The majority of my writing time lately has been spent on my research paper for a class about family adaptation and change. I find it ironic that I would be taking a class about how to be a first responder to people in crisis during a period of some of the greatest challenges I have faced in many years. I wish I could say that because of that knowledge I sailed through those challenges with grace and dignity. Nope. I tripped -- a lot. I said I'm sorry -- a lot. And I learned to forgive, to serve, and to love unconditionally, not only others, but myself. I became better acquainted with God's love, as well.
Driving home from Tucson the other day, I had a long conversation with Heavenly Father about how tired I was of all the chaos. At the end of my prayer, I turned on the radio just as this chorus of a Rodney Atkin's song played:
" Yeah, If you're going through [heck]
Keep on moving, face that fire
Walk right through it
You might get out
Before the devil even knows you're there..."
Now how can I not smile and be grateful and feel Heavenly Father's love after that!
This quote came to my inbox thing morning:
"Trying to comprehend the trials and meaning of this life without understanding Heavenly Father’s marvelously encompassing plan of salvation is like trying to understand a three-act play while seeing only the second act. Fortunately, our knowledge of the Savior, Jesus Christ, and His Atonement helps us to endure our trials and to see purpose in suffering and to trust God for what we cannot comprehend."
--Elder Neal A Maxwell, "Enduring Well", April 1997 Ensign
No one gets through life unscathed. And there is everything to be thankful for. I don't need to know the why's or why not's. I just need to know the Savior and have faith in his atonement and allow gratitude for all of my many blessings to fill my heart.
So...here are a just a few of the gifts that came to me during this amazing time in my life:
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| New Granddaughter Maesonanne Rose |
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| Amazing friends! |
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| New granddaughter Emali Anne |
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| Family! |
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| Creative gardners and beautiful flowers...These white snowball flowers ( I don't know their real name) bloom early and dry up...so the lady who grows them spray paints them so they last all summer. |
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| birthday parties and fun in the sun! |
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| sunflowers hold a special place in my heart. |
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| county fairs and 4H and grandchildren learning how to be responsible and self-sufficient |
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| witnessing the curiosity and creativity of a young child. I wish I would have captured the very happy dogs licking butter off the floor and chair and child. |
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| Going to the temple with my children. |
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| Macaroni and cheese and being silly. |
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| The light on the mountains. I will never get tired of watching it change all through the day. |
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| Book signings! |
hugs~
What a wonderful post, Kari. Love the pictures.
ReplyDeleteSpray painting dried blooms on the vine? Brilliant!
Thanks, Donna. That flower trick is brilliant. Even close up it was difficult to tell that they were painted. My eyes kept telling me one thing and my brain kept kicking out an error message!
DeleteI wish I would have taken pictures of the Wasatch Writers.
Count your blessings, name them one by one.
ReplyDeleteCount your blessing, see what God has done.
You're right, you don't know the blessing unless you walk through the trials. I love Rodney Atkin's song, too. It reminds me to keep going even when I'm discouraged, maybe especially when I'm discouraged.
Great pictures! Touching post.
Thank you!
DeleteYou have such a beautiful family. Without them, where would our inspiration be to write. Hugs to you.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Yeah, the inspiration pretty much wouldn't be there without them!
DeleteI was surprised and happy to see your beautiful smile at tonight’s ANWA meeting. Kari, you are an amazing lady with a lovely spirit. You have been blessed with the gift of influence. I’m grateful for your encouragement and your return to Arizona.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I loved seeing you too, Kellydawn! Thanks for taking the time to chat and catch up after the meeting. I always love your insights.
DeleteKari, thank you for the awesome reminder of all the things I'm so grateful for! :O) ~ Joyce
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, Joyce! Thanks for reading the blog and leaving a comment! hugs~
DeleteWhat grace you have! You stay serene in the middle of so much chaos. That's my goal in life.
ReplyDeletehaha...did you miss that part where I confess to a lack of grace? I didn't publicly post anything about the huge meltdown I had at the church the last Sunday I was in Utah. (so embarrassing!)But thank you, Pam! hugs~
DeleteOnce again Kari, I thank you for a lovely reminder and post.
ReplyDelete