I Have Seen His Hand

To some of you this might sound silly, but I truly believe that we were blessed by Heavenly Father last night. Dylan and I were travelling down President George Bush Turnpike on our way to the temple. Dylan was speeding as usual. And of course because its the weekend before News Years there were state police out catching speeders. Yes, we did get pulled over by a very nice State Trooper. We did get a ticket. So your saying how were you blessed? Well, before we left Dylan's store the conversation was, do we take the Corolla or the Suburban. (Dylan hates driving the Corolla) I said Corolla, because we get better gas mileage. Not remembering that the emissions inspection is like eight months expired in the Suburban. So after we got pulled over I was so thankful that we were not in the Suburban. I can't imagine what would have happened, we probably wouldn't have made it to the temple. I know that I was inspired to say that we should take the Corolla, because when we have gone before we went in the Suburban. Just one small way I feel that we were blessed.

note: for those of you thinking that we are terrible people for not having our emissions taken care of. It is a company vehicle and Dylan has taken it in twice to be taken care of and each time he's been told he has to buy new tires before they will pass him. He's been waiting to get the okay to buy new tires.

He Reaches Out Through Others

It is so hard to be away from family during the holidays. One thing that I have realized here is that we have been blessed to live in a ward where most of the people are not Texas natives who are far away from their families too. It's so nice to have friends to share this special season with. He truly blesses us with what we need.

He Reminds Us

As a family we watched the polar express last night. It was so cool to see how excited this movie made Claire. It made me wish I was kid again. Watching her is almost as good as being a kid again. It brings back all the memories and feelings!!! Children are such a blessing.

He Blesses Us With Children

Watching my daughter the last few days has really got me reflecting. Heavenly Father's plan is that we can become like him. As a mother it is the most bittersweet blessing. I am so challenged at times. Things I think I can never get through. Other times there is so much joy. I learn patience, peace, how to laugh, how to lovingly govern, patiently teach, watch, listen, pray, and most of all I learn to have faith. Watching my child grow is such a blessing and brings me so much closer to my Heavenly Father. We have to feel what He has felt toward us. The only way to experience this is through being a parent ourselves. The trials that we go through with our children teach us to become more like him. He has a hand in everything!

He Blesses Us With The Priesthood

We have been trying to get pregnant for the last two years with no success. For the last four months I have been taking fertility medication. Still no success. A week ago I visited with my Doctor and things just weren't making sense to either of us. When I got home I asked my husband for a blessing. I don't know why I hadn't thought of this before. The week flew by and was very busy. Last night, Dylan was finally able to give me a blessing. It was so sweet and reassuring that I have a Heavenly Father who knows me and loves me. I am so blessed to have the priesthood in my home.

He Reaches Out Through Others

Tonight was craft night at my house. If you know me I stress out a week (if you ask my husband it's a month not a week)in advance getting ready for people to come to my house. So, as you can guess today I was a complete maniac.

But, I have the most wonderful visiting teacher in the whole world. She takes my child for me all the time. Sometimes I feel guilty, it's really hard to let other people serve me. Today, was such a blessing because after she took Claire I could take a shower and not worry about Vaseline. I could clean the garage and not worry about watching Claire get run over on her bike. I was able to get many things accomplished without feeling so stressed because I was multitasking.

My visiting teacher is so in tune with the Spirit. She always knows what I need. I am blessed.

He Reaches Out Through Others

Today I went visiting teaching. Our message this month is Becoming an Instrument in the Hands of God through Charity.
The most interesting thing happened with the second sister we visited. This sister has just had a baby less than a month ago and has recently listed her house on the market. Shortly after we arrived she recieved a phone call from a real estate agent wanting to show her house in a few hours. She told us we would have to cut things short so she could clean and get things ready.
By all means her house was not messy, just the usual daily things we all have to deal with. As visiting teachers we saw this as an opportunity to serve her. It was so nice to put our lesson to use rather than sitting on the couch discussing what we should be doing. I truly felt that my companion was inspired in making our appointments.
This sister really needed our help and there was no way she would have called us and asked us to come do her dishes and make beds for her. I was so grateful to be an instrument in His Hands today.

