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I think our family is going through one of those faith-promoting experiences that you read about in the Ensign, but we just haven't made it to our happy ending.

Saturday's open house yielded not one, but two potential buyers. One couple stayed at the house for over an hour. They sat out on the sidewalk, just looking at our house when they finished touring. They pledged to write up an offer Saturday night. Another couple was equally enthusiastic but they had to sell one of their cars to make the down payment. When they heard we were getting an offer, they said they hoped to bid higher because they really wanted the house.

We went to bed feeling very excited on Saturday night.

When we returned from Stake Conference yesterday morning, we had a message from our real estate agent, so we called her back, anxious for the details of our offer. Our happy bubble quickly burst when we found out that the first couple is backing off. The wife's parents talked them out of buying. They won't be making an offer. While we still have some hope for the other couple, they are just beginning the financing process, which could be a complicated one if they don't have money for a down payment.

I marvel at the emotional rollercoaster that is the house-selling business! On Thursday night I was on a high, having enjoyed an extremely calm and peaceful ward temple session. Yesterday I was full of anxious anticipation. And today, the wet and dreary Beaverton weather perfectly mirrors my mood.

However, as I got breakfast together for the boys, a scripture passage popped into my head. I looked up the verses, which are from Mosiah 24 (starting in verse 10). The people of Alma are being persecuted by the wicked king Amulon.

And it came to pass that so great were their afflictions that they began to cry mightily to God. ...

And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts.

And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.

And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

I know that my life certainly isn't as hard as anything the people of Alma -- or the vast majority of the current human population -- had or have to endure. But I still struggle with things in my own little world. I'm just grateful for the gentle reminders that I have a loving Heavenly Father who is mindful of my struggles and that, if I will let him, he will make my burdens light.