Tonight, miraculously, all the Nies were home, so we sat around the fire
talking about our scripture reading.
We're reading the incredible story of Nephi and his family
and their situations, hardships, joys, and reliance on the Lord.
It is so very similar to our family.
While I was doing my own study earlier, I kept track of every time it mentioned
"in the wilderness" and jotted down all the things they did while
they were out there plugging away, and I was surprised at all the things they did
from SUPER SUPER hard and scary to wonderful and joyful.
Nephi and his family were in a physical wilderness,
and while we may not be in
actual wildernesses, life's experiences can sometimes
feel like we're mindlessly wandering in one.
But the point is, there were good times, too, even in the wilderness.
Studying the scriptures has helped our family gain insight into how
people in the past have overcome challenges and received
guidance from the Lord and His prophets.
And the ones who followed God had peace.
I want that peace.
The conversation we had tonight as a family
(while Gigs made himself a wallet from his old jeans)
was so enlightening.
There were tears, testimonies, laughs, and feelings.
I am so grateful we can have these discussions together.
It's such a gift.
Despite having a lot on our plates - jobs, financial concerns,
schooling, choices, futures - the most rewarding thing is having our
children testify of the Savior, His power, and love.
Christian and I have had a lot of sleepless nights recently
where we feel overwhelmed and discouraged,
but we always find comfort that the Lord is never far away.
He can fix broken things.
"The Savior loves to restore what you cannot restore;
He loves to heal wounds you cannot heal;
He loves to fix what has been irreparably broken;
He compensates for any unfairness inflicted on you; and
He loves to permanently mend even shattered hearts."
Then Gigs made Angus some jean shorts, and we laughed
ourselves sick.
