добро пожаловать домой Aunt Lindsey

Now that it's over, a year and a half didn't feel like a very long time.  It felt like it went by really quickly.  But "short" or "long" it's come to an end nonetheless.

The girls were very excited to see Aunt Lindsey again and make a special trip to Grandma's in February.  And who wouldn't be?  Grandma and Grandpa always work so hard to make these little girls feel special.

Special breakfast.

Decorating sugar cookies.

But as much fun as Grandma's house is, soon it was time for the main reason for our visit.

My love's parents took us all out to dinner.  It was yummy and a lot of fun for the kids.  (Seriously, they had the most talented balloonist I have ever seen.)

The rest of our week was filled with fun things like Ukrainian story time,

and checking out fun souvenirs,

 

and more making the girls feel special.
Personalized giant sugar cookies,

Breakfast and a movie in bed.  And not just their own bed, but GRANDMA'S bed.

On our last day we went to church and heard Aunt Lindsey speak about her mission.  (She did a really good job.)  And we stayed to watch her presentation in primary.  She showed all the primary children things she brought back from Urkaine.  Including pictures the Ukrainian primary children had drawn.  (I didn't get the best picture of all this, but it's better than nothing.)

As always a week full of memories.  And also as always, it ended in a lot of tears from some sweet little girls.  I feel bad putting them through good-byes.  But at the same time I am thankful for it. The distance could be so much more.  I'm very thankful that we live as close to family as we do.   

Don't Walk Away From The Garden

As of late, I've been blogging mostly memories.  Haven’t "written" in a while.

This morning I had thoughts that I want to be sure and tell my children.  Some day.  When the situation lends itself.  But I don't want to forget these thoughts in the mean time.

(Perhaps I should rename my blog: "Things I Don't Want To Forget"
Not as catchy or cute as "Staley Stepping Stones" though eh?)


I was reading an article in the ENSIGN this morning entitled: When Doubts and Questions Arise.  (Well written and I recommend reading it.)  It got me thinking about doubts, questions, and faith.  I thought about all the people who's doubts have led them away from the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Then a primary song got stuck in my head.   "Faith".  Particularly the line: "Faith is like a little seed." 

My thoughts progressed and wandered and somehow that little seed evolved into a garden.  My thoughts are this:

If faith is like a little seed, than the gospel of Jesus Christ is like a garden.  A BIG, BEAUTIFUL, FRUITFUL garden, with so much to enjoy and partake of.  (Gardening is a hobby of mine, but this is NOT a picture of my own garden, just one that I thought looked "big, beautiful, and fruitful.")

Anyone who's tried to grow a garden of their own knows that sometimes this happens:

A "hole." What seems like an "imperfection."  A place where a seed was put, but nothing grew.  But why?  You could get lots of difference answers, from lots of different people, who may or may not actually know the answer.   

Sometimes people stumble upon human imperfections among church leaders, contrary scientific findings, historical anomalies.  They see these as "imperfections."  Or "holes" that we don't understand.  It's okay to have questions.  Seek answers, pray, read your scriptures, fast, pray some more.  Patiently wait to receive understanding.  But don't walk away from the rest of the garden. 

The Lord has given us His gospel.  A "garden" abundant with truth, light, knowledge, understanding, blessings, and peace.  We shouldn't walk away from this:

because we're hung up on this:

Trust the gardener.  He knows exactly what happened and why.  And I believe that if we prove our faith, by being obedient to the commandments He has given His children, in His own time, the gardener will bless us, and increase our knowledge and answer our personal questions and concerns. 

Ether 12:6  . . . for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.

“Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith.”
—President Dieter F. Uchtdorf