Jacob's Africa trip ~ Mary's Meals

Before Jacob left Zimbabwe, on his way to the DRC, he had the opportunity to visit a school that is run by Mary's Meals—the organization that he/we have had the privilege of being a part of for more than a decade. Currently, Jacob serves on the International Board of Directors and also as the Board Chair of the Mary's Meals USA Board. 

This organization is deeply influential in our family's life. And these beautiful little loves all over the world, being served a meal each day in their place of education—well, they have our heart. It was extremely sweet for Jacob to spend some time with these little darlings and those that love and serve them on a daily basis. 

Just feet away from this school and these photos, the poverty that exists is unimaginable by many. But even that can't dull the light and goodness of these beautiful children. We are so honored to be associated with this amazing non-profit, who emulates what it truly means to "love thy neighbor as thyself." And I'm so thankful to be married to a man that also takes that injunction to heart, every single day.

Jacob's Africa trip ~ Zimbabwe

Jacob arrived home, a few days ago, from a two and a half week trip to Africa. He was hired by the LDS church to evaluate one of their initiatives that helps to identify and bring aid to children that are suffering from malnourishment. 

To be honest, the trip, both before, during and after, was quite significant and sacred for him—and for me. Jacob does an incredible amount of good in the world, it is the career he has chosen—helping organizations that are trying to impact the world and make it a better place, be able to do that more effectively and efficiently. And he's remarkably amazing at it. He's had so many beautiful and deeply profound experiences throughout the years. And this time in Africa would be included in that group.

It feels like most of what he felt, much of which we talked about together, needs to stay in our hearts. But it was also impactful and beautiful and difficult enough, that I want it to be here, where we keep a record of our family history.

So here are some of his photos from Zimbabwe. 

God loves His children in general, but oh how He loves His children in Africa. Even alongside great struggle that is so readily apparently. I have experienced that love firsthand and it changed me. Jacob experienced it again, the last many days, and it changed him.

We are so blessed that God allows us opportunities to serve His children. And to, in some small way, try to help others feel how much God loves them. Because He does. More than we can ever imagine.

Yesterday

 

Nate's day

Happy Birthday to our newest and most darling teenager Nate! This boy came to earth with a purity and 
goodness that has never diminished. He chooses kindness and love over everything else, always. Never
mention his incredible brain, his athletic talents, his mature spirit, and how, even at a young age, he never
stops striving to be better and to improve himself. He loves Jesus deeply and has the sweetest relationship
with his Heavenly Father. When he prays, we all listen—and feel like better humans afterwards. I don’t know
that there is anyone in my life who is a more encouraging cheerleader than Nate and the strong impression
  at his birth, to make sure he was named after his sweet Grandma Cammy, was exactly as it should be.
I truly can’t get over God allowing me the honor of being Nate’s mom. I’ll never stop being grateful.

Happiest Birthday Nathan Grant! We are so thankful we get your incredible self
in our family and love you so crazy much. 

Hurting and hopeful

I had no intention of going to the temple again today, after just being there yesterday.
But when I woke up, my heart knew that is where I needed to be.

First, to remember what matters and what doesn’t. Just yesterday I knew this,
but I needed the reminder again. Less than 24 hours later.

And second, to do for those in heaven, what feels like I can’t do for many on earth. To help them feel God‘s love
and link them to each other and to Him for all of eternity. It feels extraordinarily difficult  to me today to think that
the most vulnerable and marginalized, will very likely face even more abuse and feel even more insignificant
in the near and far future. My heart tells me they are aching with feelings of diminished worth and deep worry
 today, because of the actions of others. I feel gutted by that knowledge. I needed to sit in the temple and
pray to my God for them. And shed my own tears, alongside their's and God's. 

And also, to feel peace that does not come from this world. I felt desperate for it. This is not my home.
 And while mortality matters so deeply to me, because of the unreal privilege I have been given to be
 a wife and mother, as well as a fellow human alongside so many who struggle through mortality,
I’m only a visitor here. It’s not where I belong and it won’t be where I ultimately end up.
And the temple brings that truth to my heart and soul deeper than any other place on earth.

I needed that today. I needed God today. And He showed up. He always does. And gave me
 very specific instructions of what He needs from me. And asked me to trust Him with the rest.

And I will. With all of my broken, imperfect, hurting, grateful, mortal heart.
He and my Savior have earned that trust. I’ll never stop being thankful for Them.

Oh how I love Them. 

Now onward and forward. With simultaneous hope and sorrow in my heart. I worship a God that allows
me to feel both and to still keep going and to keep trying. Bringing it all to Him. Where it belongs. 

Where I belong.

Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow. Forever. 

This amazing boy

This incredible boy. Oh I love him so much.

Very early this morning, he and I headed to an awards ceremony where he was given the Citizen Leadership Award by one of his teachers. One of only four 7th graders to receive it, as well as one of only twelve students in the entire school. Apparently you can only receive this award once during your three years in junior high.

And what Mr. Alder, a truly tremendous teacher and one of our favorite people, said about him, alongside the incredibly kind entries of several of Nate’s other teachers and his school counselor, just did something to my heart. They gave us a copy of what was said and I will treasure it forever.

I’m so thankful each of our children work hard to be good students and good employees and excel in life in general, I’ll never stop being grateful for that and for them. But the fact that they are just really kind and giving and loving humans, who care so much about others, means more than anything else they could ever choose to be. And our Nate has those particular gifts in spades. He was born that way and it has never lessened in the almost thirteen years he’s been on earth.

Being his mom is an absolute privilege and when others recognize just how beautifully good and kind he is, it melts my heart.

Goodness, it was a sweet morning with our amazing boy and his absolutely tremendous heart. I’m so blessed.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from our darling Rose Potter (a character from the Harry Potter
spinoff book Grace and her friend wrote)!

This girl is such a sweetheart. She was so happy and grateful for her costume this morning,
it kind of melted my no-thanks-to-Halloween heart. Kind of.

Pumpkin contests and darling girls

Nothing like this little darling bursting in the door after school today, to share that she won
1st place in the school pumpkin contest for the 4th and 5th grade. As well as being the overall winner
 for the entire school. It appears the elementary kids loved her Mad-Eye Moody pumpkin quite a bit—
and I’d have to agree with them. It was a really good day for our sweet Gracie girl.

Another Harvest dance

Our darling Benjamin, with his beautiful date to Harvest, Alyssa. They went as Marty and Doc Brown, from
Back to the Future, and​ they sure did it well, in this mother’s humble opinion. Just grateful for our boy and his
goodness and light and how he enjoys life and makes everything happier for those around him. He’s the best.

Just a photo...

...I took while out on an errand last night.

Lake Powell ~ Exploring edition

Exploring Antelope Canyon (which we accessed from the lake when Jacob took us down a beautiful, somewhat
hidden channel) was the highlight of this year's trip for me for sure. I loved it a lot. And watching our kids have
fun together during the long hike was my favorite. I'm grateful for this vacation. And mostly, I'm thankful
for these darlings I get to call mine. There really never was a girl as blessed as I am. I'm sure of it.