Thanksgiving Point

Trials

I've been pondering a lot about trials lately. Why is it that Heavenly Father doesn't ever let us get comfortable or give us a break? Why do things have to be learned the hard way and not through a text book?

Here's a few other quotes that I've come to love:

"Just when all seems to be going right, challenges come in multiple doses applied simultaneously. When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels that you are prepared to grow more. He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching and that generally entails discomfort and pain. . . . The Lord's plan is to exalt you to live with him and be greatly blessed. The rate at which you qualify is generally set by your capacity to mature, to grow, to love, and to give of yourself. He is preparing you to be a god. You cannot understand fully what that means, yet, He knows. As you trust Him, seek and follow His will, you will receive blessings that your finite mind cannot understand here on earth. Your Father in Heaven and His Holy Son know better than you what brings happiness" (Richard G Scott, Trust in the Lord, Ensign, November 1995).

"He knows perfectly well that your own efforts are never going to bring you anywhere near perfection" (CS Lewis).

"Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right to stop the leaks in the roof and so on. You knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage; but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself" (CS Lewis).

"We must be willing to give up the life we have planned for the life we have waiting for us" (Quoted by Elaine Dalton).

My final thought is of lifting weights. We don't start out lifting hundreds of pounds. We start out light and gradually increase the weight. I guess that's how life is. Heavenly Father is our trainer and He keeps adding more weight - pushing us to meet our potential - who knew we could become so strong. I guess exaltation is not for the week.

Macie's 10 Month Pictures

Kaden's Birthday Party

The kids had to walk the plank to earn their hook. They also fished for pirate garb and went on a treasure hunt. Kaden had a blast!

Pirate Mark

Mom and the birthday boy

The pirate ship cake. We stayed up way too late making it but Mark is so proud. My co-workers now call him Marka Stewart.

Chidren Pick Up on Everything

Today Kaden put the Boppy on his lap and told me that he wanted to feed Macie. I put her on his lap and he lifted up his shirt. He's so funny.

Relay for Life

Mark's mom and Grandpa walking the survivor lap last year.
Our team last year

Many of you know that Mark's mom recently passed away following a lengthy battle with cancer. In her honor we are participating in the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life fundraiser and hope to make a meaningful difference in the fight against cancer.

The American Cancer Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length.

We appreciate any contributions you are willing to make. Visit our site at:

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY11GW?px=18779864&pg=personal&fr_id=34055

Pictures of the Kiddos

One More Day

As many of you know, my Mom's journey is coming to an end. Although, her journey has been hard she is at peace. We are gathered around her as family and can feel of her spirit. The veil is very thin and our very blessed to be part of this time we have to spend with her as a family. The Holy Ghost is so strong. I have never felt the spirits comfort so strongly in my life. I am thankful for the knowledge of the plan of salvation. I am eternally grateful for the atonement of Jesus Christ, and the comfort that his example brings to me at this time. My brothers and sisters have set up a blog to write about this experience at this time. Feel free to visit the blog at www.kathiecaldwell.blogspot.com

-Mark

More Pictures of Macie

Here's a few more pictures of Macie. Kaden was done by the time we got to family pictures so they didn't turn out great - what do you do?

New Baby Pictures

Here are some new baby pictures that were taken the day after Macie was born.