Category: Joy

Saving Money

Typically, the moment my kids go back to school after summer break, I am giddy to frequent the stores as my kids do not enjoy window-shopping nearly, or at all, as much as I do. This year, however, has been different for me. For the past three weeks since my kids have been in school, I have spent my time at home indoors which is very unusual for me as I enjoy very much being out and about, moving and walking and I am not so fond of the silence in my home when every one is away. I have been organizing and tidying various rooms throughout my home trying to make a dent in the clutter while listening to podcasts and spending time on my blog. As I have taken up this activity, which I thoroughly enjoy and is free, I’ve noticed that I am saving money that I otherwise would be spending. It is awesome.

As of late, I have spent more energy and time thinking about my blog as I’ve gone about cleaning up my home than expending energy and thought into what I want to purchase next and buy for my home or for myself. I want to be more of a saver than a spender, however, guaranteed when I’m out and about and I find something I love at a reasonable price, I buy it.

Not only have I saved money from not going window-shopping, particularly for clothes and accessorizing my home, but I have also saved on groceries. I enjoy a concept and principle that I came across from Jordan Page through Funcheaporfree.com. During the month of September, I have been implementing her concept to stay within a $25-$50 food budget each week and only purchase fresh foods that will add to what is already in my home pantry, cupboards, fridge, and freezer. I’m not sure how best to explain it so check out her blog. Doing this has been fun. I tried it out a few months back and saved hundreds of dollars.

Recently, while my kids and I stopped briefly at the grocery store to get a few items including milk, eggs, and bananas on our way home from school, one of them asked about getting something they saw and liked.  Although the amount was very little, I shared that if they wanted to buy it they could, but that I would not be buying it, reminding them that right now I’m trying to save money. And, frankly on a side note, as I see all that we have accumulated over the years and I want to declutter, I think to myself, “we do not need more stuff”.  Then I hear, but mom you buy this and that for yourself (sound familiar) to which I responded that it has been at least 3 weeks since I have been shopping for those things. Not only am I teaching them to save money and not spend for something that is not a need, I am also showing by example that I can restrain myself from making those purchases too.

As I have desired to save money, I am grateful for the redirection and joy I have experienced the past 3 weeks as windows have opened up new paths for me to spend my time in ways that have been more meaningful and purposeful.

What ways have you found to save money? What is something you love that you do or have done that is productive, keeps you active, is free, and diverts you away from spending money.

tendermercym♥ments~jld

“How have you noticed Heavenly Father’s awareness and mindfulness of you today?”

Good Days

I have good and bad days with my sensitive skin. It is up and down. It is a struggle. Right now I am in a good place. It could all change in a couple hours, tomorrow, or the next.

As I woke up feeling great, I was super happy. And then, a thought moved me away from my happiness. I became sad knowing that this experience was temporary and the challenging times would return. Inside, my upbeat demeanor and disposition dropped and my smile left. I began to lose excitement and enthusiasm and moved to feeling sorrow. But then, I heard a whispering of the Spirit share with me to embrace the joy of today for whatever length of time it will continue, hang onto to it, hold it tight, embrace it and rejoice. And, that I did.

Rather than dwell on the unpleasant days that I know will certainly come and are around the corner, I have chosen to embrace all that is well in my world. I am soaking it up, taking it in, appreciating and loving the good while it lasts. I am physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually well.

If I focus and dwell on the discomfort and irritations that will set in again, then I lose the goodness of what’s in front of me right now. Good days come and go. They unfortunately do not stay. When the bad days are here, it’s hard to imagine when there will be another good day again so on the good days, even if for only a few hours, I’m grateful for the message, the tender mercy, to take in what is joyful, embrace it, and hold on to it for as long as I can.

What message or impression have you received that shifted you away from a negative mindset to a positive one?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

“How have you noticed Heavenly Father’s awareness and mindfulness of you today?”

