In His watchful care

I have wanted to post this entry more for a record for myself. It has had such a profound impact in my own life. I was just sitting here finishing up a few things at the computer, gazing out the window, Josh gone on a trip now and was once again reminded of this event. I decided I had better get it recorded now before the thought past and it didn't happen.

The first weekend of October Josh was gone on a quick weekend trip up to Utah with several of his brothers and a few nephews. It was Friday, just before the start of our church's General Conference. We do not have cable and so I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do to be able to watch all of the sessions of conference, but not have the stress of my kids. I really wanted to enjoy it. A couple of people had offered to allow us to go to their homes, but they are just not children proofed for my children or they have small children and consequently toys for small children. Knowing my children they would be bored (which causes mischievousness and problems). The solution was that our friends, the Willard's, decided to allow me to use their lap top (Josh had his with him in UT). Scott came over earlier in the day on Friday and got it all set up for me.

Friday night came. I had been listening to some quiet music and cleaning up a few thing around the house. Suddenly I had the most overwhelming feeling, stronger than any feeling I had ever felt in my life that something bad was going to happen here at home. I kept running upstairs to check on the kids. I made sure all doors were locked, but the feeling was so unbelievably strong and wouldn't pass. I started praying to know what to do to protect my family.

The answer came that I needed to do something immediately to increase the Spirit in my home. I remembered the lap top and that Scott had checked all the connections with the General Relief Society Broadcast. I had not been able to attend that broadcast so I thought that would be the perfect thing. I ran to the office to pull it up and the computer was locked. I didn't have the password. I looked a the clock - 9:45pm, a little late to call so I was going to send Scott and Trisha a text hoping that they were still awake. I noticed I missed a call and had voice mail. I felt I should quickly listen to that first. It was Scott. This is what the message said, "Hey Trish, I just had a quick thought that I forgot to give you the password just in case the computer gets locked or gets turned off." I quickly said a prayer for such a wonderful tender mercy and typed in the password. The Relief Society Broadcast was all set to go and I started watching.

I was still feeling the anxiety, but there was also an underlying feeling of peace and protection. About 20 maybe 30 minutes into watching and just having the Spirit get stronger and stronger there was suddenly something going on outside, right outside my window, just on the other side of the window that I was sitting at. it was very loud. It was scary. It sounded just plain awful. Right at that moment the song that was being sung was How Firm a Foundation, they were just starting the second verse, "Fear not, I am with thee, oh be not dismayed. For I am thy God and will still give thee aid. I'll strengthen thee, help and cause thee to stand. Upheld by my righteous omnipotent hand." I definitely felt buoyed up by His righteous hand at that moment. I felt that I should not look outside or worry about what was happening. I continued to feel the Spirit so tremendously. The fear had been replaced with complete peace, even while the tumultuous noise continued.

My emotions were on the surface for the rest of the broadcast and was strengthened so much spiritually. I was instantly reminded of a scripture, Helaman 5:12, "And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." I truly had the danger pass by as I was strengthening my foundation. I saw first hand how the scriptures come to pass and work in our lives.

Upon the conclusion of the broadcast I hit my knees in prayer just thanking Heavenly Father for watching over my family and for answering my prayers. In family prayer as the children went to bed earlier in the evening, one of the children had asked for us to be watched over in Daddy's absence. I knew that prayer had indeed been answered. It felt as though I was tangibly being held and loved. It was so wonderful. Still to this day I do not know what was going on or why, but I do continually feel of that love and strength that I felt that night knowing that we were protected from that harm.