Read Now, Listen Later

When taking my car in to get the oil changed and the tires rotated, I was told that the wait time would be an hour and a half. I came prepared knowing that there would be a wait time. I wasn’t sure for how long so I brought reading material with me and things that I could listen to while I was waiting. I had a lot of good things that I wanted to accomplish and do in that timeframe, one was adding to my blog and two was listening to podcasts that were inspirational, uplifting, and educational.

While I was listening to a podcast, I had an impression and a prompting that during that time period I could better use my time by reading from the scriptures. Recently, our Prophet, President Russell M. Nelson shared with and invited and encouraged the women of our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to read The Book Of Mormon before the end of the year.  I have chosen to follow that counsel.

Finding time to read is challenging. I am on the go constantly running errands, picking up my kids, and doing different activities. Sitting down is not something I do a lot of, however, during this hour and a half the impression came to read my scriptures. I immediately put away the podcast that I was halfway through and chose and elected to read my scriptures. It was awesome!

I had maybe 30 minutes at that point in time, and anything is something that I wouldn’t have normally. I felt it was a wonderful tender mercy to have that impression and prompting to read my scriptures then rather than listen to the podcast because the podcast could be listened to while in the car driving and when I’m walking around and taking care of dishes, laundry and such. It was fantastic—a wonderful tender mercy to have that time allotted to be able to read from the scriptures!

When have you felt impressed to use your time differently and it ended up being a better, more efficient way for you to accomplish your desired goals?

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.**

Following Prophetic Counsel

When President Russell M. Nelson, the Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints extended an invitation for all women of the church to do a 10-day social media fast and read The Book of Mormon before the end of the year, I had a willing heart to participate, yet I was wrestling and struggling with a couple of things trying to decide what I should do.

I was perplexed when I saw a Facebook page I turned to for inspiration doing the 10-day fast. It frustrated me. I could not understand why when they are a source for good and a light to the world they would remove themselves and shut down for 10 days. Six months earlier they also participated in the social media fast our Prophet encouraged and invited the youth of our church to do. I was bothered beyond bothered six months earlier and worked through those emotions as I recognized their team was inspired and they followed what they felt prompted they should do. So fast forward six months when this invitation was extended to all the women and again they were inspired to participate in the 10-day fast. I was bummed and annoyed, but I worked through the emotions a lot more quickly this time around.

That led me to question whether I should be adding anything to my blog for the next 10 days or not because my blog also publishes to Facebook. A couple of days following the announcement I pondered and contemplated the “letter of the law” versus the “spirit of the law” and re-read President Nelson‘s invitation several times, particularly the words, “I invite you to participate in a 10-day fast from social media and from any other media that bring negative and impure thoughts to your mind.” I personally am drawn to things that are good, but do on occasion get caught up in spending more time than I should on social media. My blog is a source for good and it is uplifting. As I went walking with a friend several days later, I shared with her that I was trying to figure out what was the right thing for me to do—continue blogging or take a break and set it aside for 10 days. Her words confirmed the feelings I had felt when I prayed asking Heavenly Father directly what I should do. The answer I received was that it would be all right for me to continue to blog as I felt impressed and prompted to do so.

I know that when counsel is given and we lack understanding and are frustrated and we want to follow and know for ourselves how to go about doing it, we can turn to Heavenly Father and ask Him.

One other question I asked Heavenly Father was whether I should read The Book of Mormon starting on page 1. I was currently in the book of Helaman. When the announcement came, I wondered if it would be ok if I continued right where I was as my starting point. Following my sincere and heartfelt prayers and studying out what I should do, I felt good about beginning and ending in Helaman.

At the end of the 10-day social media fast, I came to realize a couple of things. One, if I had really wanted to go to the Facebook page mentioned earlier for inspirational messages I could’ve gone to past posts. I didn’t think about that at all until the social media fast had passed. Two, I was humbled by the many others whose uplifting and wholesome Facebook pages I follow also participated in the social media fast. I had no idea because I didn’t search for them during those 10 days. I was amazed that even others who share good information took a break themselves from social media. What I gained the most from the experience was the more concentrated effort I gave to focus on what Heavenly Father wanted me to do to be a light in the world and spending more in-person quality time with others.

It was a tender mercy that I was able to receive an answer for myself from Heavenly Father to how I could personally follow our Prophet’s invitation. I did not have to give up blogging to participate in the 10-day social media fast and I could start right where I was at in The Book of Mormon and read the entire book finishing where I began.

When have you wrestled with and were unsure how to precede with direction given by an inspired leader and you received a personal confirmation from Heavenly Father what was right for you to accomplish and fulfill the invitation you were willing and desired to accept?

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.**

Continued Expression of Gratitude

It was weeks before I came to a knowledge that we were missing our HDMI adapter. One day while in our church library, I noticed a hand-written note with an adapter attached and the name and number of a family friend in another ward who found it. Initially, I did not realize it belonged to us and then came to learn that my husband left ours on a TV he checked out of the library a month earlier when teaching a Sunday School class. Seeing the note and finding out it was ours before we knew it was missing was a tender mercy eliminating any fret, anxiety, and stress I would have felt over trying to figure out when and where we used it last. When I saw our friend later passing by in the hall, I reached out to express an exuberant thank you.

About a month later, a youth Sunday School teacher came to the library looking for their HDMI adapter that they had left on the TV the Sunday prior. For a number of weeks they returned to the library asking if anyone had seen it or if it had been found. Sadly, the answer was no. I was hopeful that it would be returned to them just as ours had.

