As we say goodbye to 2014, I have mixed emotions. So much has happened during this year that I will always remember. There are also moments I hope to erase from my memory.
This year brought changes ... Big changes.
We adjusted to our new home which we love. We said goodbe to my sweet sister and her family as they moved over an hour away to Glendale. It broke my heart to watch her pack her home and take such a huge piece of my heart and life with her. I have missed her and her sweet family more than I can express in words. We welcomed my dear cousin Lisa and her family to our ward, neighborhood and a new home only 7 houses down from us. We have loved having them live so close. Chad has become an extension of our family. We love him like he is our own. He has become a major help to me and Thomas, an older brother to Hayden and a joy to have in our home. We have loved our puppy Max and welcomed an other addition, sweet little Maya, to our home. She is 4 pounds of fiesty fun. She has personality and has brought much joy to our lives.
I have endured many more illnesses and a couple jaw surgeries removing teeth, jaw bone, infections, biofilm and more. I have battled several bouts of pneumonia and bronchitis. I faced many moments of brushing death. I faced a scary allergic reaction to antibiotics that made us realize the power of the priesthood and the miracles of our Savior. I've battled to walk and survive. I have also received much help and intervention from my Savior.
We were introduced to Q96 and Q Sciences. The company and product has changed our lives. The product has began to change both Hayden and my health for the better. It's a vitamin/mineral complex formulated for neurological health and it is changing our lives for the better. We have also had brain mapping and started neurofeedback with Hayden. We are in awe of the changes and positive advancements he has seen. He has jumped four years in reading and has overcome so much. He is healthy and happy.
I began homeschooling Hayden in March and Hayden and I have enjoyed it so much. Hayden has improved and I have absolutely loved the time with him. He is learning at such a quick pace. I love watching how he conquers issues and problems. He has loved doing an online Minecraft homeschooling class. He has received 2 high school credit for it and has learned so much. Most of all, I love the time it gives us to dive into subjects and really gain a deeper understanding. None is as important to me as the knowledge and greater understanding we have both gained from studying the scriptures and learning more about our Savior.
We were able to spend some quality family time together. In May we went to Oak Creek a anyone with the Davis family. We loved hanging out and playing games and soaking in the beautiful weather and nature. In January we went with Suzi to Tanque Verde Ranch. The boys were able to hike, explore, fish and we all played games and read. It was a relaxing way to start the year.
The beach was a wonderful time, as always. Hayden has never had more fun and he hung out with his cousins the entire time. Two weeks on the beach was absolutely heavenly. I was so happy to be able to spend some quality time on the beach with my family. It was a time we will always cherish.
We continued to downsize, sell items, sold our cars and were able to get a new one to us. We have learned how little is actually needed to live. We have learned the refiner's fire is real and sometimes we are asked to give and continue to sacrifice and see if we will remain true to our Savior and His gospel. We have tried and given our all to see the good, search for His blessings and continue to be faithful in all things.
Hayden had the incredible opportunity to be apart of the Gilbert Temple Cultural Celebration and dance and sing for our beloved prophet. It rained and poured. Hayden learned that the Savior helps us and thru the hard times and carries us. He doesn't stop the rain or calm the storms but he strengthens His child and eases our burdens. He felt the spirit as he sang for the prophet. He gained a testimony of the prophet and a greater testimony of our Savior and the power and help of the Holy Ghost. And how The Lord answers our prayers always but not always in the ways we expect.
Hayden had a great year filled with amazing opportunities. One of his highlights was interviewing Jamie Heinman of Mythbusters. His favorite show ever and he scored two press passes and a 40 minute interview with him. Definitely a once in a lifetime and dream come true. He has loved interning at SCC journalism department. He was able to go on several scout campouts, improved in so many areas, he is now a teenager and loving the greater independence it brings. He still loves his video games and electronics. He loves his puppies and plays with them every day. He loves Chad, his hero, living a few doors down and continues to try to help others, always. He has learned to take on greater responsibility at home and is working on mission prep in all areas, including a greater understanding of the gospel, how to teach it, laundry and cleaning skills and cooking skills.
Thomas continues to work at CBIZ at Edward Jones and loves it he is great at his job and continues to receive glowing reviews. He is well loved at work as well at home and wherever he goes. He works as the Membership clerk at church and does missionary work because he loves it.
Thomas and I were blessed to work with a family who became interested in the gospel. We loved helping them gain an understanding of eternal truths and come to understand that they are children of God. We closed being at their baptisms and seeing them accept Christ on their lives. We also loved being apart of the sealing of the Weeks children to them and loved being in the temple with them. It was a cherished time for us.
We are so grateful for all we learned. We know we walked with angels, both heavenly and earthly during 2014. We were not alone. Our Savior placed many in our path to help us and bless us. We are so grateful for His love. He is so kind and merciful. He loves us and we know we are known by Him. That knowledge provides us with peace to walk the hard and scary paths of life. We know that what we do here will affect the eternities. Trials will continue to come. We will continue to face struggles and need to overcome hardships as we walk the long climb upwards and home to our Father in Heaven. We also know that like Peter, when we are asked to walk on water, we will be given the help we need to accomplish the tasks given us. He will not wait until we are drowning to help us up but will immediately stretch forth His hand as we begin to sink. We have felt His merciful power and love. We know He lives. We know He loves each of us. We have come to learn that with His help, we can accomplish whatever He asks of us.
We are ready to start 2015, armed with the truths and strengths we gained in 2014. We know whatever rocky paths lie ahead, whatever storms we must face and whatever the refiner's fire holds in store, our Savior will walk the path with us. He will be there to help us and send His angels to build us up, strengthen us and help us to walk the path required. He will never leave us nor abandon us. For that knowledge, for that gift of understanding, for His constant care and love, we are eternally grateful. We add our witness and testimony to so many others that have walked this path before us. He lives.
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