Multipurpose Sleds

What do you do when it rains?

Everywhere I have lived, other than where we are currently, it has snowed in the winter time. Our family enjoyed sledding, making igloos, snow days, and even shoveling snow. Oh, the fun we had. I liked these activities except for the cold that came with it. When we moved away from the snow and cold, we brought with us our sleds in hopes that maybe we would get snow and still be able to use them. Unfortunately, the opportunity for snow here is very slim. Nonetheless, we have continued to hang onto our sleds and store them on a shelf in our garage.

One year around Easter, we took a trip out West and as we traveled through the mountains, we anticipated snow and we’re looking forward to the possibility of going sledding. Although we brought the sleds with us, the snow was much higher up in the mountains, further away from where we were down in the valley. Our desires to once again, one day, use our sleds to go sledding has remained and we have not yet wanted to get rid of them. After all, snow sleds sold in warm climates is probably not likely.

After 6 years of living away from snow, this past winter it snowed. I was ecstatic! We got snow! It was glorious and our children soaked up the hours of fun while it lasted which included a snow day. My kids rolled up as much of the snow they could in our backyard to build a snowman and built up a hill that they could sled down. Other than that rare occasion, they have come to make use of their sleds in another way.

Although for the most part we do not get more than a dusting of snow/frost here and there, we do on occasion get lots of rain. With the rain and relative warm temperatures, our children have enjoyed going outside and slip sliding through the pool of water that flows through our backyard and sliding with their sleds in the street alongside the curb and sidewalk in front of our house as the water gushes downhill.

When we have torrential downpours from time to time, they will not only get out their sleds, but also their boogie boards. They have a great time. Recently, they have included their skateboards as they lie stomach side down, helmet on their head, arms outstretched, legs elongated behind them and ride as the running water pulls them down the street.

When it rains a lot, this has become a favorite past time for them. The joy this activity has been for my children has been exciting to watch and record. They have made the most of what could be a gloomy, boring day and turned it into fun memories and a creative way to use the sleds we no longer use in the snow but as a means to go sledding in the rain. I love the ingenious ideas my kids come up with to have fun being kids.

When have you taken an object intended for one purpose and have thoroughly enjoyed its use in another way too?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

“How have you noticed Heavenly Father’s awareness and mindfulness of you today?”

Hidden Gem

I knew I hadn’t eaten all the mini cheesecakes a wonderful friend had given me this summer. I wanted them to last as long as possible and to be able to enjoy them over a long period of time, I froze them. One day as I went to get one, I could not find them. I pictured the number of remaining ones. I was certain I still had some.

After looking and looking, I resigned to the fact that because they were so good perhaps they were enjoyed by other family members too. After all, sharing is caring, right? And, if I kept them all to myself, that wouldn’t be right, right? I told myself this so I could better accept if they were truly gone.

Amazingly, one evening when pulling out a bag from the freezer to begin making dinner, tucked away in the very back, I still had some left!! Happiness! Joy! I was excited and looked forward to eating a couple of the tasty cheesecakes after defrosting them. Yum! Yum!

When have you been excited about finding something you valued and treasured that had been tucked away, lost and then found?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

“How have you noticed Heavenly Father’s awareness and mindfulness of you today?”

Past Mistakes

While at a college presentation recently, I was remembering some of my experiences that I had many years ago when I was a college student. Periodically, there is one experience that pops back up over and over, here and there, and eats at me. I made a decision that I have questioned and have wondered if I could go back, would I have done what I did differently. I don’t know? I don’t know if I did the right thing or if I did the wrong thing, but it is something that I have felt guilty about all these years since and I haven’t been able to fully put it behind me.

During the middle of the presentation, I received a message on my phone from a friend I’ve known since childhood, but had not had direct correspondence with in years. As the struggle was taking place in my mind and I glanced down to see my friend’s kind message come through, I was taken back to a specific memory I had with this friend several years back. I opened up to them about a choice I had made that I had not resolved and it had bothered me for over 20 years until I got it off my chest apologizing to my friend for my actions.

