You know the saying "Stop the world, I want to get off!"... just like a scary roller coaster ride this month has been such a series of highs and lows that I feel a bit nauseous.
1. Barry's plant is closing (when? No one knows.) Impending unemployment.
2. Barry is hired back at the base. (start date? No one knows.) Limbo - my most unfavorite state of being!
3. The weather warms, the days are longer.
4. Sudden cold snaps - the house is cold but I don't want to turn the heat back on.
5. Tori seems to have her head on straight academically - making a real effort but struggles with one class.
6. Tori does not have her head on straight emotionally - first love causing lots of rule breaking and friction.
7. The cat had four kittens last Monday -- so cute -- but will be sad when they have to leave.
8. Francesca is loving her afterschool program of once-a-week kick-ball.
9. Francesca was sick for an entire week. High temp, throwing up, dehydration, elevated heart rate, and finally diagnosed with atypical pneumonia. A little scary -- but a round of antibiotics and she was good as new!
10. I'm finally doing more Real Estate work again. The market is still not the greatest - but the summer is the busier time -- I'm so going to make hay while the sun shines.
So as you can see -- it's a mixed bag, but that's life. I'm trying to count my blessings and not my trials -- especially knowing that others' trials are more severe than mine.
I have a lot to be thankful for. Which brings to mind a cute story I heard at our broadcast of stake confernce last week. Brother Porter told it. There was a Sunbeam (3-yr old) who was giving the closing prayer in Primary (children's services at church). His Primary teacher was close by to help if needed. The youngster started his prayer with, "Dear Heavenly Father thank you for the letter A. Heavenly Father thank you for the letter B..." The primary teacher was a bit anxious about what she should do but let him continue. "Heavenly Father thank you for the letter C..." and on he went through the entire alphabet. Then the little boy said, "Dear Heavenly Father I thank you for the number 1." Now the poor Primary teacher was panicked, how high could the little guy count? On he went until he reached number 20. Finally the little boy said, "Heavenly Father, thank you for my Primary teacher, who is the only grown up who's ever let me finish my prayer."
So taking my cue from the story -- I'm thankful for big things and little things and even my trials. Because it is through my trials more than my blessings that I know how much my Heavenly Father cares about me and is mindul of my needs and shortcomings. I'm praying for a less intense roller coaster ride this next month (kiddie style would suit me fine!!)
