Is It Wrong To Love A Chair?!

Yesterday I waited, on pins and needles. They gave me a 4 hour window to their arrival.

Since the downward spiral of last year and our move we didn't have room to pack all of our belongings in the truck...instead we left some behind. We left a lot behind. Our couches and chairs were the first victims. Instead, upon arrival we bought several cheap butterfly chairs. They were wonderful at first as an alternative to sitting on the ground. However, as the days, weeks and months passed so did their health as they all began to break apart. The frames broke, the cushions broke and were resewn several times. However, we made due, not complaining.

Upon arrival of our tax rebate check we began to snoop around the sales until we found just the right furniture. Instead of a couch we opted to buy two recliners, something to bring us comfort...in our old age.

Yesterday we waited, hoping the wait wouldn't last too long. At 10:59am the call came, they were nearby and on their way into the apartment complex. Our beloved new family members have arrived...and we sat. Our backs screamed with gratitude as we set the recliners to their fully stretched out position. No much longer and I was dead asleep...Oh what a glorious nap it was.

Can a person fall in love with a chair?

Just checking!

ART Update!!!

Corinna received her results for the Visual Scholastic Art Event which happened on Saturday. After 6 months of classwork she earned level four for her art, which basically means she mastered the techniques she was taught. She was awarded a medal to signify her accomplishment. And though she will not head to the state competition we are so proud...especially when her art teacher spoke to us about the possiblity of her art being put in for the district competition in May and offering to write a recommendation letter for Corinna's college applications needed in three years.

Congrats Rinni!!! We love you!!!

My Testimony...

One of the hardest parts of my life has been missing church. I'm missing my time sitting in sacrament meeting, feeling my knees ache, sometimes bringing me to near tears, as I listen to the speakers. I miss sitting in Sunday School...learning with my hubby next to me. I miss Relief Society, sitting with the sisters in my ward. I miss getting to know the sisters in my ward and silently wish I could get to know some of them. I miss having friends.

As hard as it has been to miss church, what an incredible blessing has fallen over my family, both blood and church. We have caring leaders of our youth who give my kids rides to mutual when needed. We have an incredible bishop who is filled with compassion of pure love of Christ. We have great scout leaders to guide my son to his eagle. My children have learned independence in my absence at church. They have been watched over by our home teachers as have we. My spirit may lack the the recharge I felt every Sunday, but as I pray I learn this will not last forever...it is simply a season. My family is blessed by the support they are given...and our ward is blessed by the unfaltering service they've given.

At first we questioned why we felt strongly we needed to move to San Antonio, but I now know it was for us all to learn. I needed to let go of the charge of my family in their church activities and literally depend on the Lord to guide us.

As I told you about before my son has taken charge of his spirituality as he prepared his talk. I asked how his talk went and he told me that halfway through the spirit led him to a different avenue in how to teach the young men and he folded his well crafted talk and taught from the spirit. My daughters are constantly excited about helping less active girls in our ward find a reason to attend and go to the temple once a quarter. They even carry their own personal limited use recommends. I couldn't teach these things to my children, I could only help create the atmosphere in which they felt comfortable to live their lives as children of God with no apologies to anyone.

This craziness in the past year has truly become an epic journey for our family and I am grateful for that trek. I'm even more grateful that throughout our journey when we were left with less than $3.00 in our pockets to feed our family we had the Lord standing with us with his arms around us. I know He watches over us and blesses us more than even we can imagine. I will always be grateful and will look back decades down the line celebrating our chance in the refiner's fire and remembering it as a triumph on this earth, drawing our eyes and hearts to His. I know the gospel is true and I know Jesus Christ is my elder brother whom I love dearly and feel his presence daily. I am truly grateful for the beautiful souls that surround my family and I and celebrate our triumphs and support us during our trials.

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ...Amen

I Watched.....

I watched curiously as my son opened the printer and extracted two pieces of paper. He walked quietly back to his room. I peeked around the corner and watched him. There he sat, perched on his bed. His scriptures sat open in his lap and he held his "For Strength of Youth" pamphlet. I watched him for a few minutes as he read, then scribbled, read, then scribbled more. He followed this pattern for several minutes and I backed away feeling overwhelmed as a mother.

After he finished whatever he was working on he emerged from his room and I questioned him on what he was up to.

Nothing.

What was the paper for?

Oh, I just had to write a talk.

You're speaking in sacrament meeting?

No, for ward conference, I was asked to speak during priesthood.

Do you need any help?

No, I finished it.

Several days later I sat in his room talking to him and I asked if i could read his talk...He kept saying no, but FINALLY I persuaded him to let me read it. I was touched. His simple words were so beautiful to me. They touched my heart and as I drank in his message I thought of how blessed I feel as his mother.

He is a different boy. For the most part he is a happy, easy going, laid back kid. He is and will always be my beautiful, blue eyed boy. I can see an eternity in his eyes. His spirit is precious. I learn from his example. When it is time to go to do fast offerings, go to a meeting, call other boys in his quorum, speak...I've never heard a complaint pass his lips. When it comes to my cooking...that's a whole other ballgame. However, when it is the Lord's errand...not a hint of a complaint.

I don't know if that is normal. I can't seem to figure that out. I don't have anything to compare him to. I feel like the mother of a Stripling Warrior, but I recognize I can't take the credit. Sure, we love him and try to teach him as we try to teach all of them, but the credit truly goes to his young men's leaders and leadership we've been blessed to live under.

So, for now, I'll watch in the shadows and smile as I see my son grow into the terrific young man and future missionary serving the Lord with all his heart, all his mind and all his might. And every single day I will whisper my thanks to the good men who lead my son in truth and righteousness.

So grateful tonight...it was worth losing everything.

Sometimes you need to lose everything...to gain everything...worth gaining that is.

Getting Up at 5:30am on Saturday...Priceless

Waking up at 5:30am on a Saturday may not seem like fun for all, but for me...it was priceless.

My alarm went off and I leapt from my bed on the way to wake up my oldest. She was able to sleep in today...5am wake up on Seminary mornings after all. She was awake...for 10 minutes trying to calm her nerves. Today after all was her day.

I showered and got changed while hubby, begrudgingly rolled out of bed and forced his eyes open...he has never been a morning person, but he woke up. The three of us quickly ate and headed out, my youngest two snoozed away as we left.

We drove through the fog to reach a high school across town. Outside we waited and waited until Corinna's teacher FINALLY arrived. As the other high schoolers rode in, cars, busses, whatever it took Corinna held tight to her artwork her teacher had asked her to enter into the Visual Art Scholastic Education regional competition. School after school began to appear as the artsy kids we know and love talked exitedly about their craft. Such amazing talents of the youth around here.

One by one the kids were led to their assigned classroom where a Juror anxiously awaited each student. Each student was questioned about their piece of art and the technique they used. They also were able to talk about their feelings and what message they hoped to accomplish with their artwork.

VERY few parents were there in support of their children. It's not like we can go into their interview with them. A handful of us sat watching the artists of tomorrow nervously await their judging...

The verdict? We won't know until monday. However, I think she rocked it with her self portrait!!!