Dealing with Difficulty

This week, the great times we've had as a family and the many happy memories we've made have been on my mind. I also think about the challenges we've had in our family over the past 6 months.

Since the summer, we've moved about 1,000 miles away from our families to a new state, we added a new baby to our family of 6 just 4 short months prior to that move, our oldest son had some concerning health issues where he needed medical testing and we were very concerned for about 2 months (ended well with a diagnosis and medication that is helping him, what a blessing!), I broke my toe around Christmas and basically was unable to get around for 2 weeks, and my husband sprained his ankle right before that! I've had sadnesses to overcome that could be described: "in the quiet heart is hidden sorrow that the eye can’t see."

The list goes on: separations due to my dear husband's work trips, trying to get the house set up alone while caring for 5 children, illnesses that went through the whole family, getting the two oldest boys set up in their new cub scout troop, figuring out homeschooling in a new area, making new friends, etc, etc.

Whew! There really have been some trying times! Emotional roller coasters and late nights ensued. I know many people could claim harder trials (which helps me not feel sorry for myself! I don't have it so bad)....but it leads me to want to talk with others about life's journey of ups and downs and how to deal with them all.

I've been thinking about when life is not easy and when challenges come. How do I deal with them? How do you deal with them?

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