Lilies

Recently, I've been thinking a lot about money. As David is coming up to graduation and preparing to start his life as a working man thoughts of all the things we've done without over the last three years (and can soon afford) keeps nagging at me. Over the last month it's become almost ridiculous how often we say, "When we have money we'll buy (fill in the blank)."

Today I was thinking about leaving our lives of poverty and I kind of felt sad about moving on from this phase in our lives. Our family of three has survived each year of law school on school loans for one person, for 9 months. The interesting thing is that I have never felt happier than I have living as a dirt poor student's wife in Oklahoma. There is something empowering about living life simply. You aren't distracted by the unessential that often works as a diversion from eternal priorities. I feel more grounded, closer to the Lord and somehow freer. I have found contentment in plainness and rejuvenation in the quieted. I've come back repeatedly to the 'Lilies of the Field' doctrine and found so much blessing and gratitude in the Lord's tender mercies.

"Consider the lilies of the field how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin... Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, even so will he clothe you, if ye are not of little faith (3 Nephi 13:28-30)."

Growing up and moving on is always bittersweet for me. I hope that as we enter this new chapter in our lives that I can hold onto the simple joys we've experienced here in Tulsa. As much as we harp on Oklahoma it is here that I've grown into myself. It is here that I've found joy.