Another Reason to Say Our Prayers Tonight

Our sweet Adam has now survived his first stitches--he got about 8 of them today. I'll spare you the details, but he managed to get a pretty deep 1/2-inch gash in his forehead. John's uncle Karl Hiatt is a plastic surgeon and was kind enough to take the time out of his day off (after finishing his shift at the hospital) to meet us at his office and sew Adam up. He did a beautiful job. Thankfully John's parents and sisters were with us, so John's mom drove us to Karl's office (John met us there) and his dad and sisters took care of Joshua and Janie. Adam is fine, and I am thanking the Lord with all my heart that he got hit where he did, and not any higher or lower, as he could have been blinded or worse. I thank God that I still have my boy tonight, and that he will be fine. I know He was watching over and protecting my Adam today.

We often ask for prayers for those who are sick or struggling, and that is right, but I think it wouldn't be inappropriate to ask you to take a minute and thank the Lord that Adam is okay. I have, and will continue to.

The rest of us are doing fine. We're all well, recovered from colds (John and I) and chicken pox (Joshua). Janie is teething, but handling it pretty well. Life is good. In fact, life is wonderful.

Weeping may endure for a night...

...but joy cometh in the morning (Psalms 30:5).

I've been reminded recently that everything happens for a purpose, and sometimes hard times come in preparation for blessings that are to follow. And the blessings are worth all the challenges. I'm grateful that after sadness comes joy. I know God loves and remembers all of His children. He does have happy times in store, and He will help us through the sad times if we keep our faith and trust in Him.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! In the spirit of Thanksgiving...click here for a sweet message about gratitude.

Love,
Us

An Evening with Joshua--for real this time :-)

John took Adam with him to a bike repair class in Tempe, Janie fell asleep early, and I got Joshua all to myself (or vice-versa) for the first time in a while. It was good.

Isn't he a cutie? I sure love him!

Thought for the Day

President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008):
“Never forget that these little ones are the sons and daughters of God and that yours is a custodial relationship to them, that He was a parent before you were parents and that He has not relinquished His parental rights or interest in these His little ones. … Rear your children in love, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Take care of your little ones. Welcome them into your homes, and nurture and love them with all of your hearts. They may do, in the years that come, some things you would not want them to do, but be patient, be patient. You have not failed as long as you have tried” (Ensign, October 2009, 69).

It helps me so much as a mother to know that God knows my children better than I do, and He can teach me who they are, what they need, and how to help them. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has said, "God will send aid to no one more readily than He will send it to a child—and to the parent of a child." (For the rest of that wonderful talk about children, go here.) I know that God hears and answers the prayers of parents for their children. I am so grateful for that.

More Janie

Janie's Grandpa Strickland was kind enough to come over and take some more pictures of Janie in her blessing dress. Here are a couple of my favorites. What a pretty girl!