Going out of the house with glasses on has its drawbacks. As they often slip down my nose and are smudgy, I am not able to see things as clearly as when I’m wearing my contacts. However, this particular weekend, it was rainy and humid and I didn’t feel like wearing my contacts. While venturing to the grocery store with my husband early one evening, I felt so out of it. It seemed later than it actually was due to the time of year and it getting darker sooner. I was walking around in a daze without the same focus and concentration I would have wearing my contacts. Those who wear contacts and glasses, can you relate? I wanted to be in and out as quickly as possible and not being able to see well made that goal a bit difficult.
Although for the most part we were getting staple foods that remain the same week to week, I thought about one of my children wanting to make Buckeyes. I decided we might as well pick up those ingredients also while we were at the store. Not knowing what was needed, I called my kids and asked them what items I should buy. They were not certain and had not yet looked up a recipe. All I knew was that Buckeyes have peanut butter and chocolate.
When have you received just what you needed/wanted at the very time you needed/wanted it because you opened your mouth and mentioned to someone else your desires and they had exactly what you were needing/wanting?
tendermercym♥ments~jld
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
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
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
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
Publicly Sharing A Personal Experience
As I sat down in a Fast and Testimony Sacrament Meeting held the 1st Sunday of the month in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I was looking forward to hearing what messages and testimonies would be shared. This is one of my favorite meetings. Time and again, I walk away feeling encouraged and inspired by the personal testimonies of others.
As I was sitting in the pew with our family, I was feeling a burning inside that I needed to get up and share an experience I had a few days prior testifying to the truth that I know Heavenly Father is aware of us individually and personally and how I was guided and led to go to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saint Temple to receive an answer there, specific to what I was needing to hear related to questions and concerns happening in my world at that time.
It was scary and it took a lot of courage to act on the impression and walk up to the pulpit to share in front of a congregation of members, visitors, individuals, and families attending that day revelation I had received personally for me. I had no intention of sharing my experience with anyone and initially sat comfortably listening to the testimonies of others.
On occasion, I have felt that burning inside of me days prior to a Fast and Testimony Meeting and I have known ahead of time that Heavenly Father has wanted me to share my testimony. With a head’s up, I have been able to collect my thoughts and prepare what I am going to say and wear so I can somewhat feel ok as I am shaking and emotional in front of everyone.
On this day, that did not happen. I had no idea I would be one of the many who would have the prompting to get up and share what I had received as personal revelation for myself with everyone. I did not receive the impression until 20 minutes before the meeting ended.
As I watched the clock and listened to the testimonies of others, the minutes were passing by. My heart started beating fast. I was nervous and as I was debating whether to leave my seat, one of my kids began asking me questions breaking my concentration and I began feeling more tense. I waited and as I finally got up, I was the last person to share my testimony.
I am not one who is comfortable being in the lime light or the center of attention and here I was in front of everyone. I prayed Heavenly Father would help me along the way. There was no time to plan ahead what to say other than to speak to my experience and testify to what I knew. Following my testimony and as I departed the stand, I felt a peace. After the meeting, many approached me and expressed their gratitude for my testimony and what I had shared.
When have you received a strong impression to share a personal experience in front of a lot of people and although you were nervous, you knew the prompting came from Heavenly Father and you had faith He would help you?
tendermercym♥ments~jld
Redbox
It is tradition for our family to have a weekly weekend movie night and stay up till midnight. One day when a couple of our children and I stopped at Redbox to pick up a couple movies, the first movie came out just fine and as the second movie began to come out, it got stuck and I had to pull it a bit to release it. When I got it out, I noticed that a corner was all chewed up.
I was concerned there would be complications when bringing it back after watching the movie and we would be charged for overtime on a movie we’re unable to return properly. After bringing in the edges that were bent out and smoothing the hard plastic case the best I could, it did slide back in with no problems. I was grateful we were not held responsible or charged extra for preexisting damage that could have prevented a timely return.
When have you been grateful when you purchased a damaged item and there were no problems or issues returning it?
tendermercym♥ments~jld
Be Still
As our kids returned to school after summer break, I knew I would have “mom homework” the first few days. In addition to completing the necessary paperwork for each of them, I had a lot of other worries, concerns, and questions weighing on my mind. During this time, I set aside what I would normally do each day that was spiritually uplifting for me. By midweek, I felt drained. I decided it was a good idea to take a break to find and listen to an inspiring message that would give me a much needed boost.
As I scrolled through a couple weeks of inspirational messages on Hi Five Live, there was one message that stood out to me, however, I was not drawn to it. I skipped over it a number of times, yet felt I should go back and listen to it. Eventually I did. In the message, I remember nothing of what was shared other than the words, “you need to go to the temple” enter my mind. That day came and went. Then the next day came, and into the evening I was reminded that I needed to go to the temple. I made the decision and mentally prepared that night that I would go the next day.
Bright and early, following family prayer, I looked at the temple schedule on our fridge and noticed the temple was not open in the morning during the timeframe I had intended to go. I changed my plans and decided I would do family history work instead to further seek to find something about my husband’s great grandfather several grandfather’s back. I then went on my way to taking my kids to school.
As I pulled into my driveway upon returning home, I received the impression again that I needed to go to the temple. Immediately, I remembered the Bishop of our congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints share a couple weeks earlier that more sessions for temple ordinance work had opened up. Right away, while still sitting in my car, I called the temple. I was not the least bit surprised that someone picked up. Although it was last minute, I was able to attend the final Endowment session of the morning. Throughout the session, I listened and waited for a powerful answer I was anticipating I’d receive from Heavenly Father. As I finished the ordinance and I sat in the Celestial room knowing I was to be in the temple, on that day, at that time, I continued to wait. As time passed and patrons began leaving, the room became quiet and still. It was through the quietness and stillness of the room that the message I needed to hear became known. It was, “Be Still”.
As I shared the details of my experience to my husband, he mentioned a phrase I’ve heard many times, “Be Still And Know That I Am God”. The words impacted me tremendously. This answer was applicable to every worry, concern, and question I had. Heavenly Father knew what I needed. I am grateful for the knowledge I have that He is aware of me and loves me and through a number of invitations, I was blessed as Heavenly Father lead and guided me to the temple, a place of peace, to hear the words, “Be Still”.
When have you been guided and led to a place where you have received an answer(s) to questions, concerns, and worries on your mind?
tendermercym♥ments~jld
“How have you noticed Heavenly Father’s awareness and mindfulness of you today?”
Water Bottles In The Car
It can get very hot here. When we first moved to the area, there was a drought and temperatures were over 100 degrees Fahrenheit for days that summer. As we were acclimating to our new environment, one of our kids was constantly dehydrated so much so that when we would run errands, with each stop at a store, the first place that was asked that we go was the drinking fountain in the very back of the store.
Since then, I try to always keep water bottles in my car. We go through them fairly quickly and there are times when the request for a water bottle is made and there is nothing to offer. Sometimes, when they all get used up, I forget to bring out new ones. On those days when it is much needed, it is a real blessing to have at least one water bottle in the car. Today, I was grateful when I needed water while I was out, there was one in the car.
Not only are they necessary during the summer, but also during the school year. Although my kids keep a water bottle in their backpack, I try to also have a few in the car when I pick them up. After a full day of their going from from class to class, eating an early lunch, and having gym later in the day, when they get into the car they’re hot, sweaty, and thirsty. I know, they too, are appreciative when there is water available, especially on those days.
When have you been grateful you had water in your car when you needed it?
tendermercym♥ments~jld
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