firm foundations

It seems we live paralel lives these days.  Philip has been extremely busy with work since the first day we got here to Henderson.  It was wearing on us and it started to let up the first part of this year...until it went full throttle again.  These boys that work for the Scouts have always worked hard, especially those months (years) at camp.  But with the economy it seems we are all working harder.  Less money = less jobs = more work for those who have jobs.  SO -- while, hands down, I'm thrilled we have a fabulous career with the BSA and am extremely grateful to be employed right now -- Philip is doing the the same job he did in Trapper Trails...along with 2 other positions.  And recently their finance employee was let go, so that means another job to be split between Philip and 2 other employees.  Anyway - needless to say he's busier. 

I, have learned my lesson the hard way, once again.  I wasn't so busy with anything other than kids when we first got here.  And I didn't see the benefit of that.  I should have, I really should have.  Now -- life is full of visiting teaching, training, compassionate service, fall festivals, lessons, activities, welfare, meetings, etc.  It is honestly neverending.  I have been in 3 Relief Society Presidencies as a counselor.  I thought I knew what a RS President did, I realize now....what did I know?  Nothing.  The weight of this stewardship is amazing.  I do LOVE this calling though, I really do.  I wouldn't want it any different becuase I am growing.  It's just that most of the time growth hurts...and I find myself hurting a lot lately. 

I am extra grateful for the texts I get from Rene asking me if I am expereiencing certain things that go along with this calling to which I quickly reply "YES"  and with a few more exchanges I know there is someone who understands life right now.  I am thankful to Heavenly Father who put us in this calling at the same time so we can relate when we feel like we are going to lose it.:)  Each of us is so crazy busy with regular crazy life and this added in that the texts are few and far between but we know we have each others back.

I am so grateful for my testimony of this gospel that has laid the foundation for these rocky times.  I know that Heavenly Father only gives us what we can handle.  It was said the other day during a lesson that "we know that Heavenly Father only gives us what we can handle, but we forget we can only handle it when we ask Him for help."  What a tremendous opportunity we have to humble ourselves and include our Heavenly Father in all that we do. 

That is the only way we will get through this time we are in right now.  I've said it a million times since we've moved and I'll say it again - we knew we needed to move from Layton because we were not growing anymore.  We had become too happy and comfy with our life and we felt the apathy setting in.  Apathy can be quite a pleasant place for awhile and then it gets stale.  We KNOW we are doing what the Lord would have us.  Our growth here has been amazing...we continue to take one step back and two steps forward.  We don't know specifically what we need to learn from this -- but we know we are learning. It feels a lot like our earlier years in the Sun Hills Ward in which we learned amazing things.  With the Lord we will figure it out! 

The missionary work we are experiencing here has been out of this world.  I will post next week as we have a baptism and another temple sealing to attend.  We had two baptisms last August and this year they are both getting sealed to their spouses.  We have 2 other sisters scheduled for baptism as well.  Love it!!

I am eternally grateful for a husband who understands this even better than I at times.  He is patient and loving and we are learning to communicate better every day.  We have weekly conversations about what the Lord wants for us and how to attain that. Through this rocky road -- I wouldn't have it any other way.