For the last seven weeks, I have mentioned the power of the priesthood in my life.  I have seen the miracles that have come to pass via the priesthood.  Yesterday was another shining example of that.  I love that the priesthood is the literal authority to act in the name of God.  So, how did the priesthood enter our home?

I'm not sure how long the daily blog posts will last.  There doesn't seem to be as much to report on each day.  As we settle back to a new normal, we are finding that things aren't the same, but they are okay.

I spent another full day at work today.  I did decide to come home for lunch.  I really think that helped Marty.  It gave him something to look forward to.  It also gave something for me to look forward to.  Who am I kidding, I came home as much for me and I did for him.  Even if it was just for a roast beef sandwich, I had great company :)

Addyson got out of school 1/2 hour early today.  I forgot to tell Marty she was going to be home early.  Marty was downstairs taking a nap when she came in.  He heard the door open and it scared him to death.  He sat downstairs shaking for several minutes, even after he realized it was her.  He was convinced someone had broken in.  Note to self, do not surprise Marty.  He doesn't like surprises.

I am so grateful that we still have meals brought in 2 days a week.  I often feel like I am barely hanging on as it is.  I think my kids would survive on cold cereal and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches if it weren't for the awesome friends we have.  Tonight's dinner of chili and cornbread was perfect on this rainy dark day. 

I don't think I will ever be able to thank everyone that has fed us, prayed for us, fasted for us, called us, sent us cards, visited us, thought about us or offered other forms of awesome service.  I pray the Lord will bless them 100 fold for their acts of kindness.

Matthew 25:40

Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Yesterday was my first full day back at work.  I didn't even come home during lunch because I needed to run an errand for the high school choral program.  Marty was home alone all day.

We exchanged multiple emails and texts through the day.  I called him at lunch time to check on him.  Around 1, I got a feeling that something was wrong, but I wasn't in a location to call him.  I sent him an email to check on him.  He said he was fine.  I pushed a little harder, he said he was fine, but just resting.

When I came home from work, Marty still seemed a little off.  It was hard to put my finger on it, but he was just off.  I helped the girls make heart shaped cinnamon french toast.  (really wish I'd taken pictures, because they were so cute).  Marty didn't say two words through dinner.  All evening, speaking was incredibly difficult.  He would stutter and stop mid sentence and not finish.  Everything he did was strained.

As we were laying in bed last night, he rolled over, grabbed my hand and told me I was right when I called and asked him what was wrong.  Something was wrong, but he didn't want me to worry about him.  He was having a panic attack.  I asked him what he was worried about.  He said he didn't know if he could handle something bad if it happened.  I assured him nothing bad was going to happen.  He would be able to handle anything that happened.  I wish there was more I could do for him.

I wouldn't leave him if I thought he wouldn't be okay.  I have full confidence in him.  I have seen him react to situations before.  Because he doesn't have memory of handling things before, he doesn't have the confidence that he can in the future.  However, it's almost like instinct when things do happen.  For example, Jessica started the van yesterday morning without opening the garage door.  Marty instantly knew that the garage door needed to be open.  He said something to her before I even realized she hadn't opened it.  

I will continue to pray that the Comforter will continue to dwell in our home.  I will pray that Marty will feel His arms wrapped around him.

D&C 98:1

 1 Verily I say unto you my friends, fear not, let your hearts be comforted; yea, rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks; 

This will be a short post, but we had a busy weekend.

We woke up Friday morning at 3:30 and left for Manhattan Kansas.  We didn't actually get on the road until 5:30, but at least Marty and I were awake at 3:30.  Kids were up by 4 but they had to be beautiful for the car ride.

Addyson was able to sit in on a choir rehearsal at Kansas State which started at 12:30 (hence the early up time).  She was very impressed with the talent of the choir.  The professors barely acknowledged her, but the students were much more receptive.  After rehearsal she spent a few hours on campus, including a complete campus tour.  This campus is exactly opposite of Missouri state.  Large campus in a small town. 

It was frigid cold in Manhattan.  The wind whipped most of the day leaving wind chills in the negatives.  Being outside so much probably exacerbated an already underlying issue as Addyson woke up Saturday morning with no voice whatsoever.  She was to audition for admission into KSU's music program at 9:40.  I immediately got her water and throat lozenges to try to revive what voice we could.  Marty was able to give her a priesthood blessing.  Anyone that heard that blessing would have no idea that Marty has difficulty speaking.  There wasn't a single stutter or hesitance in that blessing.  It was beautiful. 

By the time Addyson got to auditions, her voice was back, but weak.  She warmed up for about 15 minutes but was afraid her voice wouldn't tolerate more.  I insisted on her continuing to drink.  Rehearsals were short but she said her feedback was quite positiver.  I suppose we'll know more in the coming months as their decisions arrive in the form of $$.

Marty's niece is married to a professor at KSU.  That meant we had instant family to visit with.  Marty's sister came over from Denver as well.  we had a nice mini family reunion.  It was a very enjoyable stay.  It is comforting to know that if Addyson does choose to go to KSU, she'll be well taken care of.

We drove home Sunday afternoon.  About an hour into the trip my entire body just ached.  I couldn't regulate my body temperature at all.  I assumed it was just from traveling in the car.  Marty doesn't travel well at all.  He is extremely nervous and convinced that every car around us is going to hit us.  On the way to Kansas Marty actually punctured the stress ball that Roberta's granddaughter Duffy gave him.  He was squeezing it so hard.  Because of Marty's nervousness I was super tense and tried so hard to not make any sudden movements or have to stopped suddenly.  By the time we got home I felt like I'd been hit by a train.  Again, I just assumed it was from the traveling.

By this morning, it was quite apparent that wasn't the case.  Not only had I been hit by a train, but it came back and hit me again.  My entire body ached, my stomach was churning.  I slept most of the day away.

We also woke up this morning to a couple of inches of snow.  Arkansas is a little reactionary to inclement weather and schools were cancelled.  This meant the kids were home all day too.  Not my first choice when I'm not feeling well, but overall it was okay.  There actually cleaned the house, made cookies, candied popcorn and rolls.  I pulled some soup from the freezer  for dinner and we were set. 

After sleeping most of the day, I am feeling much better this evening.  I am going to call it an early night and try to get a good night's sleep.  This week we will try to work full days in the office. 

We'll see how well Marty does at home during the day by himself.  There are quite a few friends that have offered to drop in and see him. 

Marty's sister cautioned him to not rush things.  She reminded us of the resolution we had made last week.  we are going to do less.  Big sister give wise advise.  Now that college visits are complete (and decisions have been made, but that's not my place to announce) we really can do less.  Life will become less hectic in the Christoffersen home.  We will do less so we can do more . . . eventually.

Mosiah 4:27

27 And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order.