“You won't lag behind,because you'll have the speed.
You'll pass the whole gang
and you'll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly,
you'll be best of the best.
Wherever you go,
you will top all the rest.
Except when you don't.
Because, sometimes, you won't.”
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go!
Through all of our foster training we've been able to get more of an idea of what we're up against and what will be required of us as individuals and as a family. This is not a small task and it will require all our diligence, all our patience, all our strength, all our energy, and all our love. I admit that it's kind of frightening. We don't feel cut out for it and it seems that's exactly what the Adversary wants us to keep feeling: doubt, discouragement, fear, insecurity.
On top of this... It seems that in these last few days all hell has combined to stir up contention among our children. They have been at each other's throats and my husband and I have been beside ourselves in knowing how to calm them. It's been discouraging because circumstances like these cause us both to question our ability to handle the additional stresses that will come with foster parenting. Maybe our children are feeling nervous about the adjustments that will come with this brand new life too and they've just had trouble identifying and expressing such fears? I don't blame them. This is huge!!
“And when you're alone there's a very good chance
you'll meet things that scare you right out of your pants
There are some, down the road between hither and yon,
that can scare you so much you won't want to go on.”
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go!
The specific trials that lie ahead are unknown to us and it doesn't do any good speculating how we will handle them. The truth is, we are sure in our decision and we're not backing down, no matter how much the adversary tries to thwart our resolve. After our family prayer this morning, we discussed how clearly our mission to foster children unfolded before us and we both bore testimony without any doubt that it's what we need to do despite all the opposition.
In my personal scripture study, I just finished reading about the story of the Jaredites. They embarked on an unknown journey to a place they'd never been before, launching into the vast and open sea, "commending themselves unto the Lord their God" (Ether 6:4) They faced opposing forces on every hand and it took an immense amount of faith... but look at where it led them... to the promised land!
I like how Moroni inserts his testimony in this record, "Faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." (Ether 12:6)
Our faith will certainly be on trial... It will be tried and tested in ways we can't comprehend but it will bring about great things! We are confident of that even though "We don't feel ready, We don't feel steady, [and we] Question all we really have to give..."
The truth still remains the same...
"A little somethin' Might feel like nothin' But in His hands it's all we'll ever need
To speak life to the broken Watch the blind eyes open
It's who He's calling you and me To be
It's time to get our hands dirty
Be love... there's a whole lot of hurting
Calling all hearts Calling all hands Calling all feet to take a stand
Why sit around and wait for a miracle to come
when we can be one"
- Natalie Grant - Be One -
It will all work out. We're going to give it our very best. The Lord is guiding our journey... and... Oh, the places we'll go!!
"[We]'re off to Great Places!
Today is [our] day!
Our mountain is waiting.
So...[we're] on [our] way!”
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go!
-Alicia :)
The Future is as Bright as Your Faith - President Thomas S. Monson
To The Rescue
I Was a Stranger
2 comments:
Alicia
God bless you, in Phillipians 1, Paul and Timothy commend and bless the saints for their hearts to God and hands to the work. I thought this might apply to you and your husband and yes even your kids.
Philippians 1
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons[a]:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I thank my God every time I remember you.
4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy
5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,
6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
... 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Remember what Elder Holland said: Cast not away thy confidence: "Beware the temptation to retreat from a good thing. If it was right when you prayed about it and trusted it and lived for it, it is right now." Elder J. Holland
Love you so much, I know you can do this!
Ramona
Thank you, Ramona! I appreciate so much your thoughtfulness sharing this scripture and your encouragement with me. You are so sweet! Yesterday, my husband shared with me how he had been feeling a little overwhelmed but then listened to the talk called, "Refuge From the Storm" by Elder Patrick Kearon from this last conference. He said it only confirmed again in his mind that this is right and that somehow the Lord will qualify us for this very important work.
Last night, my husband and I brought home a bed frame and mattress for each room (we found them the classifieds). They are in mint condition. The kids were excited to see the places we are preparing for the foster children. This morning, I read the verse in John 14:3 that says, "I go to prepare a place for you." I couldn't help think of Sister Marriot's words from the General Relief Society meeting, "Love is making space in your life for someone else." I smiled.
I have also thought many times about the talk you referenced by Elder Holland. It's like what Romans 8:31 says, "If God is for us then what can stand against us?" We have felt that this is a mission call in every way. This is the Lord's work, so we know we can't fail. It will all work out, it always does.
Thanks for being such a great friend! Love you!
-Alicia :)
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