Children

Children are given to us--on loan--for a very short period of time. They come to us like packets of flower seeds, with no pictures on the cover and no guarantees. We do not know what they will look like, act like, or have the potential to become. Our job, like the gardener's, is to meet their needs as best we can: to give proper nourishment, love, attention, and caring, and to hope for the best.
--Katharine Kersey

I saw this posted on someone blogs and I know that it is so true. Today as I was reading in Jacob about the vineyard and grafting and the good and the bad. It made me be even more aware that we never know what choices our children will make and how it will effect their lives forever.(we even have to ground them) (Pray for them a lot) Sometimes a small choice, which you may not think it will effect anyone but yourself will effect many. I think about my choice to join the church many many years ago. I was young and I don't remember thinking about how this will effect my family for generations, but now I realize it has and does. Because of Rick's and my choice to join the church(each at a different time) and be married in the temple for time and eternity, we will have our family with us. Now I know Meridith will be there, the others it is still their choice. Sometimes the here and now seems more important then the eternity. I pray that our entire family will be together forever. I remember Rachel telling Kim after Meridith died that she needs this to be true. Rachel, Aaron and Brett, I know it is true. There is no doubt. There never has been, for that I am blessed. I don't want to give anyone the wrong ideal and think that because I know this is true and right, that everything is roses...Ha far from it. I know Satan works hard on me, and he will work hardest on me through my kids. One day as I was driving I thought about my patriarchal blessing,and how Satan will use everything he has to get me. So I thought about Meridith, did he think that by taking Meridith young, that I would fold? That I would just give up? I know that is why the Lord allowed me to know that she would not be here long, so that when times get tough and they do, I would rely on my testimony. That is why Helaman 5:12 is my favorite scripture. Children are a blessing, enjoy them, love them. Grandchildren are even more fun, we love Haylee and Calan.