Renewal

What is it about New Year's that captures us? We all make resolutions--don't deny it. Whether or not we keep these resolutions is difference. But, even if we fail in our resolution in February, come December 31st, we make a new set of resolutions. Why?

What is it about Mondays that (for the most part) give us energy and motivation? What is it about Sundays that inspire us? What is it about Fridays that excite us and give us energy? What is it about spring that gives us hope?

It is the symbolism of renewal. It is the promise of a new beginning, a second chance.

Darin Cozzens, a Mormon, wrote, "What kind of wisdom and intelligence would be required to set in motion a system whereby regeneration and renewal happen as splendidly and dependably as the sunrise? I cannot fathom such perfect foresight. Almost everywhere we look in nature, there is some provision for renewal. Surely the cycles and sequences of nature were ordained by God; the natural world is a study in the absolute necessity of constant renewal. As marvelous as this power of renewal is in the world around us, it is even more compelling when we realize that it extends to us as well—individual human beings, sons and daughters of the same God who set the seasons in motion. He has endowed us with a promise and capacity for both physical and, more important, spiritual renewal." Click here for his talk on Easter and spiritual renewal.

We have the power to renew our resolutions, our motivation, even our faith and dedication to Heavenly Father. That is why I never give up.  He helps us. He has faith and believes in us. "We are in need of constant renewal." That is so true. And, we are capable of it.

So, for those who didn't make year long resolutions, create a word of the year, list monthly (or smaller) goals, it isn't too late. Don't give up before you begin. We can renew our wants and our hopes, our dreams and plans. Next Monday is a good starting point. But, you don't even have to wait for a Monday. You can start tomorrow. You can start today! And if you mess up, fail, forget, guess what? You can renew again.

For those who struggle with your relationship with Heavenly Father, or keeping the promises you made, or feel you don't live up to the standards of a good person or even just a good Christian, it isn't too late. After all, that's what the Atonement is for. That is what repentance is for. You can always renew and try again. Christ doesn't expect us to be perfect, he just wants us to try our best. Remember: "Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." (2 Cor: 14-16)

So, I will keep that in mind this year. One of my motivations this year to accomplish all of my priorities and goals will be to remember renewal. If I fail, I can try again.

What do you think of the word "renewal"?

When Things Don't Go According To Plan

I've learned during the summer that sometimes, things don't always go according to plan. Justin was supposed to graduate in April, that didn't happen until August. Every home we found that we wanted to rent was given to someone else. My pregnancy hit a bump that caused me to be on "bed rest" for the last two weeks. Justin hadn't ever found a job.

But, even though things didn't go according to my plan, they went according to the Lord's. And, everything turned out well. Rhys was born healthy, Justin finished all his classes (except for an online class), we had a beautiful home, and Justin was interviewing everywhere.

Then, last week happened to make us even happier.

Everything was finally fitting together: I had a part-time job, allowing me to spend plenty of time with Rhys, we were just about finished paying hospital bills, Justin had just gotten hired at a bank, and we had just found someone in our church who runs an in-home daycare to watch Rhys for us. And, we had just had a wonderful family luncheon when Rhys got blessed.

We were very happy and had nothing to worry about at all!

Then, last Monday came.

Literally right before I left for work, I got a message from the daycare lady that she was going to take a full-time child instead of a part-time child. From a business point of view, I could completely understand--she was helping to provide for her family. I would've made the same decision if I were in her place. However, we freaked out. Justin was to begin work full-time in two days and we had no one to watch Rhys! And I had to go teach. I cried a bit in the car, but wiped my tears before entering the school. During my prep period, I searched and searched for a daycare, as Justin did the same at home. I received a message saying the lady would be willing to watch Rhys until we found another place. I felt a tiny bit better.

Then, when I got home, Justin gave me the bad news. The bank that hired Justin actually decided he wasn't right for the job. They also didn't like the fact that he was still working on one last online class. WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

We were devastated. We had been built up so much by this opportunity and now to have it taken away from us. It ruined our plan.  It was a severe blow to us. Justin had been searching for a job basically since the beginning of the year!!!

Last week was very hard for us. We did a lot of number crunching: my part-time salary will barely cover rent, and rent only. And, since I'm part-time, my insurance (and Rhys's) ends with October. This was definitely worrisome. We had worked so hard to both graduate without debt and put a lot away into savings. And now, that would be all for naught.

So what do you do in a situation like this? 

Put all your faith in Christ and remember it is his plan that will happen. That is all you can do and what you should do. We have been very consistent with scripture reading and prayers.

