Love Letters

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I like to email my husband on occasion, whether to encourage him on, or share something that I can't seem to express in the spoken word. Recently, I wrote my husband (yes, we do live in the same house!) and explained something that's been troubling me (not relating to him!)

I would like to share just a portion of the words my husband and I exchanged on this matter.

=====beginning of email excerpts====

ME:

(I first explained my feelings about what is hurt me (Again, nothing to do with any words or actions on his part.). Sorry folks, you don't get to read what I wrote him there!!)

"Let's just move forward in faith. Trusting that Heavenly Father has a plan in all things. I know he does."

I gave him a haircut.  My training-- compliments of Youtube! :)

"You have really been making wonderful changes. You are a good man, and Heavenly Father is really in charge- especially where you are working so hard to give your will to Him, and to treat the children and I so kindly. Your efforts do not go unnoticed."

BRIANT:

"Christine,

"Thanks for sharing! I won't bother

you about it anymore. I love you and

hope you can feel the warm calming

embrace of the savior telling you how

special you are."

Briant

ME:

"Sweet Briant,

"I almost can't believe those are your words! It shows all the beautiful changes within you. I am thankful I have you to speak those words, and that you have taken up, in a figurative way, His words and His arms to help teach me of my value."

=====end of email excerpts====

Marriage has it's ups and downs, but I can honestly tell you that through our righteous desires and and daily efforts and actions, Heavenly Father has granted us special blessing in trying to follow Him with exactness.

If you think your marriage needs any help, first start in trying to make yourself a better, kinder person, who is dedicated to Heavenly Father (i.e. daily prayer (especially asking for His gift of charity), scriptures, softer words and humility (always being quick to say sorry when you don't act or speak your best!), and show forth a lot of extra love and affection to your spouse. Overtime, you will see the affect it has on your spouse and children, and you will be amazed at the miracles God can perform.

Our marriage and home is not perfect, by any means! But over time, I have begun to see that our relationship experiences can be little pieces of heaven- as seen in my husbands precious words to me!

Kind of reminds me of this Broadway song, from Beauty and the Beast. Beauty understands that home is where the heart is, and over time changes within her help alter her perspective of the situation she is in-- from one of discontent to feelings of love. Of course, we must always remember that our true home will only be found in the peaceful presence of our loving Father in heaven! Thankfully, we can have glimpses of that home through the choices and words of others!

What's amazing is this version is song by a high school girl!

I am further reminded of the talk that affected the way I perceived my role in the life of others. Here is an excerpt from the entirety of that beautiful talk...

==talk excerpt

"We may not know when or how the Lord’s answers will be given, but in His time and His way, I testify, His answers will come. For some answers we may have to wait until the hereafter. This may be true for some promises in our patriarchal blessings and for some blessings for family members. Let us not give up on the Lord. His blessings are eternal, not temporary."

"Waiting upon the Lord gives us a priceless opportunity to discover that there are many who wait upon us. Our children wait upon us to show patience, love, and understanding toward them. Our parents wait upon us to show gratitude and compassion. Our brothers and sisters wait upon us to be tolerant, merciful, and forgiving. Our spouses wait upon us to love them as the Savior has loved each one of us."

"As we endure physical suffering, we are increasingly aware of how many wait upon each of us. To all the Marys and Marthas, to all of the good Samaritans who minister to the sick, succor the weak, and care for the mentally and physically infirm, I feel the gratitude of a loving Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son. In your daily Christlike ministry, you are waiting upon the Lord and doing your Heavenly Father’s will. His assurance to you is clear: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” He knows your sacrifices and your sorrows. He hears your prayers. His peace and rest will be yours as you continue to wait upon Him in faith."

"Every one of us is more beloved to the Lord than we can possibly understand or imagine. Let us therefore be kinder to one another and kinder toward ourselves. Let us remember that as we wait upon the Lord, we are becoming “saint[s] through [His] atonement, … submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon [us], even as a child doth submit to his father.”"

"Such was the submission of our Savior to His Father in the Garden of Gethsemane. He implored His disciples, “Watch with me,” yet three times He returned to them to find their eyes heavy with sleep. Without the companionship of these disciples and ultimately without the presence of His Father, the Savior chose to suffer our “pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind.” With an angel sent to strengthen Him, He “shrank not to drink the bitter cup.” He waited upon His Father, saying, “Thy will be done,” and He humbly trod the winepress alone. Now, as one of His Twelve Apostles in these latter days, I pray that we will be strengthened to watch with Him and wait upon Him through all our days."

On this Sabbath morning, I express gratitude that “in my Gethsemane” and yours, we are not alone. He that watches over us “shall neither slumber nor sleep.” His angels here and beyond the veil are “round about [us], to bear [us] up.” I bear my special witness that our Savior’s promise is true, for He says, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” May we wait upon Him by pressing forward in faith, that we may say in our prayers, “Thy will be done,” and return to Him with honor. In the holy name of our Savior and Redeemer, even Jesus Christ, amen."

Elder Robert D. Hales 

 https://www.lds.org/…/waiting-upon-the-lord-thy-will-be-don…

Psalms 43:5

5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

My friends, Trust in God.  Look to Him in everything, and He will take care of you!
Christine