For the next several days I will be posting about the World Congress of Families. This year it is being held in Sydney, Australia.  Remember how we helped to raise funds for Angela to attend? She is sending daily reports of the presentations, interviews she is able to have, and more. I am excited to share with you what she is experiencing. There are so many around the world - politicians, religious leaders, community organizers, trained professionals, and others - who are dedicated to defending the family. I will try to post each day's events in order so you are not reading them backwards as you scroll down. I have broken up Angela's summaries into several posts so it isn't overwhelming to see a HUGE post. Remember, if you have any questions you would like her to ask when she gives her interviews, leave them in the comments and I will pass them along to her.

Wordfull Wednesday: Transformation

Life. It has a way of changing course, twisting and turning, up and down, and even loop-de-looping.

It's a good thing we are adaptable creatures. Oh yes, we are adaptable, even though sometimes we stubbornly wallow in the mire of self-pity not wanting to accept change. We cannot stop the inevitable from occurring. We can, however, decide how we allow life's course to affect us whether for good or ill. Maybe that's why I like biographies so much, to see how people have adapted to their circumstances.

Reflecting on my own life story has been eye-opening. I often think where I'd be, how I'd be if I hadn't made the choices I did when I did.

Did the Lord know it would be hard for me to leave a career (my plans were to graduate from college, get a masters, obtain an 'education,' than start a career) in order to start a family, raise my children? Is that why HE sent Mr. Ferrero Rocher my way to see if I would choose a better path, one HE knew was best for me?

One little choice.
"Have you ever looked at one of those 16-foot farm gates? When it is opened, it swings very wide. The end at the hinges moves ever so slightly, while out at the perimeter the movement is great. It is the little things upon which life turns that make the big difference in our lives." ~Gordon B. Hinckley~
It has made a HUGE impact on me personally. From that turning point almost 15 years ago I have gone from a somewhat selfish young woman to a more compassionate somewhat selfless woman. Marriage and Motherhood. (You know I love M&M's!) They have transformed me.

Patience - in the Lord's timing, with my children

Love- for my husband, my children, my God

Cheerfulness - in all circumstances

Service - to everyone

Faith - that God does lead my life

Knowledge - to train my mind and hands so I can be an influence for good

Dependability - my husband, children, family and friends know I will be there

Self portrait 06

The deeper changes move slowly. I am still in the process of transformation. I feel much like a pupa in a chrysalis. All its old parts are disintegrated, made to mush, then rearranged into a beautiful new creature. Someday I will be that creature - the woman God sees in me.

Cocoa Signature with Candy 2
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Join us for Wordfull Wednesday! Write a post about a transformation that has occurred in you. Come back and share the link to your post so we can all read it, learn from it.