peace in my heart and joy in my soul

Elder L. Spencer Conrad at MTC

I am so grateful that I got the opportunity to raise a few of God's children. Contrary to what the world believes, children are a blessing. Certainly, it is a challenge but the joy far out weighs the challenge. Also I've found that if you put your whole heart and energy into this amazing opportunity (child rearing/homemaking), it can be the most fulfilling career choice of any other possibility.

Well, now my youngest is off to serve God's children on a mission for two years. I'm well aware of the disdain many hold for Latter-Day Saint Missionaries, but that does not change the fact that it is a good and noble thing to do with your life. "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." James 2:26 Many lives, including mine, were saved by the invitation to listen to the message of the gospel, pray about it's truthfulness, and decide to enter into the baptismal covenant. Dropping him off was easy, but as I got further and further away from the Mission Training Center, I began to feel a bit of anxiety. Is he prepared enough? Will he be safe? Will he be happy? Then I remembered the priesthood blessing he received the night before, which set him apart for this work. He was blessed with health, strength, endurance, and peace of mind. Without a doubt he is prepared with scriptural knowledge and a deep testimony of the truth of God's word. I will pray mightily but also trust in God that he will be fine. "But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works." Psalm 73:28

I changed the door knobs, because the above son lost the last of the door keys. We now have relative security for this home of ours. I'm packing up our belongings this morning so I can head down to warm country. It is a little unsure what will happen from here. Will I stay in Phoenix for a time to help family? Will I travel up to Seattle for tax season? Will we sell our home in Cedar? Who knows? Again I will trust in God to show me the correct path. Since I'm a planner, I don't like the wait and see way of life. But this time, it just must be. I'm praying that God will grant me peace in my heart and joy in my soul. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." Proverbs 3:5