Thinking at Midnight

Tonight I had a girls' night with two of my closest friends. When the three of us get together we try and solve all of OUR world's problems (meaning the problems we face personally). There is so much evil, tragedy, sadness, and pain in this world, but there's also love, joy, peace, blessings, and miracles in this world. One of the boys I grew up with passed away at the age of 29 yesterday. I'm not sure how/what happened, but it is devastating. There are so many people who lie and cheat their way through life, not caring who they leave high and dry. There are people blessed with children who neglect and abuse them. There are so many who fall into temptations and self destruction. 

Am I one of these people? I don't mean to be, but there are time where I know I'm neglecting my babies to check email (100 times a day) or to wash dishes, or to do any of the endless chores that accompany a house full of giggly, creative little girls. Or that I embellish a story to make it better, or get mad at someone because their sins look differently than mine. I need to be better, but I know that's why the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ is available to me, and to you, and to everyone else. Recognizing the need to change is the first step to repentance, a change of heart and direction.

So as I'm sitting here thinking about all these hard things known at Mortality, my heart is bursting with love and admiration for my little family. My husband is always sweet, kind, and affectionate in word and deed. He is always looking for ways to compliment me and tells me that he loves me. I arrived at home tonight to a clean house, with three little princesses fast asleep, and one husband who had left me 2 things:

A love note with this:

He is always thinking of me and my needs. I am madly in love with him, and I love him so much for loving ME so much.

We have these three perfect little angels in our home. They are so smart and fun and full of energy. What complete joy they bring to my life. The thought of losing one of them is unimaginable. 

I am so thankful for my life. SO thankful. I'm amazed at the Lord's blessings and tender mercies, which He FREELY gives, regardless of how deserving or UNdeserving I am. Instead of complaining about the frigid temperatures outside, I'm going to express gratitude for my warm and dry home, with all of the comforts inside of it. Instead of being upset that I only have 3 pair of pants I like to wear out of the 10 that I have, I'm going to express gratitude for having TEN pair of pants! Instead of being upset that my girls disobey sometimes, I'm going to express gratitude for three little girls' whom Mathieu and I have the privilege to teach, rear, and train within the bounds the Lord has set.