I had spent Easter weekend with my younger brother, Josh, as he was married to his sweetie Megan. It was a plus to get to be in the Mesa, AZ temple with them and to be reminded of the same things that I made promises to not so long ago to my fantastic husband. It is beautiful to see a new family unit created in the House of the Lord and to remember how I had felt on the day I was married, how I felt about my husband then and how I could have never imagined then that I would love him so much more now. I hope that Megan and Josh get the opportunity to go through struggles and hard times but then get through them with the help of the Lord and come out of them ever so much more in love than they were before. But because of flights and what not on Sunday we missed Easter services.
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| Josh and Megan Bell (my mom made the dress, she's pretty amazing) |
Mesa, AZ Temple (the grounds are huge and so gorgeous with the mix of spring flowers, grass, cactus, ponds and organge trees.)
Then last weekend we spent attending the Kansas City temple open house and then the visitors centers in Liberty and Independence. Independence had a great video they showed about the progression of a family that gave me big reminders on how fast time will fly and how I really needed to slow down a bit. There are lots of things that I could put aside to make time to play with my kids before they don't want to play and talk with me anymore. We also made a trip out to St. Louis so that Jason could run a marathon. Which, as most marathons go, was on a Sunday. So we missed church yet again to watch daddy run. We rode the Metrolink in order to catch him running at certain points in the race and I'm glad we did that instead of driving. So many of the roads were blocked it would have been stressful.
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| Kansas City Temple open to the public through April 28th |
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| Jason at mile 20.5 in the St Louis Marathon |
So it was a good feeling to get ready for church today and to walk in on time. Though, like most Sundays, I spend more time at church wrestling with my kids than actually listening to the messages I was able to get some pearls out of what I did hear. In class the teacher talked about how Satan has two ways of getting us off the path to the Lord: he either puffs us up with pride and convices us that we are above the law or he tears us down and makes us feel like we are worthless. I think that I often feel the second one. Especially this week I have been feeling really negative like nobody really liked me or thought that I was cool or someone they could hangout with, confide in or trust. And that is likely all my own fault and I was having my own pitty party like I'm sure we all sometimes do. But there is so much to be grateful for and possitive if we just take time to look around and acknowledge it. I know that I am a daughter of a Heavenly Father who loves me so much that He gave His only Begotten Son. I have a wonderful husband. My kids are all healthy and happy. We have a home and a job. We aren't starving. And we do have some great friends. My goal for this week is to look around and be grateful for one new thing every day. "Count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprize you what the Lord has done." And then not worry about what anyone else does or thinks because that all really doesn't matter.
6 comments:
I am so happy that you are blogging again!
What a beautiful dress!
It's fun that you are back to blogging again. Way to go to Jason on his marathon, and I loved your thoughts on slowing down and enjoying the kids when they are young - always a good reminder for a busy mom!
you always have me :o) come over whenever you need too :o)
glad you are blogging again
Elise, I really needed to read this... Not even sure how I stumbled upon it, other than God meant for me to read it. I often feel, too, that no one actually likes me. I feel that people only like me because they feel that they "have to" like me. Either because I work with them or we go to church together. Satan REALLY attacks me in that way. I especially feel like I have no church friends, but I know that it's actually just because I am not making time for them. I think you're fantastic and definitely worth hanging out with! And of course, I confide in you and sincerely appreciate your advice, especially about the job! You did such a great job for so long that I feel like I can always come to you for help and counsel! Thanks for being you and Praise to God for your blog, to let me know I'm not alone in feeling this way! Don't worry, we ARE daughters of the most high God and satan can't get US down! The war has already been won!
Just saw your comment Justine! You rock and are definitely someone in my life that always makes me feel better about being me!
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