Blessings

Finally got pictures from Caley!!  This is Caley's companion, Hermana Powell.  She's Caley's trainer and first companion.



This is their apartment:  You gotta love that front gate and the infamous pile of wood in the second picture.









I got an actual letter from Caley for my birthday!  In it she asks what blessings have I received from her and Josh being on a mission.  Do you feel that you are growing closer to people in the ward or in our family and with Christ?

I had to stop and think about those blessings.  Everyone has said you will get twice the blessings for having two out on a mission.  We have been blessed, just not in ways I thought.  Sometimes challenges are placed in our lives to help us see those blessings that come afterwards.  For example, my husband has needed to take FMLA for medical reasons.  We have been blessed to have 12 weeks of paid leave since he never calls in sick.  He's had the time to see doctors during the day because of it.  We've been blessed to have several doctors that made correct diagnoses and get him on the right medications and that we have insurance to pay for it all.

Somehow bills are getting paid even though the logical math doesn't make sense.  I know what we come home with every month, but somehow it's all working out.  My testimony has gotten stronger that the Lord does indeed know our challenges and provides a way for us to work through them.  I've become more humble in my prayers and a better listener to the answers given.  For those that are struggling, don't give up.  Prayers do go past the ceiling instead of bouncing off the wall.  Take the time to listen as the spirit speaks in a still small voice that is gentle and caring.

1 Kings Chapter 19 verses 11-13

The Lord talking to Elijah:

And he said, Go forth and stand upon the mount before the Lord, And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind was an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake;

And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

Elijah was able to then talk to God about his questions because he listened to the still small voice, not the "noise" of today's world.