Endurance

 I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am trying to have faith and remember that God knows what is best. The doctor told me last week that my baby is already 8 lbs. I only have 9 lbs of space in my pelvis, which means I have not much space left. Ryan gave me a priesthood blessing, and I am trying to exercise faith in God’s promises. I am grateful for a wonderful husband. I am grateful for the story of Peter sinking and Christ reaching out immediately. I know Christ knows us personally and loves us.

February

 We started a tradition of making Challah bread on Saturday for the Sabbath. There are a lot of things in Jewish culture that fit with Christianity, and we enjoy this tradition. The kids like to make their own Challahs, and then we eat them for lunch before we go to church at noon.

 Amy made her own birthday cake. It turned out beautifully. She’s such a great big sister to Jacob.

 Mom and Dad worked on her birthday present together (a dress we sewed without a pattern). We look forward to meeting our next boy in a short while.

Wintertime

 I love to take the kids on a walk to feed the neighbors horses.

 Jacob insists on eating while sitting on Ryan’s lap. It’s his throne. Below: we made some dolls for the refugees in the valley because it’s hard to find ethnic dolls here.

Merry Christmas

I am so grateful to have a testimony of Jesus Christ. It is my most valuable gift, and affects how I see the world. He gives me peace and hope and inspires me to want to be charitable. I am grateful we always have a shoulder to cry on.

Grateful in all things

I have been thinking about the importance of gratitude in whatever circumstances we might be in. We can’t control what happens to us, but we can choose to be thankful TO God no matter WHAT is happening in our lives.

December

 Ryan has had several business trips, and the girls have kept busy with school, puzzles, and other activities, like making cookies with our dear friend Monta. I prefer when the weather is warm enough to be outside, but am thankful for my blessings and to have wonderful children.

True Charity

My ancestor, Mette Marie Olsen, sacrificed much with her family for her faith. She crossed the plains with her family in handcarts, and her shoes wore out in Iowa, so she walked barefoot the rest of the way. She was young, only 10. She nearly starved and froze to death. But the above quote is what she was known for saying: “The half loaf is better than the whole if it means you helped someone else in need.” That is true charity, isn’t it?