My wife and I have an arrangement: I take care of the older kids, taking on extra duty, and she sleeps upstairs with the baby. It’s extra work to keep the other kids off her back, but worth it to get a good night’s sleep. Of course, this only works if the mother can stay home with the child.

.

And sleep I did. I think I slept for twelve hours straight, except one child fell out of the bunkbed, but all is well. Of course, I am in various parts of the house depending on my mood.

.

This morning, there was a thick blanket of snow outside.

.

I am serving Tamie breakfast, lunch and dinner in bed; caring to her every whim. The doula came by this morning to check on her, and helped her with the baby whilst she got cleaned up and presentable for the day.

.

The Relief Society had people assigned to bring pre-prepared food every day, so we’re eating handsomely from all that. It’s really something else, how those sisters just quietly take care of business when a baby comes.

.

So, I got all the older kids ready for church, easier every time. But the usual rig-marole to find socks. I cut one of my pairs of dress socks down to size for the three year old. And they are having swordfights with pencils in the car whilst I get my things gathered.

.

Church was awesome as usual. A lot of congratulations. We finished up the book of Ether in the Book of Mormon in Sunday School. I realized that I am rarely present mentally during church. I’m usually making notes about what I’m going to do on Monday and the coming week. Maybe that’s not all bad– at least it helps me keep things straight; get a good perspective..

.

After church, the kids played out in the snow, then I fixed them dinner (all re-heat stuff), and we watched Song of the South. You can find it on Youtube. After that we polished up a few items of prep-work for the next day, whistiling Zipitty Doodah.

.

.

What else? It’s smooth sailing for the time being. It’s real. It’s actual. Everything is satisfactual.

.

If god exists, then why does he let bad things happen to good people? Well, I’m not omniscient, so I can’t answer that completely, but I can tell you what I think. I find the question incredibly annoying, to be frank.

.

The basic problem with the question is that is presumes that things are bad. Sometimes something that seems bad is actually good. For example: I’ve almost gone out of business twice. Each time it taught me something important and forced me to get my act together. Each time I was on my knees, and sometimes on my whole frontside! That was some good spiritual stretching!

.

Now, I don’t think I’ve suffered as badly as some people. So, I can’t say I’d be so positive if I were to really get crushed. I hope I will keep the faith even in the worst of times.

.

The proper judgment of whether something is good or bad also needs a proper perspective. An eternal perspective. When a child comes to the world, there is a sad farewell in the pre-mortal world as the soul comes to this vale of darkness to be tested and tempted. From our side, we welcome the newborn babe with joy and open arms. But when someone dies there is a lively homecoming in the spirit world, as the soul wakes up from this sleep and is taken into a community where he or she feels at home.

.

My kids want to eat candy bars right before bed. I give them a glass of milk instead.

It reminds me of this passage from Matthew 7:

9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

.

I’ve asked for wealth before. Worst possible thing I could have had. Instead I was given some poverty. It prepared me for better things, and more importantly, made me ever so grateful for what I have. The good Lord took away the hole in my head– the voracious hole of covetousness, wanting more and more worldly things. Now I have peace. I recognize the real wealth I have– a sterling wife, four healthy and tender children and a steady job. Thank goodness!

.

What parent, if they could, would spare his child every shred of pain, disappointment, and heartache from this world? I know I wouldn’t. A life of unabated ease and success is the absolute worst thing that could happen to a soul. In fact, I even invent difficulties for my children in the form of chores.

.

When I was 17 my mom came home from the wood mill and informed me that I had a full-time job there for the summer; swing shift. Best thing she ever did for me. It hardened my mind and my body. It was hard work beyond belief. I worked side by side with grizzled old-timer mill-hands hauling planks and working heavy saws. It also opened my eyes: get a good education and a good job!

.

I also think that obedience to the commandments will get rid of about 60-80% of earthly problems. Sometimes the bad things are our own doing. I remember once I ate a whole cannister of ice cream and had a terrible gut-ache. I wailed to my wife, “make the bad man stop!” She looked at me sternly and said, “Shawn, you ARE the bad man!” Re: that my own worst enemy song.

.

The other problem is that the question doesn’t address what God’s motivation might be. Heavenly Father is a parent with a plan; to try and test and prove the soul of each person. To see if they will be obedient. The Almighty will force no one to get closer to Him. He will open the way, but we must do what we can to be led along and follow his Pleasing Road step by step.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

.

PS- For those new to the blog you should hear my usual disclaimer. I make no pretense at special goodness or rightness. I am just doing my best day by day. It is my belief that each person is entitled to connect with God as a good Father, each person is a celestial prince or princess; royalty of the highest and most noble order. To receive light and knowledge as one is ready to accept it.