Moving on cheerfully

Ok, You'll be happy to know that I said Yes to saying the prayer at the funeral and am praying hard to know the right words to say.

              { I can do hard things. }

I am choosing this moment as one of joy, growth and enduring even though it is hard. In doing so I ponder and pray and take time not just to read my scriptures, but to reach out and breathe in goodness from others.

It is intersting how some people can parellel your

        "life doings" and "thinkings"...

as I read a post from the blog  yoursistercircle.com about one of the sisters' loving ordeal with her hubby's depression. I think of my own daughter struggling, and when I see the request from @yoursistercircle on IG for stories of faith, I am glad I have one in my heart. 

And yet another lady on IG,  @katherinemaries  writes of how spending a half hour doing crafts with her 2 year old calms her soul & I think of the joy created here in my home with Little Em when we are all alone, with the other Littles at school and how much I look forward to the time we share together as we bond and create. 

Yet another mother whom I love, at @therosylifeblog lets the messes pile in order to enjoy life more fully, and I too have let go of the deep cleaning and just make sure the clutter is kept at bay so that I have more time to play. 

I think that I am not surrounded by these women by chance even if they don't know me personally, we are a lot more alike than different, we are drawn to each other, but the two of greatest things that we have in common are that WE ARE children of God and sisters through Him!!

When we think we are the only one with struggles, or are all alone in them, we are not,  and not just because He is there, but because we are ALL there, everyone has struggles. That is how we grow. The more we share and help bear each other's burden's the closer we become to Christ. 

This is why I share...

This morning I woke with a sore throat and Little Em woke me up every two hours last night. I  really wanted to sleep in, but I was almost propelled to the table where my scriptures were waiting. I have been reading and studying The Book of Mormon and have found much joy in it's words. Recently keeping a scripture journal has really increased my application of Christ-like attributes. I am able to apply principles learned much easier as I read, ponder, journal and pray.  So....Here is the page I was delighted to see that it was very pertinent to me.

It is about enduring.

 Highlighted in yellow, previously by my sister. {;)}

I turned to the scripture referenced in 

Mosiah 24:15  and immediately sent this as a group message to all my sisters. 👭👭

It seems that with the illness of my children at this time, which I know won't last, and dealing with Gigi's abscess, although I know it will heal...and then the death of our adopted Gpa and getting courage to attend the funeral and say the prayer(!)... plus the depression of Biggest Little on my mind and then my sweet big-sister's sufferings made known, and the  news of my Mother-in-love and GrandGary coming home early from their mission because of heart problems...I feel a little overwhelmed. 

Add a pile of dishes sky high because of all the distractions to and fro to the doctors...with no dish soap for the pots and pans{!!!} and you have a mess. 

 I think how is this not all too much?? It does feel like quite a lot when all written out and stacked up upon each other like a house of cards...but I am lifted. 

I think I was suppose to read what I read TODAY, even though it just HAPPENED TO BE the next page for me to read!!  I was already feeling encouraged from my sisters words "you can do hard things", but these words made me feel validated that I was on the right track and that happiness was within me and that is what happens when you have The Lord on your side. 

But still you'd think that  ALL THIS JUNK would all get the best of me and maybe in the past it would have...

But not now, heck no!! Not now!!  I will be brave and move on!!

I will not be discouraged, I will be cheerful. I do know that The Lord does strengthen me. I will rest today. I will wake up ready and whole tomorrow, attend the funeral and then come home and pack to babysit my younger sister's little ones while they go on a cruise that has been planned for weeks, and then enjoy those Littles and my own, and rest and play in the beauty that God has given us. 

My mantra...

I will not feel overwhelmed. I will be lifted and encouraged and have a cheerful heart. {:)}

I guess that is what a lot of battle scars has done for me. It makes it easier for me to see the Lords hands in things and know that mostly things do turn out for the best. I have known for a long time now that with Christ all things are possible,  and through Him is much happiness. 

Ok... I love that I can get that all out, write it all down and share. The Littles are watching Little women and eating Nilla wafers and fruit for lunch while I rest up for tomorrow.  

I promise to get back to my artsy fartsy self soon. I really want to share my new project "art in a shopping cart" and a new IG feed just for crafts...but there will be time for that later....but just so you know...through all this...we are still creating. {;)} I have tons of backdate blog post to catch up on, mostly fun and frivolous... but not if you consider finding joy and happiness important to share. 

 {:)}While Little Em painted...

I took the time to paint this little girl right by her side. I've been doing this more lately, instead of setting her up and watching her, I am sitting and creating with her...even more enjoyable. 

Miss Lovely Lady Lips - speaks words or kindness

These little girls are coming alive. I feel a story coming on...I thought of naming this one Pearly Patience. I'm not quite sure yet...  She still needs some finishing touches.

Stay focus on happiness not just on the world, but in Him. 

From me to you w love, M