Party Boy!

Tonight we went to a party for David and Gale, my Irish twin cousins. We had a really good time, and ate like pigs. Papa, (martin) couldn't resist hamming it up with some Mardi Gras glasses and I snapped him unawares! Life is good. There were twenty-two of us there, and we were at the Golden Corral. At this particular restaurant, they were serving cotton candy to the children, and I am happy to say that none of the kids came home with me as most of them ate 3 or more cotton candy cones! My family so so sweet to me, because they realize that my dietary restrictions are pretty severe, and they chose Golden Corral because I can enjoy myself there. Little Joe was doing great, enjoying being passed from family member to family member, but then the waiters came over and began to clap loudly to get everyone's attention. It scared him to death, and he began to cry. No one noticed it but Becky and I, and everyone began to clap and loudly sing a lusty rendition of Happy Birthday. By then, he was all but hysterical, and his daddy took him away to calm down.

I took advantage of the chocolate fountain. The strawberries were so big and red, and really sweet, and I dipped them in the chocolate fountain, only 3 because I didn't want to be a pig. After sitting down and eating them, I realized my mistake. It was really hard to get out of my seat, as I was sitting in the back of the table in the middle of everyone, and I had to go behind people, sucking in my gut and trying to act like I could gracefully glide behind them to get out. I could not! (gracefully at least). Once of that was enough for me, and even chocolate strawberries could not get me to try that again. So, I only got 3, but next time I am going to be a pig!

Martin had lots of fun, and it is so good to see him clowning around again. We are not upset about the looming job termination. I don't know how we are going to get by, but we will. Heavenly Father can do anything. I always go back to the memory of when Indiana Jones, (part 3) was trying to get to the Holy Grail. He found himself on the edge of a very deep crevice, with no way to get to the other side where the Holy Grail was kept. Part of the clue to discover the Grail was that he should "step out in faith". The problem was that there was no where to step, but my hero Indie, closed his eyes and stepped out into thin air. It seemed for sure that he was doomed as when he stepped out, his foot went down about a foot, and then- stopped! He was on a stone bridge that because of an optical illusion, could not be seen. Indie tossed dirt across the bridge to see his way, and found himself on the other side of the bridge where he eventually found the Grail.

That is how I feel about this situation. I am stepping out in faith. I can't see the bridge, and for all I know, there is a huge area of nothing-ness that will swallow me up. But I know that Heavenly Father can see the bridge, and not only that, he will guide Martin and I across. The Holy Grail for us is to know and realize the security in life that only Heavenly Father can provide. It is there- hidden in the future, and we don't know how or how long it will be until we get there. In the meantime, it is how we handle the situation that will be the measure of our success. It is taking one day at a time, enjoying friends and family, love, happiness and challenges that will lead us across the invisible bridge. Because Martin's surgery has given us time, we can do these things together. Tonight is just one example of the incredibly beautiful life that we share. The future will come. My faith is that we can meet the future with courage and confidence. A friend once told me, " If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it". Yes, we are going to lose Martin's job, but I can't wait to see what is on the other side of that door!