My friend warmly received me. As I finally put my wrong to rest, I felt a weight removed. Even after the wrong I had done, this friend still loved and cared about me and saw past my error and saw the person I am truly. I was not my mistake. I am a good person, imperfect, mortal, and am learning and growing like everyone else and I do mess up. In a quick, split second as I glanced at the message and in remembrance of that experience, I heard the words, “Stop being so hard on yourself”.

On my drive home, I pondered on what had just occurred as I kept questioning my long ago decision as a college student. Each time the experience had came up, I continued to feel sorrow and pain. This time was no different. I had been tucking away the pain, setting it aside, ashamed, disappointed, uncertain if I had adequately dealt with it earlier, struggled to forgive myself, and not sure what to do to rid it fully from gnawing at me.

As I reached out to Heavenly Father in prayer on my way home, I thought about my knowledge of the Atonement. I knew I couldn’t change the past, but I could learn from the past to not make the mistake again in the present or the future. I knew Heavenly Father wanted me to be happy moving forward. As I was dialoguing with Heavenly Father, the words “embrace it” came very clearly and distinctly. In that instance, I felt a peace. I sought confirmation of this response. And again, I felt peace. My pain and suffering washed away. All these years later as I have avoided the benefits my choice could have had because I questioned if my actions were right or not, I heard, “embrace it, use what you have done for your good”. In addition to feeling peace, I also felt an excitement.

I responded back, replying to Heavenly Father, “ok, I will embrace it”. I felt joy. My pain had stayed with me long enough and it was a tender mercy both messages I received, “Stop being so hard on yourself” and “Embrace it”, allowed me to release the pain I was holding on to and experience joy.

When have you hung on to a mistake you made long ago and after praying and hearing specific words given to you from a loving Heavenly Father, you were finally able to let it go?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

“How have you noticed Heavenly Father’s awareness and mindfulness of you today?”

Timing Was Perfect

One evening as I was preheating the oven to begin dinner, my husband called and shared that he expected it was going to be a late night at work. I changed up the meal plan for our kids and I and held off preparing it until later. As the food finished cooking, my husband came through the door, arriving home earlier than either of us had anticipated. We were both very happy! The timing was perfect.

Then the next day, I was out all morning into the early afternoon and prior to picking up our kids from school, I stopped at a new restaurant that I had wanted to check out, most particularly because I had a coupon for BOGO Free burrito that was ending that day.  While watching the burritos being made, my husband called and asked if I was interested in joining him for a late lunch. I had a big smile on my face and said absolutely! The timing was ideal. I had lunch for him and for me and we were able to enjoy time together! So awesome!

When have you been overjoyed when a loved one or friend showed up at the perfect time to join you for a meal?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

“How have you noticed Heavenly Father’s awareness and mindfulness of you today?”

Inspired Words

For so long it has bugged me when I hear my children speak unkindly and I feel like a broken record when I say, “If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Then one day, these inspired words entered my mind and came out of my mouth, “What can you say instead, or not at all?”

I will, on occasion still say, “If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all” because the message is important, but more so, I now ask, “what can you say instead or not at all?” Often times, they’ll respond by answering “nothing at all”. Other times, if they spoke unkindly to a sibling, or to me, or my husband, they will pause and reflect on what they could have said instead, apologize, and then compliment or express words of gratitude to the one they spoke to poorly.

It has been fascinating to observe the transformation of giving them the opportunity to think about what they’re saying and doing and guiding them to positive action rather than my expressing irritation and annoyance and repeating, “if you have nothing nice to say, then say nothing at all” and it going in one ear and out the other. As I have asked a question instead of making a statement, it has been amazing the quick turnaround from harsh contentious words being spoken to gentle peaceful words coming from within themselves and spoken.

