Is life all "clear and sunny skies" each and every day? Certainly not. There are cloudy and even rainy days, and even weeks. There are moments of sadness, frustration, and lots of lots of prayers of supplication. But these are so that we can appreciate even more the "clear and sunny skies" type days, so that we can learn and grow, so that we can come closer to Him who has been through it all and endured it well and most gracefully; so that we CAN become MORE like HIM every day. So I write this to remind ourselves that life is all about growing not only physically but most importantly spiritually, and growing pains are an intrinsic part of the process, whether we like it or not. It's that good stuff about having opposition in all things, one of my favorite scriptures, 2 Nephi 2:11:
"For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad [... .]" and further, in verse 15 of the same chapter:
"And to bring about his eternal purposes in the end of man, after he had created our first parents, and the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and in fine, all things which are created, it must needs be that there was an opposition; even the forbidden fruit in opposition to the tree of life; the one being sweet and the other bitter."I have a very strong conviction/unshaken testimony that we learn the most and we become the best that we can be when our souls are stretched to what it may seem at the moment, the very limit. And that the best in us and those around us can be revealed exactly during those stressful times of trial. How grateful I am for this! And when clear and sunny skies are upon us, I hope we never forget the Lord and His tender mercies.
Monday was such a day of rememberance of His tender mercies. It was pure joy to be able to relax and enjoy clear and sunny skies in our life, doing yard work together as a family and counting blessings. And I'm so grateful for my sweet husband who is such a great companion and partner. And for our spunky and incredibly cute and smart little girl who simply brightens every day.
And a few pictures from yet another fun-filled
(although not so worry-free) weekend (but that's for another post.)Birthday party at the park:"The Prince Frog" at Dallas Children's theater:
Temple grounds visit: we loved walking around and just being there. The flowers are particularly beautiful, so is the massive structure of the temple that I can now call my/our temple. Ella had a very hard time though keeping her hands to herself and NOT picking flowers... we love her to pieces, though! :)
Ella really feels at home on the temple grounds, I just love watching her walk, run and just feel so happy there every time we go. She is always asking with anticipation when she can go inside the temple, especially when she reaches the eastside doors.
(And speaking of which, I need to go (in) there more often!)And one more collage, b/w (I'd say these are pretty good shots for an iPhone 4.)
Smile on, life is great!
