Learning to be Patient

Things happen. I wish I could explain them, but I can't. All I know is that through our trials we are taught to be patient and to rely on Him. We have to be willing to take His hand and walk any unfamiliar path He takes us down, knowing WELL that He is right there holding our hand and leading us to where we need to be.

Sometimes that's a scary thing to do!

The Kansas City, MO Temple

I just read about the groundbreaking in the Church News. I am am so excited for there to be a temple in the KC area. I know it must seem weird since I don't live there.
My family lived there for some time though. First we lived in Gallatin, MO for about 18 mo. My dad was the branch president there. We moved back to Mesa for a while, but in 1984, when I was 7, we moved back to Missouri. We ended up in Lee's Summit this time.

We lived here until I was almost 13. I finished elementary school there. I made some good friends. I have very fond memories of Missouri. I keep trying to convince Dustin to move there. Lee's Summit is the 10th safest city in the nation. :) He doesn't take the hint! Oh, well.

Anyway, when they announced that there would be a temple in KC in General Conference, my heart almost leaped out of my chest. I couldn't believe it! My brothers and sisters and I were the only members in the whole school until I was in 6th grade!!

I can't wait until the open house. I hope that I will be able to make it back for it. We plan on holding our family reunion there next year, maybe we should postpone it for another year!

Just thought I'd share a picture.

Rainbows Are Hypnotizing

Today as we were going to the library, Kate and Noah found a rainbow in the sky. It was beautiful! It had been along time since I have seen one, more likely I haven't noticed one. We had fun just admiring it. Absolute silence for about 1 minute. Becca chimed in, "This is my first time ever seeing a REAL rainbow!" She was so excited. After that, the questions followed.

"Larae, what makes a rainbow?"

"Mom, how does it get in the sky?"

Good thing we were on our way to the library! "We'll get a book and read about it," I answered.

Our book is on hold, so we have to wait. We will enjoy learning all about rainbows!! I love being a MOM!!

Neglecting the Things that Matter

I should be cleaning my house right now, but I'm choosing to NEGLECT my house and do what I want to do. I don't do this very often, but I'm being naughty today.

Life is so chaotic at the moment. I seem to never have a day of rest. Even Sundays are not very restful. I guess that's how life goes. Dustin was sweet and recognized that I have been having a hard time lately, maybe it was me crying in the basement as I sat and folded laundry, who knows. He went and purchased me an hour long massage. Boy did I need that! I had a rather interesting conversation with the lady as she was massaging my neck. Here's how it went:

Her- "You say you suffer from stress headaches? What type of job do you have?"

Me- "I'm a mom."

Her- "Oh, well how many kids?"

ME- "I have five."

Her- "Ohhhh. That explains it. You are one giant knot in your neck. I would suggest next time you come in, if you come in, you schedule for an hour and a half of knot work."

Me- "Really? I'm that bad?"

Her- "Uh... yeah. Really bad."

When I left that place, I felt like a new person. I could not believe the way my neck felt. She spent the rest of the time on the knots in my neck after our discussion. I couldn't believe I had let myself get to that point.

I think the best thing we can ever do for ourselves is take care of our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

In Relief Society on Sunday, I heard this quote:

"When a woman chooses to have Christ at the center of her own heart, at the nucleus of her personal world, she brings the Lord into the core of her home and family, be it a family of one a family of many. Wherever she lives and whatever her circumstances, as the heart of the family, what is in each woman's heart is reflected in the environment and spirit of her home." ~Anne C Pingree

I have neglected this lately. I have not made Christ "the center of my heart." In doing so, my home has suffered. I have suffered. I know that when I make a conscience effort to read and pray, my home life is better and so am I.

So, "back to the drawing board" as they say (even though I really don't understand that saying). My focus must be on those things that are most needful.