Okay, this may be dumb, but I thought I would do a variation on Lelly's self-portrait idea and share how the word of the week applies to my life...you can do the same, if you're so inclined. Kind of a verbal self-portrait. Here goes:

Deluge /n./ 1. Yesterday it clouded up (big news here!) and tried its best to rain, but rather than the huge deluge I wanted...it just spit. My disappointment was palpable and wrenching.

Deluge /vt./ 2. My to-do list hit ginormous proportions this week and I was deluged by more obligations than I had hands or time or heart to take care of. I am still waiting for the flood levels to recede.

Deluge /n./ 3. Despite these things, the deluge of blessings that has filled my life and especially filled my heart is immeasurable. On Monday night (right in the middle of some serious ~~freaking~~ stressing out) I was helping my kids practice a song they had to sing at a stake meeting on Thursday night. Things had not gone right all day...and I was feeling a little put-out that heaven was not "clearing my path" to make sure things worked out for E of E on Wednesday. As we sang the lines,

"He is always near me, though I do not see him there
And because he loves me dearly I am in his watchful care"

I had to swallow hard as I remembered how very true they are, and my heart swelled with thanksgiving at His constant grace and kindness towards me. Thank heaven for these kinds of floods.