The cute Lewis's twins girls turned 1 this week--Amanda posted "the hardest and best year of my life." I keep thinking (with wishful denial) of how much those two things go together! Just like the very first verse of the Book of Mormon: "having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord"
I felt that this week though--Lots of good mortal experiences --Dad had lost his keys; our fridge stopped working--& I'm always shocked by how much little inconveniences can wear me down! BUT, after a week of using Emily's keys and keeping all of our sopping wet food in coolers--I finally folded clothes and found keys in his pocket, AND (after trying one repair, then finally confirming that it was unfixable) we found a local appliance store that has an awesome "Scratch & Dent" section where we got a 20% discount AND same day delivery!!(which, amazingly, is not a common thing--what do people with broken fridges do???). I tried to not be weighed down too much by little setbacks, but the relief was SOO sweet!!! It was really hard to feel others-oriented when I was overwhelmed with our own circumstances, and hard to be cheerful, but there were also days of pure joy. After Savannah's temple trip Saturday, I got to be with Rachel going through on Friday. After all the prayers I had picturing those girls in the temple, it seriously felt like Heaven opened wide!
I love how temples tie us to Heaven--especially when there's so much of this world that can be heavy. It was tender timing watching those girls don temple clothing for the first time, then going to see Grandma Stewart dressed in hers for the last time. It was really great gathering with so much family (siblings and nieces and nephews of G&G Stewart I've never met!) to celebrate her life and the Plan of Salvation. We had perfect weather up there, and Grandpa Duncan gave a beautiful talk reminding us what a blessing it was to have funerals where our hearts are softened and we're more open to tender feelings and promptings (reminded me of Pres. Ballard teaching you how getting friends to FEEL something helps them be open to the Spirit & Gospel), and then how much this life is for us to learn to TRUST God, which has been on my mind A LOT lately. When I taught Laurels last week on Elder Brook Hales' talk about prayer, I kept coming back to that principle of working from a position of TRUST--that He loves us, that He has a plan for us, and that He REALLY has our best interest in mind (even when it doesn't look like our best ideas).
Between the big highs & lows, we finished the last week of school with a bang: 5th grade graduation for Anne, first city track meet for 3 younger girls, track banquet for Emily (she lettered in her 3rd sport!!!), Wedding shower for cute Maddie! (& seeing dear Syracuse friends), & Elementary Awards Assembly (Anne was surprised to be "Top Student" in her class--& both girls got Fitness Awards). Spencer also had an Honors trip to Lagoon, where he rode Wicked & Cannibal, and couldn't stop smiling all day!!! (finally someone to ride with me!--well, in a few months at least!). Less than 3 weeks to wedding, and down to last trimester of baby growing! Love you so much, & even in our craziest moments, we're thinking of you! Love, Mom
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