After the trial of your faith comes the blessing...

This month has certainly been an interesting one for the Swensons. Hence, the lack of posting on the blog. Needless to say, we have been under some stress. With all that aside now, I can say I have learned a lot about faith.

I thought that I was a very faithful person. I believe that good happens, and that when we pray Heavenly Father listens. I know that He answers prayers when He can, and I have used the Atonement to find peace. All of this was in place for me. Even as this trial showed up, I used everything I had learned but Heavenly Father still needed to show me how faith can really be used.

I wanted to share what I have learned. Faith isn't just believing that through prayer, fasting, priesthood blessings and such... that all will work out according to how you have planned and on your time table. Faith is believing that Heavenly Father has the best plan for you, even if it isn't when and how you think. I lost sight of that. I am someone who wants things to happen right now, and when my answer didn't come, I thought Heavenly Father had deserted us. That's not what faith is about at all.

As the days went by with no answer or solution, I was in despair. As I turned to Heavenly Father in prayer I asked him, "Have we not done enough? Have we not done our part? Why haven't you helped with the part that we can't do?" I knew that He heard my prayer, and I was reminded that after the trial of my faith will come the blessing. My Faith was certainly tried. In my final moments of discouragement, I offered one more prayer. It was simply: "Heavenly Father... I have given all I have and I am running out of strength. Please sustain me." He simply touched me through the Spirit, telling me that He loved me and that it was almost over. Just minutes after this prayer and answer, we received the answer we had been looking for.

I want to share my testimony of faith. I know now that sometimes faith means holding on until you can't hold on any longer. After the trial we will be blessed, for this life is the test. I certainly was tested these last few weeks, as I am sure many of you have been at times in your life. I hope what I have learned and shared can help you recognize that Heavenly Father will not abandon us. He listens, and He knows us. He knows our needs, and what is best for each one of us. Sometimes we just have to wait, and the blessing will come. It will be the right blessing for us at the right time.

Easter Vacation

We decided to take a trip to Utah very spur of the moment. We made the decision, and hopped in the car four hours later. It was a wonderful trip. We were able to see grandparents, spend some time taking care of some important things, and enjoy Easter together. Here are a few pictures of the kids enjoying some Easter events. Flying kites, blowing bubbles, coloring eggs, hunting eggs, and getting all dressed up for Easter Sunday.

Match Day!!

No, we did not fall off the face of the earth, but sometimes it felt like it. For those of you wondering what happened to us, we went to visit grandparents. We just hopped in the car and took a road trip. It is so nice to spend time with family. Jonathan has already made his way back to Kansas City. I am staying for a week longer to spend time with our families.

One exciting event that happened while we were in Utah was "match day". This is the process for obtaining a residency spot. It is a long process, and it's finally over. We found out today and we are moving to Little Rock, Arkansas. We are so thrilled! This was one of our top choices. Jonathan will begin his residency in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. It could not have worked out better for our family. We are so glad to know where the next phase of life will be. I hope everyone is well. I can't wait to get back home, and start surfing everyone's blogs. I bet I have missed out on so much. Happy Blogging!! We will see you soon.

Warm weather coming our way...

I think we are supposed to be warming up around here. I checked the weather for the month, and it looks like it will be above 50 degrees this whole month. What a welcome change. The kids are already enjoying it, even though it is still chilly. Isaac even enjoys being outside. He loves to swing, so I bundle him up, and out we go. The kids love to take turns pushing him. I am looking forward to Wednesday. It is supposed to be 70! The kids are already asking to wear shorts and flip-flops. Spring needs to get here fast, so I don't have to deal with the tears every morning when I tell the kids that they have to wear shoes AND socks. Anyway, I have enjoyed the sunshine. It has done wonders for my mood.

Eat your Vegetables

As many of you know, I have never been a fan of cooked vegetables. In fact, we hardly eat them at our house because I could hardly gag them down. After each baby, I have something knew to add to my likes at the dinner table. I recently found out that my new addition after Isaac is cooked vegetables. Broccoli being one of the favs. Yes Mom, I said Broccoli. Can you believe it? I sure can't. I realized this while in Arkansas. We were invited to dinner at a LDS couples home. We hardly knew them. They served steamed vegetables, and I felt like I should eat them to be polite. What I realized was, I actually liked them. I have tried and tried, and could never really stomach them. Now, I actually crave them. Tonight, I had a whole plate of steamed Broccoli, and it was delicious. Who knew? I am turning in to a grownup. AHHH!!

Isaac redo

I wan't feeling it with Isaac's so I did a re-do. I love that you can do that with digital scrapbooking, and not feel guilty because you just wasted a whole bunch of paper. I bought some canvas's yesterday and I will print them, and then put them on the canvas to hang in my kids room. I am making this project up so I hope it works. I will post the finished project once I get them complete.

Isaac

Can't forget Isaac. When Jex was six months, I had pictures taken of him in his diaper with Jonathan's tie on. I thought it was fitting to have Isaac with Jonathan's stethoscope, since this is the year of his graduation from medical school.

Jex

So... Stella's pictures turned out so nice I had to take some of Jex.