HUMBLED

As if my children don't humble me enough... I got a new calling on Sunday. It came as quite a shock. Our new ward is just getting up and going but we hit the ground running, what else can you do, the gospel keeps rolling forward you know. Anyhow on Sunday I got a call while getting ready for church, can you come in a bit early? Sure. I figured they were just going to call me back to my old calling in Sunbeams. Wrong. First counselor in the Primary. WOW! Very humbled. I'm blessed to be in the presidency with some awesome women and I'm already growing to love them more, some I didn't know well before. I'm pleasantly surprised to feel a definite change in our home since being set apart. And in myself. The Lord has definitely tempered my spirit and it's much more peaceful here. I see it in my kids too. There has been less fighting and more kindness and helpfulness. And it hasn't even been a week, it can only get better from here. I'm so thankful for this opportunity to serve and learn. I can already see that I'll be the most blessed for my service.

WHAT A GREAT LIFE!!!!!

I know my life is far from glamorous, I don't have much, and by much I mean almost no, spare time but I find enough to do what needs to be done, mostly. My kids aren't perfect, but how boring would that be? We don't have buckets of money, but we have enough. My kids have been taking turns staying up all night vomiting, but they are alive and relatively well, no cancer or anything life threatening. My husband is, in my humble opinion, the best man in the world even though he loves to call me over for a kiss then fart in my kitchen with me stuck there. My kids are awesome, they are loving and considerate and thoughtful and hardworking. My husband honors the priesthood and our home is blessed everyday for it. He is supportive and hardworking and fun and funny and humble and of course, super studly! I am blessed with great friends!!!! I KNOW the gospel is true and it makes obedience easier; that sure knowledge gives me the strength to do my best and most importantly, not give up when I'm tired and frustrated or just disappointed. I'm blessed to be able to turn to my Father in Heaven every night, and often during the day, for strength and guidance and support. I'm equally blessed to feel his love through the service and friendship of wonderful people that somehow know what to say when I need to hear it. I truly have a great life. What more could I ask for?

BLESSINGS OF PAYING TITHING FIRST

I have to admit that it's not been hard for me to pay our tithe first. It's the very first check I write when Ryan gets paid. A couple of weeks ago I was driving home from church and started thinking about it and sort of marveling that it wasn't hard and wondering why some people struggle with it. I started thinking about just how much we pay every month and that of course led to what I could be spending that money on, a new truck, a bigger house, new clothes etc. and I thought wow that really is alot of money... of course that is why some people struggle with it. We could easily stop paying our tithe and spend the money elsewhere but of course it would never be enough. All the blessings we would lose could NEVER cover the money kept. Since my little conversation in my head that has been reinforced over and over again. I thought today about all of the tithing blessings we have received in just the last month. We thought the car needed new brakes, took it in, nope, cost $56 for adjustment instead of $200 for new brakes. We knew the truck would need new brakes. Heavy Duty is generally more expensive, ouch, figure $400-$500. Walked away under $270. Truck started pulling hard left. Back to get it looked at, covered under brake warranty. FREE! Truck started having fuel problems. Ouch, expect $1200 for new injector worst case plus labor. Problem covered under warranty at Jones from previous work done, FREE! Steering column broken by previous owner, best estimate $300 to rebuild as Ford doesn't make the part anymore. Fabulous mechanic/friend got it fixed for $100! AJ locked us out of our own bedroom last night at 4:55 pm. Someone thought it would be a good idea to put a keyed lock on the master suite, not us btw. After hours locksmith, figured over $100. Back into our bedroom for $75, still alot of money for 10 minutes work but not as bad as it could have been. I could go on and on and on but you get the drift. Not that I needed reminding or reinforcing but I sure am grateful for the blessings of paying a full tithe without pausing. We'll probably never be wealthy and that's ok. Somehow, Ryan's pay has been enough and he has been able to keep his job amidst layoffs and for these and so many more blessings we are grateful!