Thursday, December 4, 2008

"Come What May, and Love It"


Oh, how I have drawn much comfort in these sweet, reassuring words from Elder Wirthlin from his final General Conference talk in October. We sold our home in a matter of about 30 minutes and were given one week to move. We have two more days left. This home has become such a treasure to me. We have been here five years since Jordan and I took our first steps together as husband and wife. Then we were here to watch our first little angel take her first steps. We survived the natural disasters that inevitably blew through our walls; the multiple floods and then our ceiling caving in; somehow these disasters only made our foundation stronger.
We are moving across the street temporarily while our home is being built. We have already had to fix leaks, dysfunctional heaters and swamp coolers, and whitewash the place from top to bottom. I can feel myself on heavenly surveillance right at this moment. Two days ago I went to get Charly up from her nap, only to find an entire white wall, crib, changing table, sheets, blankets, stuffed animals and a little innocent girl COVERED in permanent green marker. While I thought she was napping away, she was really playing Picasso all over the nursery. Where she came up with the marker?? Only heaven knows!
Then, about 20 minutes ago, I was lifting a heavy box of my nice dishes from our wedding and lowering them into a wagon I have been using to cart everything back and forth. On my way into the living room, the bottom of the box broke and my dishes shattered everywhere!!
Just to give you an idea of where my emotions are at right now: Yesterday, it was a pretty breezy day and while I was walking back and forth from house to house, I noticed a bird's nest that had been blown from the tree. I started sobbing and sobbing uncontrollably at the heartbroken reality that they had lost their home. I knew how they felt because WE were losing our home too and so I cried and cried some more.

So there is a big pile of shattered dishes downstairs and a nursery covered in the finest work of art from a 22 month old. But you know what, I am okay. I know that the Lord blesses us with these great trials, which oftentimes come at us all at once ("When it rains, it pours!"), but then He showers us with His sweet tender mercies if we endure through it well. I know that the Lord will look after this little family of robins as He will also look after us.

So, today I am taking on as my new motto for life, the blessed words from Elder Wirthlin,
"Come What May, and Love It!"

....Yes, there are TWO little birds in that nest! We will soon be adding another little one to the flock!...which may also explain my extra tank of tears!!

16 comments:

Julie said...

CONGRATULATIONS KRISTIN!!! I'm so happy for you! Having two little ones is great! When are you due and how are you feeling? I'm sorry about your dishes. I would have cried!

P.S. Are we going to see you at Jon Schmidt this year? We are going on Friday night, the 12th.

Ashley Rae said...

Congrats on pregnancy number 2! Charley will love having a little bro/sis! :) I'm sorry about all the stuff going on.. you're right- when it rains it definitely pours. But I am AMAZED at your positive attitude. I probably would have dug a hole for myself in that backyard, at that point. ;)

You're a fabulous person!

Rachelle said...

I'm sorry that things are overwhelming right now.. but things always work out somehow.. right? Congratulations again.

Kim and Ken Carlile said...

Kristin! I am so sorry that things are so hard right now. Do you have a new address? Would you please email it to me so we can send out our Christmas cards. I would have cried right along with you! So sad....and yet CONGRATULATIONS! That is very happy and exciting news. I need more info and more details..please! I'll be thinking of you!

Jaime said...

Oh no wonder you were crying. that is hard to be pregnant and have to move in one week. Congrats though and good job for being so positive in very frustrating moments. That's awesome.

thebellcrew said...

oh kristin yay! and sad as well about all those crazy things hat can happen with moving. I swear your life is turned upside down literally when you move. I am sorry about your dishes.

Julie said...

Oh! You have to love wall art! Did you have a "magic eraser"? They are a god send!! And as for the overflow of emotions! I totally understand! I watched the second to last episode of Boston Legal last night. This is the last season! And I could not stop seriously sobbing because I will miss it so much! Oh, these crazy pregnancy hormones!! Well, I am so sorry about your dishes and other mishaps! I love you!

jaclyn anderson said...

Oh Kristin I am so sorry for the hectic week in moving all your things and for the art all over the nursery and for the broken dishes. I would have cried too and even more if I was pregnant! Please let me know if I can do anything to help you out! Congratulations on the wonderful news!

melbel said...

Hi Kristin! It's Melanie (Messick) I'm one of those "blog stalkers" and I just wanted to say how happy I am for you! I love this post - so genuine and with a positive outlook. I cry all the time too, and I'm not even pregnant!

Anyway, I don't have your email address but I'd be happy to send you an invite to our blog. melbelmiller at gmail

Mel said...

What a busy and crazy time! i'M SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT ALL THAT'S GOING ON! gOOD LUCK WITH MOVING EVERYTHING. aND i HOPE YOU HAVE LIFE SETTLE DOWN A LITTLE!

Jennifer said...

Congratulations!! That is such exciting news!! I'm also very impressed that you can manage to remember that there are blessings waiting at the other end of your trials. That is very hard for me to do sometimes when I am in the midst of difficult circumstances!

rachael said...

Congratulations on the new little come coming your way!! Has it really been five years???? My how time flies!!

Glass House said...

I read the article, "Come What May, and Love It", this morning as I was exercising and I happened to look at your blog the very same day! I might have to use this title for myself too!!! We have been having some huge struggles as well!!! But HF is there for us!!! I am sorry that things are crazy for you right now, but what an awesome thing to be expecting again!!! Congratulations!

Mel said...

Hey, Kristen! If you could write me your email address, then I can add you. I'm going private with my blog. Thanks! And what are you having?

Jess said...

Oh Kristin, you are amazing! I cry every time I move--and that's without being pregnant! I'm so happy for the wonderful things you have to look forward to, though! In the meantime, let me know if there's anything we can do to help. We're almost just across the street!

Tawni said...

Congrats Kristin!!! That is sooooooo exciting!!! I'm sorry its been such a crazy time, but you always have such a wonderful attitude about everything. I hope things are going better. :) So when are you due?