some sound advice and amazing technology

I have found myself to be a bit of a slump, at my wits end, frustrated with myself, wondering what I am supposed to be accomplishing right now, or whatever that frame of mind should be called, more often than not since moving.  I wonder.... could it be that:

• it's taken 1/2 or more of the year to feel like we have our feet on the ground and understand the "way they do things" or to make friends
• Garrett simultaneously moved into his "tween" years and heaven help us -- they are rough.
• everything...and I do mean everything has a higher price here
• the kids have much tougher school work
• Philip's work hours are back to being very high and it doesn't make it any easier that we don't live near the office and his children are seeming to need him more 
• I have questioned our decision to move more than once and always, within hours, remembered it was right.  That in itself is confusing to me.
• I just plain old feel like we are wandering in the wilderness 
• I didn't have a calling or a "place" in the ward for a good three months and when I got it I didn't feel needed.  
• others don't see Garrett for who he has become and the long row he has had to hoe. 
• We will be moving again...ugh.

Then I realized:

• I like a lot of the way "they do things here" and our kids have more friends here than they ever did in Layton.
• Garrett's tween years, while they are rough, are teaching me much about myself and helping me to love him even more.  He has worked so VERY hard to get where he is today and I respect him for that.  
• money is just money -- end of story. 
• tougher school work makes for more diligent children.  They aren't any smarter, I'm sure of that, but they are learning some excellent study skills that will help them later on.
• we have really missed Philip being here.  We miss his smiling face...he is usually stressed about work...but we see that the first rough year is over and we have high hopes for this year. 
• I know we are in the right place...even if it's confusing. 
• I remember Lehi who wandered in the wilderness...and rejoiced in the positive things.  
• I'm so grateful for my calling as Ward Missionary now -- I love visiting people in their home and I love talking about the gospel.  It make me happy!  Wednesday nights are my favorite now.
• Others' don't need to see Garrett for who he was.  He is only accountable to the Lord.  If they judge him wrongly -- it's on them.  I hope I can remember that lesson forever because it's tough to hear negative things about your child when you know they are doing their best.  
• I need to live in the now.  I can't change the things that are inevitable.  I can only "cherish today"

Now on to the sound advice part.....
I have a very cherished friend here,  Amy.  I'm not sure if she knows that she has pretty much carried me through this past year.  Constantly texting and phoning when she could amidst her incredibly busy life with her 4 children, RS  Presidency calling, extended family on both sides and many other things....she was my guardian angel.  With Philip gone all summer, she would come over to swim with her kids, bring us food when we were sick, and just call to check on me. She is a mix of my friend Michelle, who never utters a negative word, and my friend Candace, who doesn't let her emotions get the best of her.  I call these ladies my kind and flat friends.:)  LOL.  (not intended to be taken the wrong way)  They have emotions...lots of them...but they are able to keep them in check.  To remember the important things in life and to live them. 

One day I was chatting with Amy and she told me that when she feels like she's at her wits end (I'm not ignorant enough to think these women aren't incredibly familiar with where "wit's end" is) she listens to General Conference.  Ah what a novel idea...I think I've heard something like that before.:)  For some reason, this time it resonated so strong with me that I needed to do that.  I have since downloaded Conference onto my phone so that when I am nearing that bitter wit's end...with the touch of a few buttons I can be taught by the prophets so many faith inspiring messages. 

I am so grateful for Amy's advice and for technology that makes it possible to fit conference into a busy life.  I was listening to it in Target the other day --- what could be better...Target and Conference...all at once.  Good - bye wits end...hello happiness!