Thank you for sharing. I, too, love Tony Snow’s testimony!

I think that the key to faith is to look for signs of God’s goodness in everything that happens in our lives. As we do, our faith and joy both prosper.

Blessings,
Wally

Thank you for your insight from C.S. Lewis–and thank you for your kindness.

Yes. The pools are full of water.

Blessings,

Wally

Where he is now I believe he can be very effective in reaching “Spirit Children” and guiding them to Christ.

I did find this article to be very helpful as I too went through life with an innocence and gradually life showed me other wise that not all people were kind and righteous. I remember my girlfriends as an eleven year old or younger would tell me of the abuse they received from their loved ones, relatives or step parents.

I didn’t know enough to make things better except for inviting them to Primary and be their friend.

As I grew up, more of the world showed itself and then married life and raising children, taking care of elderly parents, careers, and putting up with the world these days brings on so many challenges that faith in Christ is so important.

Lately, it is getting use to a silent house. All my children have grown up and have left home or might as well have left home. My youngest, a Senior in high school is so busy with his two jobs after school that I don’t see him much. School is only for a half day so that helps.

One thing that seems to be the ritual of my children leaving the nest is to move into the basement bedroom. So when my 23 year old son moved out, it wasn’t long until the 17 1/2 year old moved downstairs and we never see him. He use to be just across the hall from us and we could poke our heads through a crack in the door and ask him “How he is doing?”. Well, to his defense, he did make his room into a home for his server racks and servers, 3 computer screens, etc.

He is a computer geek, which definitely keeps him out of trouble, but I think sleeping in this room that needs to be air conditioned and the noise from the computer and server fans were getting to be too much.

So I wonder now, what am I suppose to do? I have plans, but it is oddly strange to not have a set list of rules to follow. One thing I am lucky to have is that all my adult children are very close by. So I don’t have to totally be without the company of my children and a couple of grandchildren.

And as I have previously written on this website about the death of my 4th child, a 15 1/2 year old son who took his own life had already opened the wounds and changed the rules of life and raising children.

It changed the rules of Christmas festivities and even now why do I want to drag out all my Christmas decor.

We’re having Christmas at two of my adult children’s homes. Noone will be here to open gifts, or see my Christmas Village on the fireplace hearth.

Why make more work for myself when I’m trying to make up for two Carpal Tunnel Syndrome surgeries on my hands, one hand was done a year ago right after Christmas and the other hand done in October.

They are healed now after suffering from this painful syndrome for just about 6 years starting just before my son’s death and just got worse after.
It is related to stress, not only repetitive motion but emotional stress.

Such a relief and so many burdens lifted, why stress myself with the activities of decorating the house for Christmas. I did get a live tree and decorated it with lites and ornaments that were still in their storage boxes left a year ago in the middle of the kitchen/dining room. As I could do nothing after my hand surgery, and my usual helpers just weren’t helping.

But that’s alright, I had to adjust to my two sons living at home not to be available as they once were. Such an adjustment and asking the Lord for help to deal with the changes, because I don’t like changes. I never have time to fulfill my goals I’ve planned because of obstacles get in the way and children grow up.

I try to understand that the Lord doesn’t want us to just buck up while living here on this earth, but we are to be happy during our time here. What a challenge!

I use to be the happiest go-lucky kid growing up, life changes that and that is the struggle I have. And to think that I will live on for forty more years or so, according to the genes I’ve inherited from my ancestors and the medical break throughs that science and Heavenly Father has given us.

So Bro Goddard’s article is so helpful, to remind me to pray for help more often than I do and to pray about my goals and decide how realistic they are. Know when to say “No.” to requests that would take me away from the work I am sent here to do.

And to remember that Heavenly Father wants me to be happy and have peace and He is always ready to help. Which I am so grateful for and express that to Him by my actions and through prayer.

Thank you.

(As a side note, knowing what I know about you, you are indeed tender with God’s children- and at least one of God’s children is grateful.)