As you probably notice, I don't post here very often. Over the past several weeks, I've been assessing our life and counting our blessings. Our experience with baby Honey has helped me realize the fragility of life and made me grateful for so many things, things that I used to take for granted. As I've thought about all of this, I could often hear the many voices in my life that have said we are crazy/courageous for having so many kids, for getting married so quickly and so young, for jumping into a condo and now the house, for pretty much making every big decision in our life. I am in no way ashamed/embarrassed/regretful of any of those decisions. Our life has been a great adventure, and we have been greatly blessed.
This weekend we had stake conference, and our mission president made a comment that has really stuck with me. As I've thought about it more, I realize that the principle he taught has been thoroughly active in our life. He said that he teaches his missionaries the following:
When you feel doubt, replace it with faith, go to work and expect the miracle.
Let me explain. In our life, we have, at times, questioned the decisions we were making. We prayed and probably wanted that huge revelation with angels and lights and visions and the like. Many times, we received very little. Many times we felt very little. Most times, Honey and I had looked at the decision, analyzed our options, prayed about it and were still "left on our own" to make the decision. We felt good about our analysis and acted on that knowing that we would receive guidance as we acted - as Elder Bednar said, feeling the nudging of the spirit to go in one direction or the other. When we made the decision, we jumped in knowing we would make the best of it that we could. When things became difficult, we prayed more and went back to work. We became committed. Only after much analysis, prayer and action did we actually see results. Looking back, those results have been truly miraculous. We are blessed with four healthy, beautiful children, one waiting for us, and a host of blessings too long to list.
When you feel doubt, have confidence in the decision you've made (replace doubt with faith), go to work and watch the miracle come.
Hello world!
2 years ago
4 comments:
I love you Honey. There are really few people that I respect and quietly adore as much as you. No matter how much I tease you or how obnoxious I can be, please know that I think you are very wise, very brave, very Christlike.
Ryan that was beautiful and soooo true. We admire you and Honey for all that you do. We love you so much. You are and will be so blessed. Thank you for the great examples you are to all of us. Know how much the Lord trusts you and loves you by the things he allows to happen in our lives. You are the best. Love Mom and Dad.
You guys are such great examples. With Heidi getting married in January I have told her that you guys were engaged for 4 weeks and Honey still got her degree with one baby and one on the way. Thank you for your great examples and faith. I read this scripture the other night in 1 Nephi that said ..."For behold I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction." Sometimes we have to feel the heat of the refiners fire. I am so grateful your family id in our family. Love you guys!
Words to live by Ry! It reminded me of some of my favorite scripture- D&C 58:2-6. The Savior knows each of us so well and like Mom said trusts us so much that the trials that we have can become the greatest blessings in our lives if we turn doubt into faith. I know it! Love you guys!
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