Family

We had some extended family driving through the other day. I love having them drop in on us! This time they came with some of the younger clan. The youngest, a little girl one-year senior to my three year old and the only girl, having 3 older brothers. On her way to our house she was told of my little one and said "Can she be my forever-sister-cousin?"

Shortly after meeting and playing together, my daughter was over heard saying: "Will you be staying with us forever?"

Later in the evening my little one did everything in her power to keep the night young. She didn't want her new found friend to leave. Finally when I was able to get her in her bed, she was sobbing. She wanted her new found friend to "stay forever."

I had the girlish whim, hoping for the same thing. But as reality is, we have to go our separate ways. The comfort is found in knowing we are family and our paths will pass again.

An Awareness in Differences

To begin this entry I should share this little tid-bit, and that is, we live in a small community(though if you talk to someone born and raised there, they well tell you it is a booming metropolis, one of their larger cities). We have farmers for miles and miles again. Our town has very little cultural diversity. The diversity that is there blends in with ease.

Today I am visiting my parent who live in a much larger city. Salt Lake City to be exact. Here there is a lot of diversity. To spend some of the day we decided to run a couple errands that can only be ran here. At our last stop our checker just happened to be African.

My daughter says with concern in her voice: "Look. She has black skin!"

Red crept into my cheeks I am sure, as I tried to come up with something. Not a moment too late, I had this thought and shared it with her: "God makes many people with many colors, because he likes variety. He likes to spice things up."

That seemed to be all she needed, she turned to the checker and announced with her biggest smile: "I would like this popcorn chicken please."

Prayer

"As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God(namely, God is our Father, and we are his children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part(Matt 7:7-11). Many of the so called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship.

Prayer is the act by which the will of the father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of the God, but to secure for ourselves the blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings." ~BD, Prayer

I was reminded of the truth in this quote last night. Reminded of who I am. That I have to do my part to achieve the goals I set. Also, that God is more than willing to help me in my weaknesses. I only need remember our relationship, His and my active roles.

A few differences of God and our fathers here on earth is: He is perfect. He is all knowing. And He loves us, no matter how many times we fall, if we reach for Him as Peter reached for Christ on the sea*, He will lift us up. He will help us brush off and go forward. He gives us strength when we think we have gone as far as we can. He understands us completely.

As I come to understand this more, it is easier for me to turn to Him. It is easier to recognize He really does want what is best for me. In wanting what is best for me He is going to stretch me, sometimes more than I feel is necessary. However, if I am willing to put my trust in Him, His role and turn to Him in humility I can and will find the strength to move forward. I will succeed and I will find true happiness.

*Matthew 14:25-31 My favorite verses of these given are 30 and 31, so I will quote them here:
30- "But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid(speaking of Peter); and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord save me."

now, here is my favorite part:
31- "And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"

Now, Peter was chastised for doubting, but of all of the apostles, he was the only one with faith enough to try. Christ loved him enough to reach for him immediately after being asked for help. I just find this comforting.

A Mid-Wifes Tale

I just finished this most excellent book! If you are interested in history, maybe the understanding of the late 1700's, early 1800's from the perspective of an average woman of that time period, you will enjoy this book. The author studied and researched may archival books and papers to help the reader understand the underlying "web" of Martha's life and a little of her community.

For me the book was not easy read. However, when I had a bit of time to myself it was a pleasant read.

Mostly I found the book interesting because I try to journal some myself. As I read the things Martha encountered, though her settings differ from my own, I found that many of lifes trials are the same, worry over children, finances, the need of friends and trust, along with the seasons life presents us with. They are much the same. And through these trials we have the same Being to whom we can turn for comfort and find peace. And when we place our lives in his hands, we too can be molded into a better, more understanding person.

Welcome to 2010!!!

The New year has rolled around, and here we are! 2010 who'd ever thought! Well, we had a great New Years, not the tradition, that's for sure. We had one sick, and another packing for College...and he's off!

Watched a couple movies Cars, Ratatouille, Flushed Away all while enjoying some divine chips and dip. Had the littlest ones in bed by ten-thirty, and folded laundry off and on, it was a great time!

We did celebrate about 5 after the new year with some sparkling cider, and grape juice...oh! and we discovered a great Pomegranate sparkly this year! Then it was off to taking care of a sick boy, and another coming down with the bug. Luckily for me the bug only lasts about 12 hours.

This is going to be an adventurous year, I can feel it in my bones! Grab on tight, keep you appendages in the car, and if the wind doesn't take your breath with the descent, well holler for the fun of it!