Duncandoings: If it ain't broke...

But we've had the opposite problem!! Here is my list of what's been breaking--almost one a day!!:

Sunday: iphone (tried update through itunes, and phone went into irreversible recovery mode)
Monday: kitchen faucet (right during dinner dishes time!!)--I literally pulled the handle right off!
Wednesday: belt frayed apart on van, creating VERY dramatic sound effects!
Saturday: deck paint (okay, it gradually weathered, but Brian thought it would be a good idea to scrape and repaint one Saturday, which we did--until he got a wretched headache, and then I was on my own!--not a job we could get halfway on very well! )
Tuesday: Water Heater--first leaking water under water softener and furnace, taking me a full day just to figure out where it was coming from for sure!
Wednesday: Cosmo (realized we hadn't seen her recently, and have since declared her dead :( )
-Add to that Anne's trip to the Allergy Dr. where she finally tested positive for (environmental) allergies like animals, grass, & weeds, and was told since she hasn't grown out of it yet, that her eczema will likely be for life AND Jane was identified as showing same (eczema, red eyes) tendencies, then
-Our broken fence (broken for a few months, but on the repair list for this month)
-and Brent needing minor surgery!!

I was beginning to be afraid of waking up!!! Still, at the end of it all, it's been a good chance to appreciate the satisfaction of fixing and mending and healing. I spent most of May out in the yard working on our yard (also broken in its own way), pulling out giant bushes that had grown out of control and required FREQUENT trimming, and then decided to FINALLY clean out AND organize our shed into a workshop space for Brian for Father's Day surprise. It goes back to those Opposition in ALL things scriptures, and how the bad helps us appreciate the good. Who doesn't love "Before" and "After" pictures showing what success we can achieve and what change is possible?--probably because it means hope for all of our weaknesses, sufferings, and broken parts. The more broken parts I have in my life, the more central the Atonement becomes for me, AND the less temporary things prove to matter. Though I don't delight in so many frequent disasters!, I am grateful to have had to turn to the Lord more frequently lately, because it keeps reminding me of his love for me, and His tender awareness of even little mortal worries. I was also preparing my Sunday School Lesson titled, "Trust in the Lord" in the middle of all of this, so apparently, the Lord saw this Summer as a time for some of my schooling to begin!

And!
-iphone did have to go in to the Apple store, BUT was repaired AND restored for FREE in moments
-Brian replaced our faucet that night, thanks to Dear Neighbor Dean coming to help him loosen one nut, and not leaving until the job was done
-the High Priest Group leaders happened to be visiting the night the belt attacked our engine, and in their white shirts and everything, they climbed under, pulled apart, and diagnosed the problem, which I was able to take in and get fixed the next day for under $100
-I had the strength and energy (okay, I did get a little grumpy that night) to finish that deck AND paint the front porch chairs and table as well!)-which after my pregnancy summer last year, still feels miraculous
-After much research and many phone calls, found a plumber with great reviews and a $200 lower price to replace our water heater AND we gratefully had the cash to take care of it
-After more research, bids, and a variety of repair ideas, we found a great guy (and his sons) who were able to fix all of our fence problems well before Jane can start wandering out of the house like Lucy and Anne used to!
-At least the cat went missing AFTER we found out Anne was allergic--still kind of sad, but let's face it--it took us almost a week to figure it out, that's how attached we are! We all still cried at one point or another (well, most of us), but ever since being run over by the van that first year, she wasn't exactly the most affectionate creature poor dear--I'm sure Dad is happy to have her AND Sandy keeping him company in Heaven :)
-We're just grateful for the medical knowledge that is there, even WITH its mysteries, and glad that if Jane faces similar issues, we at least know how to deal with things this time! (though when she broke out in hives from raw bananas, I will admit to being quite close to losing my grounding!).

Here's some of our Before/After shots:

Deck Before:

and After:

Shed Before:

and, After:

and yard (though the "Before" shots don't do it justice--we pruned like crazy last fall as 2nd picture shows)--right after Halloween, where the bush by the front door almost blocked the sidewalk--like the one on the corner that didn't get trimmed down
Before: