Tender mercies and answers to prayers

My life has become one continual prayer. I have learned to pray over everything, big and small. Some things may seem trivial to the average person, but to me I have come to lean on my Heavenly Father for so much. It is through the example of my parents and grandparents. I have told my mom about things and often the first question out of her mouth is, "Did you pray about this?" I also remember a story that my Uncle Dale recounted at my grandmother's funeral over four years ago about my Grandma. Her home was being remodeled (years and years ago). He was stumped on how some wiring or some part of the construction needed to be completed. Grandma asked him if he prayed about it. His response was no, it is a construction project. She then responded, "Fine, I will go pray for you and you will get the answer." She came back and within minutes the thoughts and impressions came to him as to how to fix the problem. He said it was a life altering experience and one that he has never forgotten over the years. I, too, have never forgotten it and I too have had small, yet profound experiences that keep touching my heart over and over. This week I experienced two that touched me deeply - one for the personal learning and the other for the teaching opportunity.

This past Saturday I was searching all over for Parrot stickers. Yes, I wanted stickers with a picture of a parrot on it. It was a vital part of my singing time to teach the new song to the primary children. I kept praying that the answer would come and I would find something that would work. I searched store after store. I would go through every part of the stores just looking and searching. I came to my last store and said another quick but fervent prayer that I would find something. In the last two rows I found a foam package of pirates ships and skulls, but in the package I noticed that there were parrots all over it. It was quite a bit more than I had wanted to spend, but after doing a quick count I determined it would have enough, I needed about 40, and this was the only thing I could find. Then I headed to the check out. As I was walking up a lady just passing handed me the weekly add and said I am not using the coupon, here you go. It was a 40% off coupon. As I walked out to my car I was frustrated that I had not found what I was looking for. I was glad I had something that would work just fine and then it hit me like a ton of bricks. My prayer had been answered. I did find something that would work, just like I had asked for. It was not how I expected it, but it had been answered. And not only had it been answered, but I was further blessed by a kind stranger heeding a thought to hand me the coupon. I have always been a firm believer that prayers and blessing are often answered through other people. Here was another example of this. It reminded me of a valuable lesson that sometimes things don't turn out as we want or expect. But the answers to prayers come and our lives are in the hands of God. We just have to open our eyes to see the goodness and realize when the blessings and answers do come.

Then on Tuesday. I was sick. I had been battling a severe sinus infection and head funk that just would not go away. Josh had to be up in Phoenix for work. I had wanted to take the kids to the $1 Tuesday movie evening, but just didn't feel like fighting and uphill battle. Josh suggested I borrow a movie from a friend. I did this and on the drive home the sleeve containing the movie fell down into the crack of my console. I noticed the edge of the sleeve still sticking up so I managed to grab it, but the sleeve was upside down so the DVD remained in the slit while I pulled the sleeve out. I did not feel like dealing with this. The kids were anxious. We wanted to get home to get it on and start the pizza. All I could think to do was pray. Yes, over something small and trivial. When I got home I took out the screw driver and unscrewed the entire console, but it would not come apart. The entire time, I kept having this thought - "That will not work." But I kept trying anyway. When it finally sunk in that it was a prompting telling me that it would not work, I sat back in the chair to "listen". I had a thought to go grab the flashlight. When I saw where the DVD was I thought I wonder if Lexi could help. I had her come try. Her fingers could slide in the crack, but they were not long enough to grab the movie. I said yet another silent prayer. I had a thought to get a wire hanger and use it in a very specific way. As I was running upstairs to get the hanger I was thinking about that process that came to mind, it was the only way I could get the DVD and use the hanger without scratching the borrowed movie. Lexi helped me hold the console cover in a specific way while I used the flashlight and hanger. As soon as it was out I said a prayer of thanks, this time verbally. Lexi looked at me and said, "You prayed about that?" It was a great teaching moment for us. I hope that just as my Uncle's experience stuck with him, this experience will be one the Lexi remembers.

I am thankful each and every day for continual blessings, answers to prayers and the tender mercies that are bestowed upon me and my family. We are truly blessed as a family.