Every Cloud has a Silver Lining!

Laurisa took this beautiful picture of these heavenly clouds. She has a gift for noticing the beauty around her. It reminds me of a quote by Jeffrey R Holland, "Even if you cannot always see that silver lining on your clouds, God can, for he is the very source of the light you seek." How true this quote is to our family right now. God is the source of light that we seek. As many of you may already know our oldest daughter Joslyn who was married last June came back home to live with us after she discovered her husband was living a double life and was never honest with her when they took their marriage vows in the temple. She discovered that he continued to be unfaithful to her during their marriage. It came as a huge surprise to her. She is in the process of having her marriage annulled and slowly putting the shattered pieces of her life back together. I know that we are here to be tested and overcome trials, although I think it is harder as a parent to see our children suffer and overcome trials, than it is to go through them ourselves. Joslyn is such an amazing example to me and has become a much stronger person through this experience. A quote by Elder Cook that has helped me states, This life is not always easy, nor was it meant to be; it is a time of testing and proving." Our family has realized that it is not the trial but how we handle the trial that tests and proves us. Elder Ronald A Rasband explains, "Our personal journey through life provides us with many special experiences that become building blocks of faith and testimony. These experiences come to us in vastly different ways and at unpredictable times. They can be powerful spiritual events or small enlightening moments. Some experiences will come as serious challenges and heavy trials that test our ability to cope with them. No matter what the experiences may be, each gives us a chance for personal growth, greater wisdom, and in many cases, service to others with more empathy and love. As the Lord stated to the Prophet Joseph Smith in a reassuring way during one of his hardest trials he faced at Liberty Jail, "All these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good." (D & C 122:7)
I love this scripture the Lord gave to Joseph, it helps me realize why we go through trial in our life---to make us a better person. I have realized this as I have seen Joslyn be strengthened in the Lord. Her desire to come through this trial a better person is so apparent in her actions and words. She is a rock and truly an example to our family. It is amazing to me to see how trials can help our family even become stronger and closer. The Lord has blessed us abundantly and we feel of his presence so strongly in all of our lives.