He Reminds Us

Today we were blessed to attend Stake Conference. Many truths were taught and we were reminded once again of many important things. First, that we should cherish our temple attendence. Second, that we should be keeping a record. Third, that we should avoid debt, and prepare our households. President Roberts quoted President Eyring, I loved this quote.
"Live your life so that when you are called, you can go and have no regrets."
This was great to hear, because I feel I have some more preparation to do on my part, but I want more than anything to be ready, when I am called, whatever that call may be.

He Opens Our Eyes and Hearts

Dylan and I were arguing this evening about work and time and all those things spouses argue about. As we were arguing I heard in my mind, "Aren't you glad he's working." It made me pause and be thankful. I am so thankful for my husbands job and the doors it has opened for us. We have been blessed and with the way work has been going, I am grateful we have a job.

He Answers Our Prayers

Claire had what looked like pink eye yesterday. This was very frustrating and concerning to me. Last night we prayed that in the morning her eye would be better. I was worried that we would wake up to goopy, stuck shut eyes. When she got up this morning there was nothing. Our prayers were heard and answered.

He Reaches Out Through Others

As I have pondered what I would write about today, I thought of the people that I came in contact with just today. The person that forgave me, the person that shared a secret with me, the person that gave me a compliment, the person that taught me. The list could go on.

We forget that daily we are touched by others who influence our lives. I am especially grateful for the wonderful sisters of the ward I live in. They have become my other family, while mine is so far away. I have found women who literally fill the shoes of my sisters, my mother, my best friends, and closest confidants. This is not coincidence, this is not chance. These women are in my life for a reason and I am blessed because of them.

Thank You!

Heavenly Father Gives Us What We Need

A friend of mine has been trying to adopt through the foster system. Their family has been specifically praying for many months to be matched with a group of girls they fell in love with. My friend told her children this week that maybe they should not be praying specifically for these girls, but just to be praying to be matched with someone. She stopped by this evening and shared this with me. What faith they have. She also told me that they had just found out that they had been matched to a different group of children, that matched more closely with what they were looking for. All they had to do was just change their prayers in one small way.

This shows me that Heavenly Father knows what we need, and sometimes I think we have to learn how to understand his will and accept it. Once we do this all will fall into place.

This Is What Hit Me Like A Ton Of Bricks

I went to Costco with a girlfriend and our kids today. After the money was spent and the car was loaded I needed to take the cart to the cart return. I checked to make sure Claire was where she was supposed to be, which is holding onto the door handle when we are in the parking lot, she was waiting for me obediently. As I crossed to the other side of the row to return the cart the spirit whispered to me, "She's gonna run after you," I ignored it. I put the cart away and turned around. Just as I turned Claire dashed out in front of an old man driving a huge car. I screamed her name and she continued to run across. Seconds felt like hours, and my heart sunk. Someone else was watching over my child today, and obviously it was not me. The old man was not moving to fast so he had plenty of time to stop. But it was too close for comfort. I thought I was going to puke. Then I thought I was going to kill my kid. Then I was so grateful that her life had been spared. I was pretty shaken up, and cried on the way home. Claire and I talked about it later when I had calmed down. She asked, "Mommy why are you sad," I said, "Because Claire, I love you and I don't want you to die. Mommy was scared." I didn't know how to express to her my love and concern for her. Today someone was watching over me and my child. I am so grateful.

I Have Been Wanting To Do This For Over Two Months

After President Eyring's talk last conference I have felt this need to document daily the small or large ways I have seen the Hand of the Lord in my life. I have just been pondering whether or not this is the most appropriate way to do it. This is may be very personal for me, but I feel this is one of the best ways to document it. I also feel that my experiences will be for the benefit of others.