The Price We Pay...

Today as I prepared and taught the lesson to my primary class of 10 & 11 year olds, this came as an answer to prayers, a sort of ah-ha/reminder moment

.

Over two hundred members of the Willie and Martin handcart companies died before they could reach the Salt Lake Valley. None of the other handcart companies coming to the valley before or after them suffered so many problems.

Some years after the Martin company made their journey to Salt Lake City, a teacher in a Church class commented how foolish it was for the Martin company to come across the plains when it did. The teacher criticized the Church leaders for allowing a company to make such a journey without more supplies and protection.

An old man sitting in the classroom listened for a few moments and then spoke out, asking that the criticism be stopped. He said, “Mistake to send the Handcart Company out so late in the season? Yes. But I was in that company and my wife was in it. … We suffered beyond anything you can imagine and many died of exposure and starvation, but did you ever hear a survivor of that company utter a word of criticism? Not one of that company ever apostatized or left the Church, because everyone of us came through with the absolute knowledge that God lives for we became acquainted with him in our extremities [difficulties].

“I have pulled my handcart when I was so weak and weary from illness and lack of food that I could hardly put one foot ahead of the other. I have looked ahead and seen a patch of sand or a hill slope and I have said, I can go only that far and there I must give up, for I cannot pull the load through it. … I have gone on to that sand and when I reached it, the cart began pushing me. I have looked back many times to see who was pushing my cart, but my eyes saw no one. I knew then that the angels of God were there.

“Was I sorry that I chose to come by handcart? No. Neither then nor any minute of my life since. The price we paid to become acquainted with God was a privilege to pay, and I am thankful that I was privileged to come in the Martin Handcart Company” (quoted in David O. McKay, “Pioneer Women,” p. 8; emphasis in original).

So this post is to ask, what is the price we pay to become acquainted with God? What price do each of us pay to become acquainted with our Savior and His Love?

Doctrine and Covenants 24:8 says, Be patient in all thine afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days.

Right now I am thankful for the many answers and blessings I receive daily. More recently there have been times I have looked back to see who was "pushing my cart". I have told myself I will get that test done, that paper written, or those five loads of laundry folded and then I do not think I can go on any more, only to realize that through some miracle I keep going. There are many personal life situations I know of right now that can relate to this. Mine seems unimportant compared to others, yet I know He is there for me and for YOU. I know there are angels helping each of us through our many difficult life experiences and I am thankful for that!

Love, Marilla

These are a few of my favorite things...

Last night I was looking at some old pictures with Joey and we were having so much fun.

Those were the days.
I am sure someday I'll look back and say that about today, but for today these pics were the day!

Look at those BIG Brown Eyes! and those sweet lil cheeks!David and his BIG Brown Eyes!
They loved reading then and they love reading now.
I love these two. Sharing posicles is what they do...

Like Father, Like son... so handsome!

I love the mountains in Cedar and the fall colors in the leaves.

Joey's first Birthday, in the tub.

David's first birthday, in Palmyra NY.

Handsome boys!!!!

Best buddies!

In the Jacuzzi in our old backyard. Man I miss that place! That time! Those were the days I'll never forget!

Giving thanks!

Today I am thankful for the chance to be able to relax.

I was able to finish writing a paper that is due on Tuesday. I was able to prepare half of a nice Thanksgiving dinner and my sister-in-law Julie did the other half.

I had a nice day!

Today I am thankful to know that our Heavenly Father has a plan for us.

I am grateful to know I can count on our Father in Heaven. I am grateful He is dependable and allows us to learn.

I know He is bound by laws and because of those laws He can not interfere with our agency, unless we allow Him to.

(I hope this makes sense, it is a newer concept to me so I am not as eloquent with the words as I'd like to be.)

If we want the Holy Spirit in our lives and if we want God in our lives we have to invite them. I am so thankful for them in my life. I pray for them daily!

I am thankful for good parents who taught me well and raised me in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am thankful for a living prophet and apostles on the earth.

I am thankful for the restored gospel, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

I am thankful for wonderful examples and righteous people I interact with daily who love and serve others.

I learn from them.

I learn how to be a better person, how to serve my fellowman, how to be humble and teachable.

I learn how to be grateful for the things I have and not take them for granted.

I have a lot to learn and a long ways to go, but for today these are the things I am learning and thankful for!

Thanksgiving

Today at my internship during morning meditation the idea was suggested, if today was your last day what would you do? who would you call? who would you forgive? I think that theme goes along with the theme of the month, Thanksgiving.

These are some of the things I am thankful for.
Having a close family.
This is a large group of people I would want to spend my last days with.

This is some of us years ago with my maternal grandparents.

ADORABLE! I would definitely want to be with these two tired boys!
I am thankful for my freedom! This is at the tomb of the unknown soldier.

I am thankful for the Temple. Iam thankful for forever families! I am thankful for travelling(on a scholarship, nonetheless.) I am thankful for Terrific In-Laws!

I am thankful for classsmates who have made getting an education fun, uplifting and inspiring. This is after a flag gootball game some of us played the 2nd years against the 1st years.

I am thankful for the man I married.

I am thankful for my husband. Even though we do not have the "perfect marriage", I love him. I learn so much from him and would want to spend my last day(s) with him. I would hope he knows how much I love and care about him!

A thought...

I would go into more detail, but I don't have time. I want to go to bed, but someone shared a thought that I heard today and I wanted to share it with those of you who care enough and have time to read my blog...

It goes like this, "maybe God does give us more than we can handle, otherwise why would we need Him?"

Then I thought hmmm maybe that is true... Maybe he gives us more than we can handle to humble us and help us draw closer to Him. (Just a thought.) I am greatful for all the help He gives to me!

Last weekend...

First of all I got to meet little Eddie Rockwell, born Halloween day 2009. Glad I got to see Lyndy, Jon and Matix too.

Then I got to go to Mesa and hang out with my family.

This is a picture of my cousin Daniel. A few of us went to a mall in Mesa. It was fun. I have the best cousins/family ever!!! We were just being silly.

The boys were able to go to a Jazz game with some good friends while I was gone.

David lost his second tooth.

And most importantly I gained an Uncle and some neices (cousins) for Eternity! Love you Dran and Doug, Lilly and Layla! Thanks for letting me be a part of that BEAUTIFUL experience.