All Is Well...

In an attempt to increase my responsiveness and sensitivity to the spirit I have decided for the next two weeks to only listen to church music in the car. I absolutely LOVE the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, who wouldn't?! The bad news is, it puts Tyce to sleep in the car. Haha. The good news is, it indeed has brought me closer to my Savior. Music has always touched me, there are a few songs that I don't think I'll ever be able to hear without crying (If the Savior Stood Beside Me and I Know That My Redeemer Lives). Today on my way to pick the boys up from preschool I was stressed and grumpy. I had just spent almost half an hour complaining to my sister about my life and I was just feeling sorry for myself. The song that came on was Come Come Ye Saints, one of my favs. Here are the lyrics for those of you who have not heard it...

Come, come, ye Saints, no toil or labor fear; But with joy wend your way.
Though hard to you this journey may appear, Grace shall be as your day.
'Tis better far for us to strive, Our useless cares from us to drive;
Do this and joy your hearts will swell —All is well! All is well!

Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard? 'Tis not so; all is right.
Why should we think to earn a great reward, If we now shun the fight?
Gird up your loins; fresh courage take. Our God will never us forsake;
And soon we'll have this tale to tell —All is well! All is well!

We'll find the place which God for us prepared, Far away in the West.
Where none shall come to hurt or make afraid;There the Saints will be blessed.
We'll make the air with music ring, Shout praises to our God and King;
Above the rest these words we'll tell —All is well! All is well!

And should we die before our journey's through,Happy day! All is well!
We then are free from toil and sorrow, too;With the just we shall dwell!
But if our lives are spared again, To see the Saints their rest obtain;
Oh, how we'll make this chorus swell —All is well! All is well!

I'm sure there's a link online to listen to it, it's such a moving song. This song was written in 1846 when the Mormon saints were migrating from the Midwest to what is now Utah. It of course brought tears to my eyes and I thought...who are you Jenn? Who are you to complain about your life when these pioneers are suffering inflictions I cannot even begin to comprehend, yet they have this attitude of love, gratitude, and optimism.

Yes, money is tight. Yes, I'm chubbier than I'd like to be. Yes, my kids have spilled their milk 7 times in two days. Yes, I rarely get to spend time with my husband. Yes, I miss my family like crazy. Yes, I am lonely. Yes, I am stressed. But you know what? All is well. Because I have my needs met, I am healthy, I have three adorable healthy children, I have an amazing loving adoring husband, I have a wonderful family who does so much for me, I have friends, and I have my Savior. I have his constant love and support. I have my faith and testimony in his gospel. I am so blessed. Truly, all is well.