Yea!!

Some things are so worth waiting for!  Trent's sister-in-law was baptized this past Saturday.  We didn't know that it was even going to happen - total surprise for us....but what a fantastic one to have!  His brother has been trying to come back into the gospel, and his wife was a non-member and was really giving him a hard time about changing his life and wanting her to do the same.   We just found out that she had been taking the missionary discussions without the family knowing and decided to be baptised.  I am so very proud of her for wanting to do this on her own without any of us to influence her decision.  I am very excited for the direction this family is going - it is so exciting to see the changes that are taking place - all for the best!  I love to see the gospel taking place in the hearts of people...what better testament is there of the truthfulness of what we are taught then to see what happens when someone embraces it and decides to live it.  Sometimes I forget the blessings that I have because I tend to get used to the way things are - it's good to have these little reminders of how much the Gospel effects our every day life, and how grateful I need to be because of it.
I also have a fantastic niece who is trying to get her family to the temple.  She is such a great example to me of how to persevere.  She tells me that she looks up to me - when really she is showing how to conquer and become strong in the face of opposition.  I am also very proud of her and her decision to come back...I'd also like to tell her to be patient.  All good things take time - and this is the best thing that one can do for your family.  Be diligent - be strong - expect set-backs, they will come.  Remember who you are and as a daughter of God he is your loving Father who wants nothing but the best for you.  Remember that all things are on his time-table and not on ours.  He sees things down the road that we cannot see and if we will let Him, He will steer you into paths of righteousness and joy.
I wish that I didn't have to worry about these 2 families - as they join in the congregations at church.  I hope that everyone is open and accepting of them - without preconceived notions or pre-judgments.  We are all beggars before the Lord.  This Church is a hospital for the sick, not a sanctuary for the perfected.