Once upon a time.....

Once upon a time there was a girl that went through a dark storm cloud.  While in that cloud a friend of hers said "look for the good things in life and soon you will see the sun again."  So that is just what she started to do.  Day by day she began to look for the good things in her life.  The things that make her happy.  And you want to know what, each time she found a happy time the sun came out.  That girl is me, and I aim to remind myself that I can be happy in the mist of these storm clouds I am in!

I was blessed with six amazing children.  Each one so different and so unique .  As I watch each of them, I am reminded of the simpleness of life.  Today as I was getting ready to take Michael to school to get an award I needed to shovel the drive way and brush the snow off the car only to find a layer of ice under the snow.  I remember as a child after it snowed I would race out side to shovel the snow, there was only one snow shovel and I wanted to be the one to shovel the snow.  That meant I needed to be fast.  Some how being out in the snow with a bit of a chill all by myself was so peaceful to me.  Just me and my thoughts.  I would often think about the things of an eternal nature.  I was a young girl but Heavenly Father was so real to me and sometimes that was the only time I had peace and quiet.  I often would think about what Father would have me do, if he were happy with my choices.  So this morning I was glad that I had the extra ice on my windows, more time for me to reflect on my life and time for me to talk with my Father in Heaven.

I also love the fact that I see the love of service that my children so readily offer up.  Something that I have always wanted my children to learn.  One of my favorite scriptures from my childhood, Mosiah 2:17, my sweet Aunt taught to me. I can still hear her voice as she taught us this scripture.  When you are in the service of your fellow men, ye are only in the service of your God.  I used to not be patient enough only wanting to see the end result of what I thought it should be.  I was limiting my self in watching their growth.  Instead, I was missing what they were doing right in front of me.  Service in my own family.  Each one of my  children look for ways to serve their family members.  That is what it is all about.  Serving our Family, building strong lasting relationships with our family.  This alone can help protect us from Satan and the power he wants over each of us.  Allison was out side with a snow shovel on more than one occasion today.  Even my little Michael with his broken arm begged to shovel the snow with me.  And that he did.  How could I deny him that opportunity to serve.  After all I am his example and if I want him to continue on in learning and walking in the Saviors path I must give him plenty of opportunities to do so!

So as the storms arose this young lady would put up her umbrella and protect herself from those dark clouds that tried to take away her sun. And as her thoughts would turn into sweet moments of joy the sun would shine through and a smile would come once again!  Though the storm clouds would surround her the sun would be wrapped around her, taking away the coldness and bitter winds that came with the storm. Thanks to a loving Heavenly Father and kind and loving friends to keep her going!