Trials and Footprints....

The kids and myself have been so excited for Christmas to get here. We decorated the tree the weekend before Thanksgiving and Kaleb and Karmindy loved hanging ornaments. The funniest part is seeing a bunch of ornaments in one local area on the tree and Mark and I having to distribute them to other parts of the tree. I love watching my kids enjoying themselves and having fun. After going to Karmindy's heart appointment the day before Thanksgiving, I have really been trying to enjoy my kids more and take the time for them. I know that these cute kid stages don't last long and I have found myself trying to take more time then what I usually do by reading that extra book or playing the same game again after playing it several times. It isn't that I didn't take the time before but I try to make more time for my two darlings. I am learning that the little things that bug you are not really important or worth worrying about. All I worry about and want more than anything is both my kids to be healthy and strong. It has weighed so heavily on my heart lately. I try not to have a bad attitude and have pity parties for myself and ask, "Why?" I know that my Heavenly Father is mindful of me and I know that he doesn't give us trials because he is mad at us or dislikes us. He gives them to us to make us grow and to help refine us and make us into the person he wants us to become. I recently came across a little quote that I loved and touched my heart one day when I was having a incredible hard day. It said, "Today's trial is tomorrows testimony." I love this quote! It made me stop dead in my tracks and really think about the trials that we face in our daily lives. I can't say that I am grateful for my trials but I know that my Heavenly Father put me on this earth to learn things. In return, by learning the things I need to I can help others around me overcome hardships too! I have decided that Life is really, really hard sometimes and it definitely isn't a cake walk but I know that I can get through everything by turning to my Heavenly Father for help. I know this to be true because I have had many people say to me, "Ashlee, how did you make it through Karmindy's open heart surgery? I couldn't have done that." I look back and realize that the Lord was by my side at all times and he gave me the strength to endure what I was going through. Another poem I love is called Foot prints and gives me great comfort.

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed
he was walking along the beach with the LORD.

Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene he noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand: one belonging
to him, and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints in the sand.

He noticed that many times along the path of
his life there was only one set of footprints.

He also noticed that it happened at the very
lowest and saddest times in his life.

This really bothered him and he
questioned the LORD about it:

"LORD, you said that once I decided to follow
you, you'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that during the most
troublesome times in my life,
there is only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why when
I needed you most you would leave me."

The LORD replied:

"My son, my precious child,
I love you and I would never leave you.
During your times of trial and suffering,
when you see only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you."

I pray that my Heavenly Father and my brother Jesus Christ will continue to be by my side as our little family continues to go through health problems with our Daughter. I know he is always there for me....