Then one day after church as I saw our friend walk by, my thoughts turned to the happiness I experienced for their efforts in getting the adapter back to us as well as the sorrow I felt for the teacher’s loss. I once again expressed my immense appreciation and mentioned the teacher who was still looking for theirs. To that, our friend said they saw an HDMI adapter on their bishop’s desk and had wondered if it belonged to the bishop or if it was someone else’s. Following our dialogue, they asked their bishop and learned that the adapter was not his and it was given to me to return to the other teacher. I was beaming with excitement and gratitude.

Through this interaction and the sharing of information, it was a remarkable tender mercy that our friend also knew the whereabouts of the other teacher’s missing adapter. I felt joy being able to return the adapter to the other teacher.

When have you either been the recipient of a missing item returned before you knew it was lost or have casually mentioned another’s lost object to a friend and that friend had information and knowledge of its location?

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.**

Oranges

For days my allergies were really bad. I was a mess. I was miserable. One morning, I was wanting Vitamin C. What I really wanted was orange juice or an orange. The closest thing that I knew we had were lemons. I squeezed some lemon juice in a cup of water and hoped it would help. Later, I noticed after one of my children made their own lunch that they had an orange on their plate. I excitedly expressed, “we have oranges?!” I was amazed! Seeing the orange on my child’s plate drew me to the fridge to see that we had more. What a tender mercy and a huge blessing to discover in this way, that what I wanted most we had.

When have you been grateful to realize and learn through someone else that what you really wanted and needed you already had— perhaps it was similar to the orange or maybe it was a skill or talent, strength, confidence, etc?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

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

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

Candy Canes

For a week, I was in a fog when my allergies were intense. One morning I woke up to a sore throat. It was a tender mercy that I had mini candy canes in my pantry closet. The peppermint oil was very soothing. I had one candy cane in the morning and it started working right away. Following another one in the evening and the morning after, my sore throat was gone. Although my allergies continued for days beyond, I no longer had the sore throat. I was grateful I had candy canes in stock when I needed something that would soothe my sore throat.

When have you had an unconventional item on hand that quickly soothed an ailment?

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.**

Weathering The Storm

Recently, our family took a one-day trip, leaving early in the morning, driving several hours, to attend a registered event and we returned home the same day, late evening. While traveling bright and early, hours before the crack of dawn, we drove through a rainstorm that was going in the same direction we were headed. We left during heavy downpours that had flooded roads at low points. In the darkness of the hour, the areas on the road that were flooded were unknown until we actually drove into it, literally plowing through the water to make it out the other side without getting stuck. It was pretty scary and nerve-racking. As the driver, I was able to steady our car and maintain a forward direction without veering into a concrete wall or losing control later on the road.

Before we left, we had a family prayer together and throughout the drive, I continuously maintained a prayer in my heart. I felt a calm and peace. I knew all would be well and I was confident we would arrive to the location unharmed. The weather didn’t change, however, I was vigilant, gauging conditions, closely paying attention to what was ahead of me and my surroundings as well as watching the vehicles in front of me and around me.

While driving, I thought of the many challenges in life we experience that we have no control over and can not stop, but through prayer, we can receive help to get through the trying times. I did not feel impressed to turn around and go home avoiding driving in the rain. What I did feel and received was strength, comfort, support, and a peaceful assurance we would be ok.

Along the way, I implemented what I felt would be the best course of action to protect our family, staying in the middle lane where the road sat higher and was dryer, changing lanes to avoid and stay clear of puddles, remaining focused and alert, relying on light from other cars to see beyond my own visibility in the dark, slowing down as needed and speeding up when necessary for momentum to not get stuck. As the sky was darkened, I was grateful for the city lights, truck lights, and cars lights that assisted my ability to see large pools of water in our path.

There was rain the entire way to the event, heavy in the beginning and intermittent throughout with occasional light rain and brief moments of no rain. I was grateful when the sun rose and I could see more. I was also grateful for short periods of time when there was light to no rain when I could relax and release the tension in my shoulders and hands from overall having maintained a tight two-handed grip on the steering wheel to not lose control if we hit a bad spot.

We arrived safely as I knew we would. I was grateful for multiple tender mercies from having light along the way, moments of being able to relax, getting to the place on time, and the peaceful assurance that we would be ok while driving through the storm.

When you have experienced the storms of life that you could not control, change, or alter and with divine help you received a comfort and strength that helped you get through it with a feeling of peace and confidence?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

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

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

Late Start

It was a particularly rough morning when carpool plans changed last minute. One of our children did not have a ride unless they left with me 15 minutes earlier than their usual departure time, lessening their time to get ready. As I waited on them, leaving several minutes later than I had planned to take one of our other children to school, who arrived 3 minutes before their bell rang, further delays occurred as frustrations arose resulting in what I thought would be a definite tardy for the child whose carpool plans had been altered.

I did not want them to be late. I prayed they would be on time, but the closer it got to the start time, it became apparent they would inevitably be late. Minutes after we arrived and I dropped them off, I received a message from them that on that day it was a late start. Instead of being late, they were early. I was grateful!

My prayer was answered in a different way than my specific plea that we would make it through the lights and turn arrows in a timely manner and traffic would be light. The traffic and intersection lights were not on our side and when I saw that there was no way to get there any sooner but to patiently wait it out, it was a huge blessing and tender mercy when I learned about the late start.

When have you prayed specifically for what you thought would help you arrive somewhere on time and when that didn’t happen and you resigned to the fact that you were going to be late, you learn that your prayer was answered in a different way and you ended up being punctual after all?

tendermercym♥ments~jld

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

To receive an email when new posts are published, please send your email address to tendermercymoments@gmail.com

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?”