Christmas 2012

Well, this was not the merriest of christmases.  We were all sick!

Initially we thought it was something that was just gonna pass.  And then a few days passed, and it didn't.  We found ourselves praying more earnestly for healing and hoping that the next day would bring signs recovery.

In the midst of all this sickness, I was up with a baby one night.  The thought came to me that I'd been praying for recovery, but that I ought to be praying for strength to carry the burden.  So my prayers changed.

A story from the Book of Mormon came to mind.  The people of Alma were in bondage and they prayed for deliverance and this is how the Lord answered them-
"And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.  And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even ye cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.  And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord." (Mosiah 24: 13-15).

I also thought of the definition of grace from the bible dictionary. "Grace.  A word that occurs frequently in the New Testament, especially in the writings of Paul.  The main idea of the word is divine means of help or strength, given through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ...It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals, through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means.  This grace is an enabling power..."

Well, that was about day 3 or 4 into this whole sickness thing.  And now it's day 13 and we're still sick. We did finally see the doctors...after Chad having to reschedule his patients for the week & me noticing white dots on my inflamed tonsils.  (I know, overdue.  We've just experienced so many different sicknesses/symptoms that with each one we thought it would pass and we'd be done in a few days time.)   The doctor's diagnosis- strep throat and ear infections...even in Liam and Max.  My poor babies!

As I was out visiting doctor's offices, picking up prescriptions and grocery shopping for the essentials (juice & soup) I was surprised at the stamina I was feeling.  It wasn't the most pleasant experience (and for those of you in public, I promise I was trying to be the least contagious as possible!), but I was surprisingly okay.  

I must admit, I did give myself some undeserved airs thinking I was pretty tough stuff-  taking care of everyone, running errands.  I remembered Shannon when she had strep.  She looked totally miserable (which I'm sure her matted bed head added to the effect.  Love you Shannon!).  And I knew how incapacitated Chad was at home.  And then I recalled my prayers.  I knew that the Lord was blessing me with the strength that I had prayed for.  And further more, I knew that the Lord had inspired me to pray for that in the first place so that I could take care of my family this week.

I don't know how the Lord always works.  Sometimes he delivers us from our trials.  Sometimes we are healed quickly.  Sometimes he prevents us from hardship altogether by forewarning us.  But sometimes he just gives us the strength to handle our trials and to grow from them.  In this particular instance, I'm grateful for answered prayers.  And I'm also grateful that the Lord helped me know what to pray for even before I knew it.

And I also must say- I'm grateful for family.  I can't think of anyone else I'd rather be sick with!

Here's some pictures from our Christmas.

We were supposed to spend Christmas Eve night with out family, but we were too sick...but we really wanted to be there to see my parents receive their Christmas present from us kids...a new flatscreen. So we stayed long enough to open presents.
...not sure why, but Liam always has this disgusted look on his face when he's tearing wrapping paper.
My mom made every grandkid a quilt...
...and us a cute sign.
Our Christmas Eve pajamas.
And this was us Christmas morning...pathtically sick!