Category: Service

Giving Up My Jacket

Before leaving the house to take our boys to an overnight youth camp out, last minute I was prompted to grab my hooded jacket. Initially, I attributed my receiving the prompting to my tendency to feel cold when outdoors at night. I was happy I had received the thought and that I’d be prepared in the event I needed it while out.  

Upon arrival at the campsite, it was a short time till dusk. As the temperature had slightly dropped, one of my boys expressed feeling a bit cold upon my noticing that it appeared he was and asking him. Because it had been warm outside all day he had not brought with him a jacket or long sleeve shirt. I felt impressed to offer up my jacket so he could stay warm through the night.

It was a tender mercy I had my jacket in the car available when he needed it and not just for the warmth, but also, being unaware and not anticipating that the weather would change so drastically the next morning with a torrential downpour and intense hailstorm that came through our area, the hooded jacket covered his head from the rain and protected him. 

When have you felt prompted to grab something on your way out the door assuming it was for your use later on and, after all, it was intended for someone else with a greater need than your own?

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.*

Where Do I Start My Search?

When searching for a “needle in a haystack”, where do I start?

In helping a family member look for a temporary place to stay for a few months in a large city out-of-state, it was quite daunting and overwhelming to even know where to begin. As I sat and looked at the map of the city, I prayed for guidance and direction to know where to start.

Following my prayer, the first thing that came to my mind was to reach out to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Institute of Religion office in that area. From there, I was directed to a housing website with a page listing over 40+ apartments/condos. As I viewed their geographical locations, I felt impressed and led to 2 separate complexes within close proximity of each other. Immediately, my search was narrowed down substantially.  

And, even more so, when the first complex I looked into not only had an apartment unit that was conducive and suitable to the needs of the family member and offered fantastic amenities ideal to their interests and what they love doing, it was also move-in ready. Within a few days the family member had visited the place, liked it, signed a lease and the contract was approved. 

It was a tender mercy I was able to find something so quick and with directness. It was amazing! Not only that, it was a tender mercy the entire first month’s rent had already been paid for by the previous tenant and the security deposit was waived as I had called while a promotional offer was going on.  

When have you taken on something so big you did not know where to start and after seeking divine help, everything through to completion turned out incredibly well and came together relatively fast? 

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.*

Called To The Work

Recently, throughout the day and into the evening while attending with my children and the youth of our congregation as they participated in ordinances in the temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I was experiencing a pain in my side and emotionally my spirits were low.  

Upon arrival, one of the youth shared with me that they did not have with them the necessary card to enter the temple. As the rest of the group went ahead, I stayed behind to help them. As we waited until they were issued a new temple recommend, they expressed gratitude that I had remained by their side. For me, it was a tender mercy that they had approached me with their concern and I was able to assist as being engaged in their need took my mind somewhat off of the hurt I was feeling. 

In addition, it was a tender mercy when rather than sitting the entire time paying more attention to what was troubling me while also watching each of the youth one-by-one perform proxy baptisms for the dead and confirmations, I was asked by a temple worker if I was willing to be a “baptistry runner” continuously taking a grouping of completed baptism names from a table to the confirmation desk and then to the office for recording. Although I hesitantly said yes, it kept me occupied and active throughout the duration of our time there. Ultimately, the opportunity to serve helped me. My focus and energy was redirected away from my physical discomfort and feeling emotionally down. It was a wonderful blessing! 

When has a form of pain you were experiencing been unnoticed for a time as you accepted an opportunity to serve others?

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.*

Grace

As of late, I have felt extremely overwhelmed and challenged by my limited capacity to reach out to more of my family and friends each day. In feeling stretched too thin and the shortage of more hours in a day, it has been a tender mercy that with a prayer in my heart, I’ve come to know, through promptings and impressions of the Spirit, who to reach out to on a given day. 

I’ve also been troubled, wondering with the various activities constraining my time daily, if the simple ways I’ve connected and reached out to those I care about and love have been too small and of little value. 

When I attended an evening session of a Stake Conference, a church meeting, I walked in feeling a heaviness questioning if the quantity and quality of what I give is adequate. Preceding the start of the meeting, I heard the word “grace” come into my mind. Subsequently, the following message also entered my mind. “Allow yourself some grace. You’re doing your best and all that you can. Your family and friends know that you love them. Give yourself grace.” These words from our loving Heavenly Father through the Holy Ghost gave me comfort. 

