Heavenly Father for such wonderful blessings and for sending me such amazing children who work so hard to make good choices. I know it isn't easy being "in the world" these days. There are so many forces working against them, vying for their attention, and trying to tempt them to make bad choices.  They hear so much profanity each day. Their classmates are drinking and doing drugs. 14-year-old kids are sexually active. (I always find it interesting that society won't allow kids under 16 to drive or under 18 to vote or under 21 to legally drink, but they can be 13 or 14  and participate in sexual behavior and somehow that's okay as long as they're "safe"). I'm just so thankful that my kids are working hard, despite all the temptations, to keep the commandments.

I am also so very grateful that my husband honors his priesthood and can offer blessings to all of us. I am thankful each day that Heavenly Father blessed me with a man who loves the Lord and who loves me and the kids so much. He is a great example to me of trying to live a Christ-like life. He is such a good man, I often wonder why I was so blessed to find him. He gave me a wonderful blessing as well last night and my heart is full of gratitude for it.

As a youth, I did not have the priesthood in my home. I never had a father's blessing because I couldn't go to my grandfather for a blessing. I didn't have blessings when I was sick. Now, I realize how much I missed. What a blessing it is to have the priesthood in my home and to have a man who honors it and uses it to bless the lives of others. I am so grateful to Heavenly Father for allowing us to have the priesthood in these latter days and for allowing me to have it in my life.