One scripture comes to mind: Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.



 We are also trying our best to help ourselves (as I don't believe the Lord will help you until you try all you can first): Justin is looking for any type of job, and we aren't eating out anymore (it was real hard last night).Justin has already gotten quite a few interviews. We are hoping that if we do everything we can on our side, that Heavenly Father will help us and bless us with a job and perhaps even benefits.

And maybe, that bank job wasn't right for Justin, Maybe the Lord has other things in mind for him and I. 

Our lease is up in January for this townhouse. I have no doubt Justin will get a job, but whether or not we can continue to afford all our monthly expenses is another story. We have backup plans, but we hope we don't have to use them. However, if that is the Lord's plan, we will.  Our main concern is doing whatever is right for Rhys and be able to provide for him and to trust in the Lord with all our hearts.

So, we are just asking, keep us in your prayers. Hopefully the Lord's plan will bring us to where we feel good and secure.

Count Your Many Blessings

"Everything will work out on the Lord's time."

How many times have I heard this phrase in the past few months? Too many to count. Honestly, I began to hate that phrase. It wasn't helping my stress at all. My faith was diminishing. Not my faith in the Gospel, not my faith in the Church, not my faith in Christ, but my faith that everything will work out and the Lord will get us to where we need to be. 

It came to a head about two weeks ago...we had just been informed with some bad news about electives counting for Justin's major, not being approved for a house, and an interview job scam. I broke down and thought to myself, what are we doing wrong? We read scriptures, we pray, we go to the temple and church, we pay our tithing, we aren't sinning, and we are doing all in our power to help ourselves before depending on the Lord. Why weren't we being helped?

Then, about two hours later, I got a call from an agent saying we were approved for a townhome in Sandy and could we come in to sign the lease that week. We had a home for Rhys! Then, later that week, Justin gets a slew of interviews. Then, last week, we learned that Justin actually doesn't have to take a class, so that's less for him to worry about this term. Then, he got an interview with a bank that had wanted him months ago (to quit school and work for them full-time--wasn't gonna happen). And, this weekend, I got about $700 more on my teacher paycheck than expected--curriculum bonus, maybe?

Via

I think that it is God, especially with that first call two hours after the bad housing news, telling me, "I am here. I am helping you. Have more faith. It will work out on my time. You will get to where you need to be and everything will be fine. Trust in me and be grateful for what you do have."

I definitely am and have been. Justin and I have been so blessed in our marriage. There have been a few scary times, like last year when Justin went to the ER, and then last week when I went to the hospital. But, we've never been in dire need. We've never been in debt, we've never been desperate, we've never been without internet or food or a job or friends. We have a nice, quaint apartment with good quality hand-me-down furniture, family on both sides within an hour, steady jobs, great friends, and a pretty good savings account.

So, today I want to list all that I'm feeling thankful for.

- Finding a nice, two-bedroom townhome with a gorgeous kitchen

- Being able to work afternoons, part-time, starting in the fall

- Our savings account continuing to grow this summer

- Everything we've been given for Rhys, from parents, family, and friends

- The two amazing baby showers I've had with family and friends

- All the love and care our ward has shown us this past week--bringing dinner because of my stupid "modified bedrest" and being able to visit with them at my baby shower. I'm going to miss all of you!

- The hand-me-down furniture we are getting from my parents.

- All the interviews Justin has been getting (cross your fingers for this bank interview--it'd be a great job for us!)

- All the time I've been able to have with Justin this summer since I'm not working (last summer, I worked part-time and it was typically in the evening when Justin was home from school for the day)

- My parents and sister living so close to us to help take care of me last week

- Justin not having to take a class, which means less he has to stress about

- Being able to go to the temple two weeks ago

- Brooke for taking free maternity pictures

- An opportunity I may have for free newborn pictures

- Although it was scary, having an ultrasound while I was in the hospital to discover a potential health risk for Rhys (abdomen measuring small and kidneys working too hard--not life-threatening) so we know it'll be better for him to be born this week than wait any longer

- The feelings of peace and happiness the Lord has blessed Justin and I with the past few weeks

- All the support and friends I have IRL and through blogging

Via

Seriously, I can't say thank you to our friends, family, and Lord enough these past few weeks. And, I'm especially grateful for them for this week: moving and being induced! 

(So, I apologize if, for the next week and a half or so, I'm somewhat absent from social media... I don't know when we'll get internet hooked up in our new place and I don't know how long it'll take to give birth...)

Wish us luck!

And again, THANKS!