"It's Hail"

Lately, I must admitt that I have been down in the dumps. Not for any reason in particular. We love the house and neighborhood that we live in (even if we don't know any of our neighbors), the ward seems really great (we just need to go more often), and we are really blessed to have the jobs that we do. Rivers has a good paying job, probably better than anything else we could find while he is going to school full-time. But for some reason I just feel down. It could be that Rivers works and then I get to see him for just a short amount of time before he heads off to school every evening. Or it could be that I hate going out in the cold so while he is gone I just sit at home in my PJ's. This last week Julia took me with her to a pilates class which was fun, maybe I should do that more often.

Rivers has been great to try and cheer me up. He is so awesome, last night he brought us home a Pork salad from Cafe Rio and some triple chocolate icecream for dinner. Yesterday I needed to run to the store and drop off a letter at the post office, so he came along just so we could have an extra 15 minutes together before he had to go to school. There was a storm rolling in which seemed to add to the way I was feeling and after driving silently in the car for a moment I said: "It's Hail". I was referring to the white pellets that were clinking on our windsheild, but Rivers looked at me and kindof gave me a smile. "Yes, I told him..sometimes life can be Hell too."

Anyway maybe I should end with 10 things that I am excited/grateful for. It may lift my spirits.

1. Rivers is the best husband ever.
2. He gave me permission to book our Costa Rica Vacation
3. He only has 3 years left of school
4. Next year at school won't be so busy.
5. Then we can move to Asia
6. I love my family.
7. I have a few good girlfriends to talk to.
8. My job is the best
9. We made a goal to be more active in church
10. We are going on a date tomorrow night.

In Conquering the Storms, I confront images of God's awesome power -- lightning, storm clouds, driving winds, pounding surf. Here, in truth, is a storm that can shake us to the core of our being. And yet, if we hold onto the rock of our faith, we can ride out any storm.
Conquering the Storms is a parable in paint, an inspired affirmation of the great gift of faith, which allows us to accept the power of God as a source of strength.
--- Thomas Kinkade