Sunday Six a little early

Dear Blog friends and family,
Here I am doing my Sunday Six on Saturday evening again. Maybe I will make Saturday Six my tradition since I always have little Austin from Sunday eve until Tues afternoon and he would much rather have me paying attention to him instead of the computer....or maybe I will write it Sat. eve and just publish it Sunday....well, we shall see.....

I must admit that I have had more tears than smiles this week. In truth I had contemplated not doing a Sunday Six at all this week. However, I think in times of sorrow it is even more important that we count our blessing...and goodness knows our family has been blessed in many ways.

Last Monday we learned than Erin and Patrick's birth mother had decided to stay in Ohio and give her baby up for adoption at an agency there. Needless to say we are devastated...Especially Erin. Last Monday I wrote the following in a post.

"It is with heavy hearts that I must tell you that Erin's birth mother has decided to stay in Ohio and give up her baby up for adoption there. We have no idea why. This birth mother was 39 and has teenage children. She assured Erin and Patrick that she would not change her mind and that she knew they were meant to be this baby's parents. We all strongly felt the same confirmation when we prayed about it.....but God gave us all free agency... and this birth mom is using hers in a way that is causing Erin , her family and friends great grief. It feels to us like we have lost a child in our family.It seems to me that she could have made this decision before Erin quit teaching, bought a whole nursery full of baby furniture and supplies and fell in love with this little baby girl. My darling daughter is devastated and my heart is breaking for her."

...

I wrote more and ended by saying goodbye and that I felt too sad to blog for a while.

...

Shortly after publishing that post Erin called. She had been crying for hours but said that she had found new strength and hope. I felt stronger too and we decided that I should delete that post and just keep praying and hoping for our miracle.....so that is what we have done.... We don't believe that the baby has been born and given to someone else yet. We know that this is in God's hands and if it is His will that this little girl is to come to our Erin, He can make it happen..... so ...we are hanging on to that knowledge and hope. I am not sure if we are being faithful or foolish.... but we are praying that, God willing, we can still get this baby. Erin

tells about her feeling on her blog today

...
Both John and Patrick are sad about this turn of events but their main concern has been with their heart broken wives. That leads me into my Sunday Six reasons to smile this week.

#1 I am thankful for John John has remained faithful and positive about all of this...he does not doubt. While I have cried all week, he keeps assuring me that all will be well.....that no matter what happens it will be for the best...that God is in control ...and ...Erin and Patrick will be blessed with children when the time is right. Even though it is hard for me, I am trying to listen to the counsel of my husband and be positive like he is. His faith makes me smile.
...
#2 I am thankful for Patrick Erin could not have a sweeter husband.

Since the day they married Patrick has been a tender, loving and kind husband. He adores Erin as she does him. After they got the sad news on Monday, Patrick took off work and took Erin away to a lovely Bed and Breakfast until they went to the BYU game in Logan last night and then home for general conference today. He got her away from the new nursery they had set up for the baby and all of the baby gifts the kids at school had given her on her last day of work. Of course, they are back home now, but at least they had a few days away. In that time Erin found new strength and courage. Thank goodness that she has her Patrick by her side to support her. He keeps assuring Erin that it will all work out o.k. and in her heart she knows that he is right.
...
#4. You bloggers make me smile I have been touched by the love and concern that has been expressed by so many of you. I have even had some brand new blog friends drop by and add support. Your comments and emails have meant so much to me..... I'm sure more than you realize. You are dear to me and your concern makes me smile. At first I felt so down I didn't think I had the energy to even turn on the computer much less blog....but I missed you.... so then I thought I would just read your blogs and your comments to me but not blog myself.....well....that lasted about half a day. Your posts, good examples and comments lifted my spirits and I appreciate you. So thank you very much.

...

#4 General Conference makes me smile

Twice a year we are blessed to get to hear from the general authorities of our church- The leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints. We used to have to attend church to hear the talks but now we can sit in the comfort of our home and watch it on TV.

I was feeling down.... I hate to admit it but I was even feeling a little bit like God had let us down by not answering our prayers in a more positive way. Last night I prayed that conference would lift my spirits.....and that prayer was certainly answered today.

...

I felt like most of the talks today were meant just for me and Erin.

...

L. Tom Perry started out by telling us not to allow the stress and strains of life get the best of us. He said for us to know that "The best is yet to be"

...

Neil Anderson told us that though we don't know everything we know enough. We may not understand why we must go though difficult or hard times.... but we do know that God lives.... that He is our Father who loves us..... and that is enough. Then he made a comment that really touched my heart. He said "Faith is not only a feeling, it is a decision." He told us to make the decision to be faithful no matter what our circumstance and we will be blessed.

...

Pres. Uchtdorf reminded us that faith overcomes fear. Hope overcomes despair. Hope has the power to fill our lives with happiness. Doubt and despair pollute our souls. Hope is trust in God and leads to good works and charity. He asked us to overcome the temptation to lose hope and faith and never let despair overcome our spirit.

...

Joseph Wirthin told about a time when he was really down and his mother said "Come what may and love it" He explained that the way we react to adversity can determine our ultimate happiness. He said that we should understand the principle of compensation.... that the faithful will be compensated.... that every tear of the faithful will be returned a hundred fold with tears of joy

....

These talks were exactly what Erin and I needed to hear and I am thankful... and I will make the decision to be faithful.

...

#5. Loni makes me smile

This is my oldest grand-daughter Lonica. She is nine going on 19. She is a fabulous dancer and has won many first place trophies in dance competitions.... that makes me smile because I know how hard she practices to get to be as good as she is.

However, what really makes me smile about Loni is her sweet spirit, the love she has for others and her testimony. She loves the Lord and has lots of faith.
...

Lonica has a blog that always puts a smile on my face. Since she lives in another state I can't be near her as much as I like but we can keep in touch by blogging. She would love it if some of you visited her blog and left a comment for her.

On my last post she asked me how she could get some comments on her blog. She says that she leaves comments for others but doesn't get many back. So hop over to Lonica's blog and say hi or have your kids do it. I know that she would love to hear from you and will blog you back.
...
Her 12 year old brother, Johnny, also has a nice blog. You could visit him too.

#6 BYU won again John, David, Dathan, Patick and the rest of their families are always smiling when BYU wins and that in turn makes me smile.... even through my tears last night.

I know that this is a really long post.....but I want you to know that I do have much to smile about. Erin and I are still really hoping and praying that she will get this baby.... but if it is not to be we both will make the decision to be faithful and have hope.

Thanks once again for your support and prayers. May you all have a good week ahead.

Love, Grammy Lura