Playing Catch

Today was a good Sunday.

Despite the fact that I woke up hungry, which is never a good sign on Fast Sundays.

But I went to church, and listened to the testimonies, and the wonderful lessons prepared.

I heard a bunch of little things, that maybe weren't even part of the lesson, but that I needed to hear.

I love when that happens.

And then I came home and read this:

Playing Catch with Jesus

And it made me cry.

I cried for the man who went through that.

But I also cried, because it helped me understand how to use the Atonement, in a way that I've never really understood before.

I know how the Atonement helps with our sins.

And I know that my Heavenly Father and Jesus love me and are always there for me.

But like this man, I didn't fully understand how the Atonement worked to take away the everyday, sometimes little, sometimes big, things that aren't caused by anyone doing anything wrong. They just happen and can cause grief and heartache and sorrow.

And then I read this article.

And I had to read it to Brian.

And we both just sat there, smiling, feeling that wonderful feeling of understanding and love.

It all of a sudden made so much more sense.

And I immediately put it into practice.

And it works.

New Calling

Yesterday Brian and I were released as Ward Mission Co-Leader and Ward Missionary (I was also released as Primary Pianist). But the Bishop didn't give us much of a break. We were also called as Nursery Leaders.

I was a little hesitant about this calling at first, but after the bishop set me apart and gave me a blessing I know that this calling is from God. The bishop gave me a very personal blessing, addressing concerns and issues that I hadn't even discussed with him. It was a huge testimony builder that God knows me and that he communicates directly with bishop's about their congregation members. I cried and the bishop cried and the Spirit was very strong.

Today the bishop sent Brian and I an email reiterating his love for us and expounding on the blessing he'd given me the day before. It made me break down in tears at work (thankfully my boss wasn't here). I love our bishop and really appreciate the concern and love he has for our ward.

After this experience I have decided that I need to focus more on having faith that when we ask, we shall receive. Brian's been telling me for months to be positive and I finally made the connection that being positive is the same thing as having faith. So that's what I'm going to do.

Be Glad & Have Faith.

Friends, Temple & Family

This past Sunday was a hard day for me. It was my due date.

But it ended up being a great day because it made me realize what great friends I have in this ward.

I bore my testimony in Relief Society and I bawled all the way through it. But afterward I got some great hugs.

That evening Marci invited us over for dinner, but she didn't have anything planned yet. I had already started preparing our dinner so I just offered to bring it over to their house. It turned out pretty well (I was trying a new recipe). And then we had yummy Pazookies for dessert. We had a great night talking and laughing and playing with Aria. She put Brian and I in time out, and then spent the whole night flirting with Brian. I'll have to keep my eye on her. :) I even got to hold baby Corbin for a little bit.

That night another friend Aubrey brought me homemade cinnamon rolls, and the next night another friend brought chocolate-marshmallow-nut-thingy's. (BTW, I don't know who brought those and I have their plate. If you want it back you have to let me know your identity.) Thank you to everyone for your love!

~~

Last night was our Stake Temple Night because next weekend is Stake Conference. Brian and I were able to go and I'm so grateful we did. Temple attendance is something we struggle with because Brian never knows what nights he'll have to stay late so it makes it hard to plan. Anyway, there are always a million excuses aren't there? We're trying to do better.

We attended the Chapel Session with our Stake and one thing that stood out to me was about how the temple is all about sealing families together. Everything thing we do is to get the families to the point where they can be sealed. I spent the whole session so grateful for the sealing that took place between me and Brian and our future children. It made a big impact on me.

I had some personal insights during and after the temple session that have made a big difference in my life. I am still sad about losing my baby, but after the things I learned in the temple, I now have a peace that I didn't have before. I know what I need to do to go forward and I have more strength to do it.

Blessing:

Writing out a check this morning for your husband's field trip, that you hadn't planned on, but had to do anyway.

Then going to work & checking your bank balance, only to find out that his pay check was unexpectedly deposited today for almost the same amount.

*thank you*