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

The Week That Ends On New Horizons

This last week I was blessed with the opportunity to take my sister and her 3 children to Chicago which is close to their new home in Iowa. (It was the closest I could get them anyway for the expense of taxes.) I stayed in a luxurious hotel and this trip was the opportunity to realize a dream I didn't know I would fulfill.

I literally dreamed of this place about 5 or 6 years ago. I felt an overwhelming feeling of disbelief as I saw in great detail the buildings I remember being in and staying in. The hotel was wonderful; 5 star, and the employee rate was fabulous for the accommodation. I assume I may never fully understand the impact of that trip for me. Because my dreams I have had are starting to come to pass.

I was looking forward to having a long intimate chat with my sister, but 4 kids and flying standby in whatever seats are available meant that it did not take place.

I had my little guy with me and he was a perfect angel. On our return to the airport we were waiting for our plane to arrive as Chicago had set an Air Traffic Control hold on the inbound aircraft of about 2 and a half hours. After the plane arrived it needed a new part. They thought they had found it at Midway. It arrived and turned out to be incompatible. So we had to wait for the next plane to come in which was also late due to ATC. All in all we left 8 hours and 11 minutes late. We arrived in Seattle at 2:28am and caught the 6am flight home to Portland. I dropped off the sleepy head and took a short nap before I had to return for my 10 hour shift at 1pm. Whew!

Despite the 4 hour bumpy flight in First Class and the extensive waiting. I enjoyed the trip.
I will see if I can post a couple of pictures of Roadrunner later.

After arriving home and finally getting some sleep over the last couple of days, we rounded the week out with Bookworm excitedly announcing her break into womanhood. So, what do you do when you hit that milestone. Go shopping for a cute purse of course!

I knew that some of the family broke that milestone early. I was just hoping for my girls sake it would be a little later than sooner. :0(