Trust

I recently called for a blessing by the priesthood to thwart off an infection. It brought me much needed comfort and strength so that I could teach the sisters today. I was told I would have a healing, but to what end was only known to God. As I prepared for today's lesson, I came across this quote by Richard G. Scott:

"Even if you exercise your strongest faith, God will not always reward you immediately according to your desires. Rather, God will respond with what in His eternal plan is best for you. He loves you to a depth and completeness you cannot conceive of in your mortal state. Indeed, were you to know His entire plan, you would never ask for that which is contrary to it even though your feelings tempt you to do so. Sincere faith gives understanding and strength to accept the will of Heavenly Father when it differs from our own ability to comprehend fully his plan as it unfolds a piece at a time."

I do not know what God has in store for me, but I do know that whatever it is, it will be the right thing at the right time. I have seen His hand in my life so many times before...difficult times...but each difficulty has turned around in the end to bless me and the ones I love in the best possible ways. I will trust God's plan for my life.

Favorites

Favorite people, favorite places,
favorite memories of the past...
These are the joys of a lifetime...
these are the things that last.
Henry Van Dyke

Become as a little child

My 3 year old grandson takes such pleasure in the tiny things...like helping me screw the shelves together on a new bookcase, or watching a toy car roll down a long piece of cardboard over and over again. He licks his fingers clean of jam that dripped off his toast, hunts endlessly for our misterious kitten and fights to stay outside, even in the rain. He is so full of life, so delightful to have around. He teaches me how to live each moment, full of excitement and love at the possibilities surrounding us every moment. Thank you. God, for sharing him with me today.

Thanksgiving

Thankgiving is right around the corner. I am holding my six-week old granddaughter. I am so thankful for her new life. This morning I saw many...too many people who were suffering; one lady in her 70's battleing breast cancer; another man with two handicaped children; the face of a tired, worn woman in poverty. Everywhere people are hurting. I realized that my struggles are simple, meant just for me, handcrafted for me by a loving God to help my vision become clearer to the pains and suffering in the world around me. And as God's message sank into my soul, I felt the graditude rushing up from the deepest parts of me. I am so very blessed to have wonderful family members who call me daily; friends who call and come by to spread joy; grandchildren who fast and pray for me; babies I can snuggle with; a husband who does all he can to make me comfortable and a comfortable home filled with plenty.

I talked with my oncologist today. I am hoping for a miracle;to be healed of this terrible disease. She is sure I will die soon. She kindly pointed out to me that either way, I will get what I want.

Take My Hand

I know that God is walking with me and holding my hand. A couple of weeks ago I was teaching the young women a lesson. I had a hard time coming up with a lesson that week. I decided to take half the time and talk about our baptismal covenant…about comforting those that stand in need of comfort, mourning with those that mourn and just being there for others when they need us. I shared a little about cancer with them, and how some people don’t know what to do or say to people with this disease, especially if it is threatening their life. We then talked about how best to serve someone who is very ill. I was worried about the time, as I still had about 10 minutes and not much else to say, when at the perfect moment, we heard a knock at the door. It was a primary class of about 15 seven year olds. They had made me a Halloween decoration where they had cut out little pumpkin ornaments and written on the back of them good wishes. They presented me with the tree and then sang, “I Am a Child of God”. Afterwards, they all gave me a group hug. The feeling in the room was indescribable…the spirit was so intense. We were all in tears. It was one of the sweetest moments of my life.

During the week, one of the ornaments kept falling off the tree. On the back of that ornament, one of those sweet children had written, “I will pray for you.” I felt those prayers each time I picked up the ornament.

A few days ago I answered a phone call from the Relief Society president. She wanted to know if I could have my 16 to 18 year old girls come into RS on the last week in November and I teach the lesson for them and the sisters. I immediately felt the spirit, and knew I was supposed to teach, so I said yes. Then I asked what the lesson was. She had to take a minute to look it up. The lesson was titled “Faith to Move Mountains”. I had just had a blessing the previous night that said I can be healed according to my faith.

In all these incidences, and in countless others, I have felt Heavenly Father putting his arms around me and saying, “I am here, just hang in there, I will not let you down”.