As I sat and listened to the speakers collectively share a myriad of ways we can reach out and bless the lives of others, it was a tender mercy I had received the above message before the meeting began. I was able to recognize that my acts of charity and service were more widespread and had a greater positive impact than I had realized. Although my good deeds are often meager, I saw that my relatively simple acts of kindness are not insignificant. 

I believe the word grace entered my mind at the very beginning of the meeting so that when hearing the talks I would not have doubted further my efforts and good deeds as deficient, lacking, and not enough, but, rather instead, acknowledge the works and service I render are acceptable, adequate, and sufficient.   

When have you felt overwhelmed when you wanted to do more for others, but your capacity to do so was limited and you received comforting words that the good works you’re doing, which may seem small to you, are acceptable, adequate and sufficient?

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.*

Not All Was Lost

My husband and I were desirous and looking forward to attending the homecomings of two returned missionaries. They were the first of our son’s (himself being almost 3/4 of the way through his mission) group of friends to return home after serving a two year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and we were awaiting word as to when they would be taking place in their respective home wards. Time got away and I heard nothing until one day while in dialogue with a friend at church, I learned that they had already happened. I was bummed to hear the news that we had missed their homecoming talks.

Later that same afternoon, our family was attending a meeting at church. As we were preparing to exit the building, I looked down the hall and I saw one of our son’s friends in the foyer. It was a joyous reunion! As I was talking to him, the other returned missionary came out of the chapel. And shortly thereafter another one of our son’s friends also came out of the chapel into the foyer. Being able to talk to and see these two returned missionaries and the other friend of our son’s was an incredible experience!

When hours earlier I was sad that I had missed their homecomings, it was a tender mercy that here they both were in our building and we crossed paths and saw each other at that very moment in the foyer as we were preparing to leave the building and they were entering their meeting that was about to begin. It was awesome!

When have you been disappointed that you missed a missionary homecoming, a friend or loved one’s birthday party, baby shower, graduation, wedding, etc. and the circumstances and timing of crossing paths with them later was remarkable, replacing the sadness of wanting to have attended their special occasion to the joy that not all was lost and you were now seeing and spending one-on-one time with them?

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.*

Handy Paper Towels

When a family member’s sparkling flavored water fizzed over when they were opening it, another family member was quick to come over with a bundle of paper towels to assist with the cleanup. I was extremely grateful for the thoughtfulness of the one cheerfully and willingly helping, all on their own.

And, later as evening came and lights were turned off, while heading to our bedroom, I saw something scurry in front of me. I quickly reached for a light switch to turn the lights back on and noticed a teeny tiny lizard that was moving fast across our hardwood floors in the direction of our carpeted bedroom.

I wanted to catch it before it entered the room as there was no guarantee I would be able to see it if it blended in with the carpet. When I called out, two family members were behind me with paper towels to swoop up the lizard before it got any further. As I was keeping an eye on its location and did not have anything to catch it with nor was I wanting to stomp on it, I was grateful they came right away with paper towels in hand.

When have you been grateful to have paper towels close by to grab or they were handed to you when you needed them?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

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

Brownies

Labor Day was rainy. Midway through the day, I was craving brownies and looked in our pantry for a brownie mix and we had none. Several hours later when there was a temporary break from the rain, my husband went to the store to get some groceries. When he returned home and I was putting the food away, I noticed the pre-made brownies he had purchased. I was ecstatic! He had no idea that earlier in the day I was wanting brownies. I had not told anyone. I thanked him multiple times. I was so happy.

When have you said nothing to anyone when you craved something you did not have and shortly thereafter you were brought that very treat?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

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

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

Interior Decorating

One summer afternoon as we were preparing to have guests over, our daughter cleaned up our kitchen table and changed out the centerpiece for a simple, modern look removing and replacing the spring decor. I was delighted and thanked her for having an eye for decorating and being able to gather up items throughout the house to put together a fabulous centerpiece. I loved it! It was like staging a home and rearranging what you already have for a look that was more appealing. I was quite impressed!

Have you had a friend or family member share their interior decorating skills to beautify your home and you absolutely loved and valued and appreciated their talent?

tendermercym♥ments~jld