Tender Mercy

My house was robbed on December 8th and I lost many things including my laptop. It had all of my music files and pictures from the last 3 years. I have all my music on my iPod that was with me the day of the robbery, so I still have that. Luckily I made a backup of all my photos in April, but that still meant I was missing all my pictures (and I take a lot of pictures) since I've moved to Utah. Thank goodness for facebook. I have most of my photos still, but there was one event that I didn't post of facebook that I lost all the pictures for...my family reunion in Yellowstone in July. I admit that I was saddened by this news. Other family members took pictures, so I felt I would be ok. I had some really funny pictures though...blackmail pictures actually of my nephews that I couldn't wait to show to their girlfriends in 10 years. I was sad I lost those. I had resigned to my fate, when I was on my work computer and discovered a hidden picture file...of all of my Yellowstone pictures. Tears of gratitude immediately started flowing and I recognized a tender mercy on this Sabbath evening. I'm not sure my nephews will share my gratitude though. :-)

Be careful who you bring home...

My friend Abe told a story in church today that I've heard him tell a couple of times before, but I love it every time he tells it. It is a saying that his friend's parents would always tell their kids. They said, "Be careful who you bring home, because we will love them." I love that. It is a motto that I want to adopt for not only now in my single years living with roommates (and the random friends the roommates bring home) but especially for when I am raising a family. I think it is important to have a loving home environment where everyone feels welcome.

Abe's story continues with the sisters of his best friend. The sisters dated some very strange, almost shady young men. But, the parents would always accept them and make them feel welcome in their home. Even now, 20 years later, the daughters are married to different guys, but some of the old boyfriends still stop by to say hello to the parents. That is the kind of house I want to have.

Admitting defeat

I've decided to join the ranks of the bloggers. I've never really been interested in blogging and I'm still a little confused at this exact moment why I'm doing this, but I feel it is time. So, be patient with me...I'm new at this.