The Best Part of the Trial

Our attorney told us today that he will be with us all through the termination process, and will help us afterward. He is such a good man, a real answer to many prayers. It took a long time, almost a year to find him, but it was worth it. Only after faithfully following the commandments and waiting on Heavenly Father was this prayer answered.

Facing job loss is a frightening thing. A year ago, I was hysterical thinking about the prospect, but now, after a year of progress spiritually, I am calm as I realize that it will be how I handle the future that will make my life good or bad. I have had years of training in how to budget and find a way to stretch our income. Years of training, learning to take pride in frugality instead of shame in not having what others think we should have. For many years, I have learned to smile at my family and act as if all was perfect, when things were not, but because of my positive attitude, my children did not realize that they were poor in a worldly sense. I remember when they were very small, Martin and I would go to the local farmers market and go through the boxes thrown out because only a few pieces of fruit or vegetables had spots on them. We would cull through the boxes, take home wonderful fresh produce, and never say a word to anyone. I felt it was such a shame to waste that produce for the sake of a few bad items. The rest of the produce in the box was just fine! I learned what day and time the local grocery stores would mark down the meat that was close to it's out date. I would grab the best of the bargains, and take the meat home and freeze it. I saved a fortune this way, but my kids had no clue. All they knew was that on Sunday we would have a big Sunday dinner, each and every week with pot roasts, pork chops and other pricey cuts of meat. Weeknights were plentiful at the dinner table too, and as far as I was concerned, don't ask, don't tell! My kids always took pride in the homemade cookies, cakes, bread and biscuits that I made each day. I made these things homemade because I couldn't afford to by the ready made stuff. I felt such a sense of accomplishment when I had my hands in dough, rolling out biscuits, or making bread because I knew that my children would have what they needed. All of these experiences have prepared me for this time in my life. Although it is just Martin and me in the house, I have the rest of my family to share with and take such joy in doing so. I will be able to continue to do this because I know how to get through hard times.

It is because Martin and I shared the same goal, raising our family to the best of our ability, no matter what the strategy it took, that gives me the confidence to face this unemployment now. For over a year, I have built up my food storage. The strong inspiration to get a food storage came when we had no clue that any of this was looming in our future. I am so grateful that I listened to the spirit, and now, we have a wonderful backup that will help us financially. Sometimes when I get nervous, I go and look at the huge stockpile of items. It is a vertual grocery store in that room. Heavenly Father prepared us long before the trial, and he will keep us going through it. Holidays, birthdays, and other special days may not see the expensive gifts of the past, but they will see gifts! It will be fun to write of the progress we make, and share the blessings that come our way. That is the best part of a trial, the blessings that keep you through it and the blessings that come after.