When it rains, it pours!

I was talking to my mom this week about all the different trials our extended family has been experiencing lately, and she said, "You know Cath, it seems like when it rains, it pours!" It's true. Besides a few bumps in the road, things have been going smoothly for our little family, and then BAM, life happens. Someone crashed into Wade's car, and totaled it. We're just grateful he was safe. But in order for the insurance company to give us any money, he had to give up the car and begin the LONG, grueling search for a new car...that we could actually afford.That same morning, he found out he did NOT get chosen for a career as a Seminary Teacher. They only chose 10 out of 50 to student teach for a year, and from that 10, they'll choose about 4 to teach full time (usually more, but not with the economy how it is). Wade was a little relieved to at least know NOW, rather than a year from now, but I was crushed because I knew how much he wanted it, and what a good seminary teacher he would have been.
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Then my sister-in-law's dad died suddenly, and I was overcome with grief for her and my brother. And everytime I thought about it, I ached inside, wishing I had a better relationship with my own dad.
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Then I was yelled at for 15 minutes by the person who rents our basement apartment.
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Then we received their 30-day notice, and I was stressed out night and day, trying to find new renters, but secretly relieved the mean ones are moving.
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Then our camera broke, and everytime my kids did something cute and funny, I was so disappointed that I couldn't capture it on camera.
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Then we found out we had to custom order the gate for our backyard, since a normal gate size won't fit our driveway. So it will take weeks longer and cost hundreds more.

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Then I started my Summer Camp, which is so fun but also so stressful when I DON'T have the time and energy to plan and prepare adequately with these other things going on.
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And Wade continues the job hunt.
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And with all the stress we've been feeling plus the lack of sleep, of course there's more tension in our marriage.
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And I KNOW the kids have felt the tension, because they've been more ornery and defiant.

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Then there was a turn-around. After my Institute class on Thursday, I decided to choose to be positive because I knew, "This too shall pass." It hit me. And it hit me hard. Heavenly Father gives us trials to strengthen our faith and character. I really have SO MUCH to be grateful for. I've spent a summer in a 3rd world country. Remembering the poverty in Ecuador, alone, is enough to humble me to tears.

That night, Wade and I prayed as a couple as we usually do, but this time, with more sincere gratitude, even for the hard times. After we prayed, he went to the computer to continue searching for a car that would replace the one that got totaled. He found the perfect vehicle and we both knew it! It was a red '92 Toyota Previa, which I would drive, and then he could drive my '97 Honda Accord.

So Friday morning, we bought it for only $2700, and with only 117,000 miles on it, we have hopes it will run for a long time. And guess whose camera we took this picture with? Ours! It finally started working again. Crazy, huh? Then this morning, after showing the apartment to a ga zillion people, we found someone we have such a good feeling about to rent from us. I can't begin to express how thankful I am that everything is working out, but even more importantly, that we decided to be happy, even when it wasn't.