We watched our wedding video as a family this past week and I couldn't help but cry watching our young innocent faces lit up with happiness. We were ready to take on anything and everything as long as we were together. We had no idea what trials we would be faced with on our way. All we knew is that we wanted to be together always.
It seems that our years together have been littered with hardship. We have struggled up a steep hill and I'm not sure when we will reach the summit. I look around me and wonder why other families are moving forward at an unbelievable pace. Buying homes, getting jobs, having babies one after the other. Part of me wants to whine like a five-year-old and say, "It's not fair!"
But I quickly remind myself that everyone has trials and who am I to say that one trial is greater than another. Even though it has been difficult at times we have learned so much and I believe that we are becoming deeper feeling individuals because of it. We appreciate things that other people might not. We have partaken of such bitter moments and it makes the joy so much sweeter. We have been blessed with each other, our two beautiful children and a family that is always there to help us through. Those blessings far exceed any other desire or earthly want I can think of.
But because of where we started and all that has happened up to today it is difficult to not become overwhelmed with a sense of fear for the future. What will we face in the years to come?
James E. Faust said,
"If you take each challenge one step at a time, with faith in every footstep, your strength and understanding will increase. You cannot foresee all of the turns and twists ahead. My counsel to you is to follow the direction of the Savior of the world: “Be not afraid, only believe.”
President Boyd K. Packer reminds us: “We need not live in fear of the future. We have every reason to rejoice and little reason to fear. If we follow the promptings of the Spirit, we will be safe, whatever the future holds. We will be shown what to do.”
I believe to be "safe" means to stand secure in our knowledge of the Savior and the plan of salvation. It doesn't mean that nothing bad will ever happen again. There are no such promises. But through the trials our testimony will be "safe" and our dedication to choosing the right will be "safe". As long as we don't let fear overtake us as we follow the Savior and keep enduring well we will be "safe".
"I know not what the future holds, but I know who holds the future." ~Author Unknown
I love my husband and I know that we found each other through divine guidance. Through trials and gladness he has stood by me holding my hand all along the way. We work, and we work and we work to be better for each other and to make our marriage the best that it can.
Joseph Smith wrote to Emma from New York in 1832, “My heart is entwined around yours forever and ever.” In 1838, while being held prisoner in Independence, Missouri, he began a letter, “My dear and beloved companion of my bosom in tribulation and affliction."
The trials have made us that much stronger and more determined to be there for each other. Companions in tribulations and affliction.
"Love is a symbol of eternity. It wipes out all sense of time, destroying all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end." ~Author Unknown
I will not be scared as long as Jake is at my side and the Lord is leading the way.
5 comments:
i love you two together! happy anniversary. i'm so glad you have him and he has you, there really isn't a more perfect couple:) love you!
Happy anniversary! It is wonderful to know you have someone at your side for eternity.
Fear has a sneaky way of getting into our lives and it can take over IF you allow it to. When you live far away from your family and all you have is your husband and your children...that really does change how much you take things for granted. Even though no one else is around, you have eachother and you learn that's all you need. I truely believe that is strengthens you as a couple and a family. You can do anything together and with the Lord. What a blessing to know with out a doubt that your husband is by your side 100%...no matter what. Life is such a journey and we never know what tomorrow brings. By faith and trust in the Lord we can get through anything. You guys are amazing and you've both been such a wonderful example to us on marriage. We love you guys! Eternity is a beautiful word isn't it...:)
Tifani those pictures are so cute! I've never seen Payton as a little girl(well, littler:)) You guys look great! Congrats on 7 years! We're coming up on 7 as well...in August. Crazy how time flies!
Happy Anniversary I am so glad you have each other and how blessed we are to have the gospel and to have been sealed for time and all eternity. Thanks so much for calling me, it really made my day. I hope you are doing good too. Love the family pictures.
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