A beautiful chaos

I don't know how else to describe this month of June other than it's been a beautiful chaos. I knew when I started classes in January that June would be a bit busier than usual. Originally I was supposed to take four week-long classes commuting to Weber State every day (a 50 minute drive).

Then we threw in a wedding.

And moving a daughter into her married apartment.

And getting wedding invitations mailed out.

And a son receiving the Melchezedek priesthood

and patiently waiting for mission call (that we thought we'd be opening at the wedding breakfast but instead came home to find it in the mail).

And a birthday for an 8-year-old boy

that included a birthday party because that's been the tradition when the kids turn 8

and learning to ride a bike.

And a first cub scout camp.

And an end-of-season tennis banquet honoring the seniors.

And a sealing for a sister.

And several own endowment sessions at the temple

a week a part.

And a 21st wedding anniversary.

And inheriting a van full of 2nd grade stuff that really just needs most of it thrown away.

And wisdom teeth pulled for another child.

And a braces consultation for yet another.

Add to all of that trying to keep a yard looking immaculate for a wedding open house which entails weeding and pruning and planting and watering.

And try to get some homework done in there somewhere like

Creating a math lesson plan.

Creating a grammar lesson plan.

Integrating art into those lesson plans.

Student interviews.

Reflective journal.

A literacy project (labeling and leveling all my classroom books).

A math final.

And reading . . . lots of it.

Oh and don't forget all the other "mom" stuff like laundry and bills and grocery shopping and cleaning and meals. Actually Ash has stepped up nicely to take care of what she can with making dinner and keeping on top of laundry.

The Lord has given me many tender mercies throughout this month. One class canceled. Another had very little homework. The other two classes allowed me to stay in Tooele rather than commute to Weber County every day. Classes were only scheduled through Thursday rather than Friday. Some classes were online so I finished assignments as my own pace. The weather has been very temperate with no high temperatures helping me keep plants alive and green.

The tender mercy of having two children endowed in a temple, receiving some of God's greatest blessings for faithful obedience, made my heart extremely full the day Erik went to the temple. Kiersten was able to be there and Ash tagged along to do baptisms. I testify the priesthood blessings of the temple are very real. God does watch over his children. Everything we do in the temple is meant to increase our faith in Jesus Christ and where we go to feel God's love he has for his children. Four temples in three weeks!