Faith Bouying - In the Face of Adversity- Hope

I have been blessed by the ladies who I share time and space with on Our Ladies Room as a part of LDSWA. I am bouyed up by thier faith and love and spirit and concern for all those who participate.
One person posted a link to this video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqaesQ2EE8w

I was overcome, the spirit was so strong and the feeling of confirmation of these things was powerful. I knew right then and there that I have a testimony of this topic without a second blink.
Enjoy the 3+ minutes the message has and feel of its power too!

Also while I have your attention, If you have been praying for all those in my life who have recently gone through some serious trials, I thank you. Mother-in-law spent 5 days in ICU and a sixth in regular room. She is home now and recovering. Uncle-in-law's recurrence of b-cell lymphoma in his shoulder is reacting to treatment and tumor is shrinking. He has accepted treatment well and is "ready" to go back to work. He can't yet per his doctor but he is encouraged. The lay-offs continue at work, and while I'm not affected physically, the grief of loss of these people I have worked closely with is beginning to come to terms.
Bicycle man's boss just threw a rather large wrench into our one car family and our perfect no childcare plan. We face another challenge, of either changing jobs for him or struggling by on one income, at least until this other position gets to a point of pay. With less than 99 days to Christmas and fewer to halloween and Thanksgiving we are looking for creative ways to make it great and the kids not recognize that much is different.

Having Faith and being Thankful
On the opposite side of needing prayers is the balancing power of gratitude and faith. So I am going to list many of the things I am grateful for, as I'm sure all would take me more time that I have.

While I am saddened and concerned by the destruction of those who have been victim to the multiple forces of nature in recent months I am thankful for the challenges I must face and that they are not the same.
I am thankful for a relatively healthy family, close friends, and people who look out for us and each other.
I am thankful for my ability and opportunity to serve. It might not be in the biggest or most visible way but it keeps me busy and allows others to be blessed.
I am thankful that I have work and an income even when it is not ideal.
I am thankful for a roof over my head, clothes to wear, food to eat, a church to attend, the gospel and its prophets and leaders.
I am thankful for a sound mind and the ability to fully use my body.
I am thankful for my safety and my testimony.


Blessings,
Lisa

Following the Prophet

So, as the weather has been cooler at night and somewhat warm in the day, I decided to check on my garden plot out back. It looked like a frost may have touched it, or at least torn as wether to grow or not, anymore. So... I decided that my carrots tops coming through the top of the soil looked sizable enough, my peppers had turned the proper colors, I had red tomatoes and brown hairs hat the top of my corn. I knew I had some cucumbers still growing, I peaked under the shady leaves and plucked two cucumbers. And I know its only September, but I have three Orange pumpkins threatening to be ripe enough to eat (by bugs).

Now comes the interesting part. I think my garden missed the fertilizer I fed it, the water I carefully soaked the soil with and the ladybugs that graced the leaves of my cucumber plant and carrots. Because they are all really small. I grew a miniature garden this year. It wasn't my first year growing a successful garden and I hope it not to be my last, but this year it seemed like it had no oomph. So, there are a couple of pictures to share my most recent spoils. But before you glance and think I did fine, spot the quarter in front of the orange pepper for size reference. LOL

All I can do is hum the song.... Follow the Prophet! Clearly, this was not my year to live off my garden. Lets be thankful of that!