Let this week end!

This week has been CRAZY! It just feels like I have been torn every which way. Payten had her testing yesterday to gain acceptance into the 5/6 homeschooling program next year, Jackson and Brooklyn test next week. Hopefully they will all do well because it is a great program that we really loved this year. For those that haven't followed my blog long it is a two day a week program that allows homeschooled kids a classroom experience and also allows them to pick from a whole list of extras like ice skating, art classes, music, foreign languages,fencing, honestly the list goes on and on! It has been a great addition to our homeschooling adventure. Jenell moves on Saturday and although I know it will make things easier for them it really doesn't make things easier for me. Although they will only be 25 minutes away it is 20 minutes more than now. Michelle had her sweet boy on Sunday and pushed him out 10 minutes before I got there(brat). Jason has been pretty much gone all week between school work and clinical work. One more month and school will be done( for him not me I school the kids all year long=)

See it Through

So I have been contemplating life and how it is perpetually changing. I believe that we all have many times in our lives where we become complacent and take for granted many of the simple things in our lives. Everywhere I turn I am bombarded by these truths. Every person I care about is experiencing changes right now, for example jobloss, house loss, illness, divorce, unstable job, moving, marriage and new baby. I cannot remember a time when I literally cannot think of anyone who is not being affected in some way. Although not everyone is struggling I can't help but feel the effects of the challenging times around the corner for each of us. None of us know when our time of faith and endurance will be put to the test but we can all be assured that it will come. It amazes me how many warnings we have been given for such things but somehow when it happens it can feel so unexpected. I never realized that my greatest trial would be one that would not happen directly to me but to a loved one but honestly that is what in some ways increases the trial because I not only feel the pain for myself but for my niece and my sister. Although I know that there are still many trials to come it truly gives perspective to those trials after enduring watching Avarie suffer. But I have Faith that there is more to it then having a better perspective, How can we be like him if we don't also endure heartache and pain. I am so glad that I don't have to endure anything alone and I am so thankful that I was taught to have an eternal perspective, somedays it is the only thing that gets me through. Here's a poem I found one day when I was struggling to endure it helped me so maybe it might help someone else
SEE IT THROUGH

by Edgar A. Guest (1881-1959)

When you're up against a trouble,
Meet it squarely, face to face;
Lift your chin and set your shoulders,
Plant your feet and take a brace.
When it's vain to try to dodge it,
Do the best that you can do;
You may fail, but you may conquer,
See it through!

Black may be the clouds about you
And your future may seem grim,
But don't let your nerve desert you;
Keep yourself in fighting trim.
If the worst is bound to happen,
Spite of all that you can do,
Running from it will not save you,
See it through!

Even hope may seem but futile,
When with troubles you're beset,
But remember you are facing
Just what other men have met.
You may fail, but fall still fighting;
Don't give up, whate'er you do;
Eyes front, head high to the finish.
See it through!

I posted this before but needed to post it again dedicated to my sister and her family

The following story is a great example of how the Lord teaches and molds us through life's trials.

There was a group of women in a Bible study on the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter three, they came across verse three which says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." (Malachi 3:3) This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study. That week this woman called up a silver smith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest in silver beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silver smith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot--then she thought again about the verse, that he sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.

She asked the silver smith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silver smith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"

He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy--when I see my reflection in it."

Author unknow

April's Here

So it is finally April which is my month! I wish it would get warmer though so more tulips and daffodils could be seen. Well spring break is over and we actually did a lot of fun things with them, today was the highlight we went ice skating! We had won tickets last year to go and had never used them yet. The kids did sooo good. I am definitely putting them all in lessons next year. Jason has been reading the Twilight series this week and should finish by morning! I love discussing the books with him it has been really fun. Tomorrow is General Conference for our church and I am so excited to spend two days hearing all the talks. I am so in need of the peace it brings to my life. The last conference in October was the day before Avarie was diagnosed with Cancer and I know without a doubt that it was the most meaningful one of my life. I truly hope that this weekend will bring the same comfort to me as well. I love that my birthday is so close every year to it and this year even Easter shares my birth week. Hopefully one of these times we'll make it to Utah to see it in person. Well I have to get up early to get everything ready for the fun. We print out packets for the kids so they have things to do while watching it. Our rule is they have to be in the same room and sit quietly. So to make that a reality I have lots of quiet things ready for them a long with snacks. Did I also mention we all camp out in the office, we might try our room though this time. Anyways I hope that you all have a chance to watch it.