"When I compare
What I have lost with what I have gained,
What I have missed with what attained,
Little room do I find for pride.
I am aware
How many days have been idly spent;
How like an arrow the good intent
Has fallen short or been turned aside.
But who shall dare
To measure loss and gain in this wise?
Defeat may be victory in disguise;
The lowest ebb is the turn of the tide."
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Lately I have been thinking about losing things and gaining things. Posting hasn't been on the top priority list (obviously), but today I feel compelled to share what is in my heart.
In one week I will be married.
I can't believe how truly blessed I am to have found a man that is so pure, good, spiritual, and genuine.
I have felt love before, but I have to say that I have never felt love like this before.
The Lord is truly merciful and mindful of our needs.
I know that He knows me and is aware of what is best for me and for my amazing three kids.
The best thing for me is Steve and his kids (all 7 of them). I am humbled and extremely blessed to be a part of their lives, even if for just a little part. I can't wait to start our lives together and be one in every sense of the word.
I also know that the Lord is aware of my brother and his little family. Tragedy struck our family yesterday and it is not my story to share here, but I want my brother and sister-in-law to know how much I love them and support them and will always be there for them. We had a lesson in Sunday School last week and the instructor talked about growing up on his family ranch. His family was well off and could afford to purchase the hay they raised. One day our instructor asked his dad why they had to go out and do all the work of growing and harvesting the hay when they could just buy the hay.
His dad replied, "I am not raising hay, son, I am raising boys." Our Heavenly Father can do anything He wants to do. He could create any sort of comfort or easy living that He would want us to have. But Heavenly Father is not raising comfort and ease, He is raising Gods and Goddesses.
To reach our full potential we must be put through the refiner's fire to purify us and help us become who the Lord intended us to be.
I don't know why some things happen.
But I do know that when our burdens are too heavy for us to bear, He will take them and He will make our burdens light and we are able to triumph over all our foes.
I love you baby Clayton
