It's all just stuff

My last post was a venting I needed, but in the few days since, I have come to learn some things.

I went to Plymouth, MA with the kids on Wednesday. I enjoyed it and love the early history of America. It amazes me at what the people did to get here, and what they left behind as a sacrifice for freedom and the promise of something better.

When we got back, I finished up preparations for the yard sale, mumbling about it the whole time. I was looking at everything and deciding what was taking up space and could it go in the yard sale. I even added my vanity table to the pile. David gave me a small vanity mirrored table with a bench for Christmas a few years ago. I loved it, but mostly because he gave it to me. So, I was secretly hoping it wouldn't sell. It was one of the first things to go.

I spent the day feeling down and sad about my STUFF. As I was getting ready for bed, I walked past my Book of Mormon on my nightstand and felt the need to stop for a second and read. I just opened to the first and was reading about Nephi and his family. I read the part about the Lord telling Lehi to take his family and flee Jerusalem. Two sons complained about the riches and stuff they had to leave behind and the other two sons said they would go and DO what the Lord commanded.

Needless to say I felt a bit humbled and I know in my heart that the material items are in fact material and un-neccesary.

Then, today...I have been catching up on my friends' blogs. including my friends the Johnsons', April and Ryan. We met them in Japan and she did so much for me when we first moved there and David was out on ship. She was an instant friend and I love her dearly. 8 days ago, they had a stillborn baby girl, due to placental abruption.

I'm sorry that my sisters couldn't come visit, and I'm sorry that I had to sell my stuff, but I'm truly sorrowful for April and Ryan...and in their blog post letting all their friends know about NORAH, Ryan wrote, "We are so grateful that our marriage has been sealed for time and all eternity in the temple. Because of this, we know that our family unit will continue beyond this life, and we will be with her again when our short duration on this earth is over"

In the big picture, the only things that matter are not things, but family and love and staying close to our Heavenly Father so that we can return again to live with him and our precious family, whoever that includes...forever.

I love all of you and to those who have listenend to my gripes this week, thanks. I hope I can be a better person through all of this and realize that what matters most is how I treat others and how I serve.

My love is with the Johnsons'. They are truly amazing people.