Bev has had to do a few tests at the hospital. She doesn’t mind if it ends with a trip to Chick-fil-a 
Afton and her dad made this adorable little bench and Afton had Beverly help her paint it when it was all done. These two have been besties since they were one. Having them as next door neighbors during some of the hardest years of my life has been a huge blessing. 
Even at 9 years old, my little babies are still so cute when they sleep. 
This week was read across America. Harvey got to bring his favorite books and a flashlight to school. You’ll notice that one of his favorite books is Green Eggs and Ham. The other is his own: a book about Rainbow friends. 
Maverick got to read to a kindergarten friend as well as dress in various fun outfits. 
Beverly Dressed as Princess Ariel from 5 minute Princess stories. 
Maverick got to dress up as “recycling” grades 3 and up picked a vocabulary word instead of a character. 
Harvey missed dinosaur week due to the flu hitting our home, but his teachers saved him a dinosaur egg to excavate. He was thrilled as you can see. 
We also had the elementary school’s fun run. Beverly ran pretty much the entire time. She’s a natural runner. 
Harvey got to watch Mav’s fun run. He enjoyed dancing to the music. 
Maverick and his buddies (I cut them out for their privacy) 
Harvey is always cracking me up with what he chooses to wear (like his shirts and pants almost always being on backwards deliberately, and all of his accessories including a belt and tie to bed. Today it was Beverly’s eye mask.
I’ve felt a little bit like one of those bobble dolls that gets knocked down, only to get back up again before getting knocked back down. Beverly has been going through some tests, nothing serious, but it looks like she may have another UTI. I’m curious to how the urologist is going to treat this, since it seems to be recurring. On top of her urology problems, and missing a whole week for fevers, she decided to try to be a bit independent this morning and make her own hot chocolate. She filled the kettle, started it, then when it was finished decided to climb on the counter and get herself a mug. When she was jumping down from the counter, her nightgown caught the spout of the kettle and caused it to pour down her back. She is very burned. Doesn’t look like a 3rd degree, but it is very tender and she is in pain. Luckily we had some meds to give her thanks to prior injuries on Mav’s part and Andy’s job as a doctor. After a cold bath, Andy treated her. We will take her in to the wound clinic to get checked out tomorrow, since they’re closed today. It is so hard to see your child suffer. Everyone has reminded me how nice it is that I have a live-in doctor. I couldn’t agree more. I told one of my friends, I’m a mess now, imagine when Andy’s deployed and I don’t have a doctor on staff at all times. I know that we have some amazing neighbors and Andy’s coworkers would take great care of us at the hospital, but it is so convenient and comforting to have Andy know so much and be so capable. My brother Nik reminded me that I’m super lucky to have a husband like Andy because he can pretty much fix anything from humans, cars, and computers, to almost any home repair. I do feel very lucky.
My friends and I have been reading and sharing our thoughts on the October LDS general conference. This week we reread the talk, “Mortality Works!” by Elder Brook Hales. I was very moved by his talk, but after this morning it has been on repeat in my mind. Elder Hales home taught a sister who had had a very challenging life. After she passed away, her son had an experience where she visited him in the temple in a spiritual way and told him, “I want you to know that mortality works, and I want you to know that I now understand why everything happened [in my life] the way it did– and it is all ok.”
Some people are dealt worse cards than I. Though that doesn’t really comfort me when going through my own trials, just makes me feel bad for them. But, what does bring comfort is knowing that all of this will come together for my good. Another scripture that has brought comfort to me recently with things my own family and extended family are going through is, D&C 100:15, “Therefore, let your hearts be comforted; for all things shall work together for good to them that walk uprightly, and to the sanctification of the church.”
No matter what comes my way, with the Lord by my side, it will work together for my good. I was telling my hair dresser about a challenging time in Junior High where I experienced some bullying (her own kid is struggling in school). She said, “Oh my goodness, Elise! I feel so bad for younger you, it breaks my heart!” I said, “Oh, I’m fine, really, it was super hard, but in some ways it has sculpted me to be a stronger better version of myself.” I wish I could say that I walked away from those particular challenges unscathed, but there are scars that I sometimes have to fight against. Moments when I feel stings of jealousy because deep down I feel unlovable. But I know that is not Heavenly Father speaking, but rather the opposite. Who would profit more than Satan to make me feel of less worth than I am. I was feeling down today while taking the sacrament and as I was reflecting on the sacrifice my Savior made for me, I thought, “Why do I struggle to feel lovable? Am I lovable?” And the Savior filled my soul with peace, joy and love and reminded me that he loved me more than any one else could love me, didn’t his sacrifice prove that?” It did. It is enough. I am enough. It is hard to fight against our inner demons sometimes, but through His grace, it is possible, and we can come out even stronger and more resilient than before. I know I’ve shared this song a million times on here, but it is so powerful, so if you haven’t listened to it yet, please do. The song is “I wish you Pain” by Andy Grammer. Knowing that the painful moments in our life can sculpt us and make us stronger is one of the greatest comforts I know.
The sister in Elder Hale’s story that testified, “Mortality works!” is a true testament that this pain is not for naught. She had a very challenging life, but despite her own circumstances, when she crossed the veil, she saw the beauty in the tapestry of her trial-filled life. Pain is never wanted, nor enjoyed, but perhaps the result of the pain can make it worth it.