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

Cute Kid Stuff!

I don't know about you, but we have been working hard on Valentine's boxes and other projects. Its been fun to see the creativity on a dime. Roadrunner has been busy putting together his "Cars" Valentines and has been asking me for Valentines wrapping paper to wrap his tissue box in. Since this month has been a little leaner because of hours cut back I told him he'd have to make his own decorations and glue them to his box. He finally caught on and used a few pieces of White printer paper and with mom's help glued it on. Then he did all of the decorating. Pleased with his work he told me that if he gives Sydney a valentine, she'll give him a hug.

I wanted to fall through the floor, he's five... aren't girls supposed to be icky or something? Don't get me wrong Sydney's a sweet girl he's had a couple of playdates with but what kind of date's did he think he was having. Maybe I'm being an overreacting mother but can't help but be a little alarmed and charmed at the same time.

Here are some pictures of the works of progress. The bees are for Family Home Evening.

Some other cute stuff. Roadrunner and I we're walking home from the bus this afternoon... He stopped and pulled off of a neighbor's bush a little silly string. He told me that he was holding some snow that hadn't melted yet. As he cradled it in his hand he declared again that it still hadn't melted. I tried to tell him in one of the first real sunny days we've had in a long while that we are not anywhere near cold enough for snow and that he was holding a piece of silly string. I'm not sure he believed me.

As for our project ie Rearranging the house... We have successfully cleaned the livingrom even the carpet. The second goal was to move the second computer to the livingroom. That too is done. A third task is done but out of order.... But I am not complaining as it is still closer to the end goal. That is the Van from the accident 2 years ago is finally removed from the garage. It is being cleaned of its Transmission and then will be taken to the Scrapyard. Now we just have to pay it off so we can actually take it there. That's where tax return comes in.

My Livingroom furniture crammed into my diningroom so my carpet can be cleaned.

David finishes the carpet cleaning with our versatile Kirby.

Tax Return this year and a focus to be prepared has got us "gazelle intense" as Dave Ramsey would say. (www.DaveRamsey.Com) We should be complete with Baby Step One and moving well into Baby Step Two with our return... then with the Stimulus Package we will continue. By the end of the year we don't think we'll be entirely debt free minus the house, but we will be well on our way. Paying off the Van will be one of the first things we do. What this may mean to you is if we have taken personal loans from you in the last 13 years... expect it back in the next one.

The scripture that says... A house of order, A house of Prayer, is a house of God. (In not those exact words) Yes, that is our goal. A house of order... Our theme for 2008... means we will be prepared.