What inspirational words or phrases have entered your mind that you have shared with your children and it has made a difference in your home and how your family members speak and treat one another?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

Brotherly Kindness

On a very hot and sunny afternoon, our youngest son invited one of our other sons to go on a bike ride with him in our neighborhood and to spend some time together at our community park.

As they were preparing to leave, I was reviewing safety precautions with the boys, and the older brother said, “don’t worry mom, I’ll watch him.” My heart melted with the softness at which he spoke those words and his willingness to care for his younger brother.

Once outside while getting their bikes ready, the younger brother noticed his handle bars were crooked and the older brother happily went over to his bike, adjusted the handle bars and straightened them out. Both boys were cheerful and genuinely excited to spend some time together.

The younger one was happy his older brother accepted his invitation to go for a bike ride to the park and for fixing his bike and the older brother was happy to join him and to help him out. My heart was full. Watching our boys working together, getting along, and showing forth brotherly kindness to one another was a tender mercy.

When has your heart been full observing your children working together, getting along, and showing forth kindness to one another?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

“How have you noticed Heavenly Father’s awareness and mindfulness of you today?”

*If you would like to receive an email when new posts are published, please send your name and email address to tendermercymoments@gmail.com.*

Free Children’s Songbook

I do not frequent Facebook constantly. Several days, here and there, can go by before I get on and look through specific pages I like and follow. Early one evening as I began browsing through recent posts, I saw a free children’s songbook. The illustration on the front cover caught my eye and I was interested, however, initially I scrolled passed it. Minutes later, I came back to it again. I really wanted it and I was certain if I didn’t speak up right away, it would be gone. I responded immediately that I’d love it. Shortly after, I saw a confirmation message that it was available for me to pick up. I was thrilled! There are times I am timid and hesitate to ask for something I really want, but today I did not give myself the chance to pass it up and I am so grateful I did not. I was happy I happened to be on Facebook at the right time to see it less than 1 hour after it was posted.

I love the artwork and I enjoy hearing my children play the piano. Every once in a long while, I’ll sit down myself and attempt to play simple songs. I was grateful to be a recipient of something I value very much—beautiful art and peaceful music, a blessing and a treasure.

When have you jumped at an opportunity you came across to receive a free gift you really wanted and you were happy you got it?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

Willing To Give

One particular Sunday while at church, I was amazed at the number of different occasions I observed and witnessed others giving what they had, to help another in their time of need. I, too, was willing and wanting to help. With so many ready to jump in, it felt like a race. Having resources available right away and being in close proximity to the one in need was key.

As one woman in the library expressed a need for a band-aid, immediately a young mother standing close by hearing her request pulled out of her bag a brand new, not yet opened, first aid kit. I too, was close by to assist, however, the band-aids I had were in my car not as readily accessible.

During Sunday School class, a student was invited to share a personal experience. When his emotions surfaced, he sought for a Kleenex. Although I had Kleenex in my purse, I waited as I watched several others who were closer to him look for what they had and I saw a gentleman not far from the student place a travel size package next to him.

The opportunity for me to help came later when I overheard mention of a friend who was hungry and no one near her had any food with them. Initially, I shared that I had gum and Tic Tacs and then I remembered I had a snack in my bag. It happened to be the perfect snack for my friend who was not only hungry, but also had food allergies. I was grateful I had something to offer.

In addition, when leaving the last class with a couple of friends, they expressed concern and wondered why a situation in a story that had been shared in the lesson couldn’t have had a better outcome. I was able to provide information to a possible reason and explanation. They expressed appreciation for the insight.

Time and again as a need presented itself, many, including myself, were ready, happy and willing to assist where we could. It was neat to see how quickly so many went into action to help another and it felt good when I was able to give something I had, to help someone else.

When have you been touched by the service you’ve witnessed others render to one another and when have you been grateful for an opportunity you’ve had to help another in their time of need?

tendermercym♥ments~jld