It's always tough getting back in a routine after a long holiday break. This time was especially rough because I'm starting a new position as Sales Manager at Brighton Homes along with my normal model home agent position. I'm excited for the opportunity and more excited for the health care benefits. Our healthcare costs were going from $1,000 per month to $1,500 per month this year so the timing couldn't have been better.
This past week my heart has been filled with gratitude for so many blessings. Above all of them are the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ and of my family. I love the peace that being obedient brings. I love the spirit that surrounds quality family time. I'm grateful for healthy and beautiful children and am forever grateful to be married to the woman I love with all my heart.
Heidi is starting to get used to her CPAP machine. That along with a new mattress seems to be helping her back some as well as her overall health. I'm so grateful my health is such that I have strength, energy, and the ability to take care of her and the family. I can't imagine being in constant pain. Last Sunday Josh Clark, who I home teach, asked me to give him a priesthood blessing. He's also been in severe pain with a bad back and rotater cuff. He's been getting only 2-4 hours of sleep at night. Unfortunately he's still in a lot of pain so my fast was dedicated to him. I hope and pray he finds relief soon.
It's funny how routines and work - or this case school - can actually improve your mood. Benjamin and Jacob have been harping, teasing, whining, crying complaining, and arguing with each other this holiday season. Now that school has started back up they are getting along much better, and this Sunday was a rare Sunday in that we were able to spend it with just our family. It was awesome! We played Uno, spoons, pull-off socks, home base hide and seek, and pulled out my latest Christmas toy - a slot car racing track. We ended the day watching 17 Miracles - such an amazing move about the Willie Handcart Company and their trek west.
Savannah received for Christmas the present she was begging and pleading for the last few months - her very own cell phone. While Mother and I were dreading it, we do feel like Savannah is responsible beyond years.
I relistened to Elder Holland's talk (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/04/lord-i-believe?lang=eng) and love when an Apostle of the Lord expands scripture. In this case he talks about the man who has a disabled child and asks the Savior to heal him. When the Savior asks if he believes, he says "yea Lord, I believe. Help thou my unbelief." He does believe but acknowledges his belief is weak. Still, the Lord heals him. Elder Holland talk about the importance of leading out with your declaration of belief, not leading out with your unbelief. He also gives insight to how we don't have to have a perfect knowledge of the faith to move mountains to witness a miracle. But we have to start with faith, or belief. I love it. Sometimes I feel like I'm not worthy to ask for the miracle, or that my faith isn't strong enough yet. This was a great reminder that we can (and actually must) rely fully on the grace and mercy of Christ, but to offer up the faith and belief we do have.
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