Tender Mercies

 

I like to listen to what I call the Hank and John podcast, also known as Follow Him. I started listening because I missed going to an Institute class, but to be honest, it has helped me solve some issue with my kids and with life skills. I'm not sure I glean enough scriptural information, but I have found it has helped me with other life skills.

So here is today's new goal. I need to write more stories here. I love to write in story form, but I also like to make photo entries. I can do both. 

I actually have a story to tell this week. 

I have had a rough couple of weeks at school. My team has never been nice, but they have been down right nasty lately. I have a habit of praying what is in my heart, not what sounds good. One morning I prayed that we could help those who need us and stay away from those who don't want our help.

On my way home from work, I got a call. It came over the blue-tooth, so I just answered it. It was a teacher from Linden California that I first met when Wes taught with her at the Middle School over 30 years ago. Through the years she taught a few of our kids and I observed  her teaching many times when I needed to observe someone for a class. She was truly a gifted and patient teacher. It is safe to say that she and I had a friendly relationship, as she shared things about her family and she knew my family very well. When she retired six years ago, I sent a card and had all my kids write in it- that was a project. I haven't talked to her in 18 years,

She called to tell me that she had a story to tell me. She knew I would want to hear it and she felt inspired to call me that day.  She went on to tell me about a medical miracle she had experienced. It was a long story. There was no doubt that the hand of God had been involved it this event. 

You know where else the hand of God had been involved in? In that phone call. That day. Sometimes when people are making your life difficult, you wonder if maybe it's you. This phone call was a gift. It was an answer to prayer. My heart was filled with gratitude that God would reach out to me and let me know that He still trust me with His children. With their secrets. With their tender hearts. With their kindness.

As for the rest of the week, well, a few things resolved themselves. Maybe it is January...maybe it is not. 

Stay Warm.....

Birthday Cookies

I didn't post last week. It was my mom's birthday. She loved a Diet Coke and a warm cookie every day.  I was surprised by the support and love from this post on Facebook. I'm am truely grateful for my friends and family that make my days easier to get through.

Betty helped too. She's a joy and a blessing.

 Thanks mom for helping her get here. Her parents are loving being parents. We all feel your work. 

I believe....

Hope

It's the middle of January and I'm looking for hope. 

Hope for a warmer day. 

Hope for a peaceful earth

Hope for peace on Earth.

Hope for troubled children.

Hope for more hearts to turn to Christ. 

I find hope in music. Here is my playlist for Hope.

The Morning Breaks

Earth with her Ten Thousand Flowers 

Let Us All Press On

I am a Child of God 

Savior Redeemer of my Soul

I find joy in nature and even though it is ugly in the Winter, I continue to look for evidence of a loving Heavenly Father. 

Look for the good...

The Struggle is Real

 I must write that the fires in LA California this week have been heartbreaking. 

I really don't like to go to Southern California. Too, too, too many people for me.

However, watching it burn was horrific. Knowing that God could stop those winds was as hard as it gets for me.  When I prayed, I realized that it was out of my hands and I needed to accept the will of the Lord.  

So what can I learn? 

I need to pray for the people whose lives have been devastated.

I need to find an organization to donate money too in addition to the ones I already donate to. 

I need to learn that I can't change Mother Nature or the will of God.

Living in Idaho is hard because people here believe all of California is evil and that they deserve these things because they live in California. 

I know that there are good people everywhere. I honestly believe that there are more good people than bad people. 

I believe that Natural Disasters let us show how much we truly follow the Savior.  Will we help?  Will we pray? Will we feel their pain?

God Bless you All.  

A Week With Betty

I will be really honest here. I was looking forward to spending the week away from home. 

Sometimes I feel extremely taken advantage of here.  I cook, clean, shop, do laundry and work a full time job. I do all this while Wes looks at his phone. 

Holding a sleeping baby is a blessing. Betty on is a very easy baby. She sleeps, eats and cries a little. 

Did I cook?  Yes. Did I clean? Yes. Did I do laundry?  Some. But for the most part, I felt like I was on vacation. 

Teddy loves the baby. He gets very nervous when she cries. 

Callie is a natural and Spencer is doing a great job taking care of both of them. 

Her bumb fits in my hand. 

i came home to an empty fridge and got back to work. 

I start my last semester of school tomorrow. I'm looking forward to getting it behind me. I want to o stay home, I want to bake bread, sew and read a novel.   I love what I do at work, but behavior management is exhausting and I'm tired of pretending that testing matters. 

Counting Blessing 

No extrem cold weather yet...

Sweet babies from heaven...

Safe journeys 

Best of 2024

I like to reflect at the end of the year. To count my blessing. To recall the beautiful things I have seen. . 

Ending the year with a new baby is the best. Last year, when we were in Florida I told Callie that my goal was for her to have a baby.  Although she informed me that I can't make goals for her, she came through. She is a natural at mothering and Spencer is awesome at being a father. 

Having Richard back in Idaho, even for a few weeks, is such a blessing. Having him get out of a toxic relationship is the cherry on top. 

My goal to improve temple atendece has been good. Maybe not easy, but good. 

Celebrating with my family,  all of my family, was a blessing I didn't see coming. It's been good to connect with my sisters.  It's been a journey.

And here are some of the beautiful walks we have enjoyed. 

The Redwoods

Turtles in the surf.

Glacier, just beautiful 

Joshua Tree

And my family. They are crazy and  it takes so much work and money to get them together. It's totally worth it. 

May your new Year be blessed with the love of the Savior.