Them darn ticks

So I guess I should blog about our life this past month...or has it been longer. I hesitated even blogging about it but since I am HORRIBLE at writing in my journal I use this as a way to document our life. And so I didn't want to pass up writing about this so we can have it for future reference. Even though it has been rough we will be able to look back and remember that people can get through anything. I still wouldn't trade my trials though. I feel that we have been so blessed and that there are soooooooooo many people out there that struggle with much much more. You know....like NIE NIE and those other people that are losing their children and going through really difficult times. This is nothing in comparison but it was still hard.

So I will try to start from as far as I can remember. Don hadn't been feeling well for quite some time. We were not sure exactly what it was. He had been to the dr. many times. He had been sent to a few specialists as well. They had a few guesses but were still not 100% sure. Then one day Don woke up with a bullseye rash on his back. We then knew it was LYMES DISEASE. YUK. We researched it quite a bit. He has a collegue at work that also has it (there is no cure) and she ended up giving him a dvd about it. WOW. It was a bit stressful as he ended up missing about a month worth of work without pay. The dr. doesn't want him working full time for 1-2 months.

I guess sometimes things happen to us all at once...or maybe it just seems like it. On Don's birthday a few weeks ago I had a miscarriage. My visiting teacher unexpectedly passed away. Don had to get four new tires on his car and the brakes went out in the Expedition and the medical bills were coming in and still are and we had some issues with one of our children and school. BUT......no matter how much we have been tried and tested....no matter what things we have endured in this past month or two we feel so blessed. We really do. I am so thankful for family. They were there when I needed them. They are a great support. And I feel so grateful to have such a team. I am thankful for our wonderful ward. It is amazing how well they have taken care of us. They are concerned and their prayers and blessings have been a great comfort to us.

The Lord is aware of every tiny thing in our life and I know that He loves us and is always there for us. There were many tender mercies that were placed in our path. And I know those came because of HIM but through family and friends. Our old home teacher replaced our brakes for us for free. All we had to do was pay for the brakes and rotor. We had some sisters in the ward (still don't know who) send $75 in the mail. My parents sent us some $$. My in laws loaned us some money. I was able to find some really good deals on school things. My sister gave us some hand me down clothes that were perfect for Rachel. And I know there are more things that have just helped to strengthen me. I know that we all go through hard times. I know that when we do we really grow and we become stronger. And we also rely more on our Heavenly Father and go to Him more. I am most grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It gives me HOPE and helps me to have FAITH and to see that...you know...sometimes we just have to struggle. Sometimes things are hard and sometimes it hurts and it is ok to cry and it is ok to feel stressed but to also realize that Christ never leaves us alone. He may not always carry us but he will always be there when it seems we can't go on anymore. And that is when we grow.

A week or so ago I said to myself....I don't know how much longer I can do this? About an hour later our bishop and the missionaries showed up at our door. The bishop had the feeling that he needed to come by. He gave Don a very amazing blessing. I know that God lives. I know that He loves us and He knows our hearts and I am so eternally grateful for a bishop that listens to the spirit. He was supposed to be at the church doing interviews for baptism. He had to travel about 20ish minutes to our home and then another 20 minutes back. That doesn't include the time he spent talking to us and giving the blessing. He was going to be very late getting back to the church.

Life is not always about the good happy things. There are times when things are just tough. I want my kids to know that we had hard times. Things are not always rosy. But the important thing is that you don't lost hope and you don't turn your back on the things that can help the most....God and the Gospel. Staying strong is the key. Moving forward is vital. Continuing on the path is important.