Some Sunday Thoughts

Brooklyn continues to do well.  She has had some positive signs of late.  For one, she eats very well.  We feel fortunate that this is not an issue as "Brooks" (Katelyn gave her that nickname and it has stuck pretty well) eats both bottles and food from a spoon until all the food is gone. It's fun to see her eat solids as she seems to prefer a technique wherein she coats her tongue with the food and then savors that for a bit.  She also likes to keep the spoon close to her mouth so she knows there is more food coming.  

She has also been doing better moving to her side (which she does with great ease now) and has even made it to her stomach twice, although she can't get her arm out from under her yet.  All of this progression gives us more reason to hope and we are grateful for her sweetness and the joy she brings us.  Here is a quick picture of her taking a nap on her side.

As you can see, she continues to grow!

I recently read a talk that had some wonderful counsel in it.  It was given last October and is titled "I Will Note Fail Thee, Nor Forsake Thee" after Joshua 1:5 in the Old Testament.  The talk was given by Thomas S. Monson and includes the following quotes:

"Brothers and sisters, it may be safely assumed that no person has ever lived entirely free of suffering and sorrow, nor has there ever been a period in human history that did not have its full share of turmoil and misery."

While we have certainly had trials during Brooklyn's life and at other times, I know many others, including in recent days, who have endured some hardship and it is never easy to see those close to us go through difficult times. And yet, despite the fact that we and those we love go through difficult times, there is hope, even in the most difficult of circumstances...here's some more thoughts from President Monson:

"Our Heavenly Father, who gives us so much to delight in, also knows that we learn and grow and become stronger as we face and survive the trials through which we must pass. We know that there are times when we will experience heartbreaking sorrow, when we will grieve, and when we may be tested to our limits. However, such difficulties allow us to change for the better, to rebuild our lives in the way our Heavenly Father teaches us, and to become something different from what we were—better than we were, more understanding than we were, more empathetic than we were, with stronger testimonies than we had before."

"This should be our purpose—to persevere and endure, yes, but also to become more spiritually refined as we make our way through sunshine and sorrow. Were it not for challenges to overcome and problems to solve, we would remain much as we are, with little or no progress toward our goal of eternal life. The poet expressed much the same thought in these words:"

"Good timber does not grow with ease,

The stronger wind, the stronger trees.

The further sky, the greater length.

The more the storm, the more the strength.

By sun and cold, by rain and snow,

In trees and men good timbers grow. - Douglas Malloch, “Good Timber,” in Sterling W. Sill, Making the Most of Yourself (1971), 23."

I have come to know, through my own experience and that of others whom I admire, that trials can lead to strength, including more empathy for others.  These trials will rarely be sought after, but they can always be learned from.  In the end, that is a large part of why we are here - to learn and grow so that we can become what God wants us to be.  

Brooklyn woke up and this is what I got out of her - enjoy!