Watch for the Blessings

When I was a brand new military wife, I met - more like the Lord placed in my life - the sweetest woman. She had been a military wife a lot longer than I had, and was telling me all about life in the military. I listened as she told me about all the places her husband had deployed too and how long he was gone for.

Feeling slightly overwhelmed, and unsure of what I had got myself into, I asked her, "How do you cope with your husband being gone so much!?" Being a newlywed, I simply couldn't imagine a day without seeing my husband (Oh to be young and newly married again.) I also knew that her story would quickly become my reality. 

Her response to me was, "I write down all the blessings that come because my husband is away." Things like, being able to visit with family for longer periods of time, meeting new friends, realizing that you can do hard things, relying more fully on the Lord, and strengthening your testimony that truly families are forever. I admired her faith and her positive outlook on some really trying times. 

When my husband deployed a few years later, I put her advice to the test. I looked for all the blessings that

came because he was away. I too was able to spend more time with family. I was able to work for a family friend. I became more independent and sure of my abilities to carry on with life. I gained a deeper love for my Heavenly Father and Savior. I met a new friend whose husband was also deployed. She quickly became someone I could vent to and vice versa. She understood exactly what I meant when I would say, "I am surround by family and friends but feel so alone." We never would have met if our husband's had not deployed. I could go on and on but needless to say the blessings were there IF I looked for them.  

I few weeks ago, I was having a party for one - yes I was quite happy enjoying my little pity party. Why was this not going the way I  wanted? Why couldn't we have more of this? The kids are driving me crazy! and on and on it went. It was in that moment when I was reminded of my sweet friend and her advice to me all those years ago. I started to wonder what blessings were coming my way because of this pandemic. The answer - lots! My family and I have been incredibly blessed by the Lord even though we are spending most of our time inside our home. My husband has been able to continue to work. 

I have been able to start some new hobbies. My girls are building a strong sibling relationship (I love listening to them play their games.) I have been able to enjoy life with no schedules or drop off or pick up times. I am so grateful for the opportunity to slow down and realize what things are important in my life and what things I can let go off. 

I don't want to take away from anyone's hardships. I know this pandemic has not been easy to navigate,. However, I do know we have a loving Heavenly Father who watches over us. He wants nothing more than for us to succeed in life.  Whether or not we notice, blessings are being poured down on us. Some may have an immediate effect and some we won't realize for weeks, months, even years. So my advice is simply to 

watch for them because I promise you they are there. 

    

      

 

The Day I Met The Prophet

I don't remember too much about the day I met the prophet, Thomas S. Monson, although he wasn't the prophet yet; but I will never forget the day he shook my hand!
It was 1998 and my Mum and siblings traveled by bus, with other ward members, to the dedication of the Preston, England Temple. It was quite a drive (about three and a half hours.) We arrived and was immediately ushered into a long line. I wasn't sure where we were going, there was talk about us going to the local church building to watch the dedication, I was just told to stay close to my Mum. She was following our Bishop and his wife, who were following the stake president and his wife. Our stake president had been praying that members of his stake would be seated in the temple for the dedication.

We approached the temple and saw members of our ward being ushered downstairs. I just assumed we would go the same way; however, when we got towards the front of the line the direction switched and people started getting sent upstairs. We huddled close and followed the people upstairs. We were seated in what looked like a hallway. Excited, we waited for the dedication to begin. Just then an usher approached and asked if there were two people who would like to be seated in the celestial room for the dedication. Two members of our ward were then escorted into the double doors right in front of us. It was then the realization came over those I was with. We weren't just seated in any hallway. We were seated outside the celestial room! Just then we stood up and behind us the elevator doors opened. Stepping out the elevator was President Gordon B. Hinckley and President Thomas S. Monson. I am sure there were others with them but I just can't remember. My eyes were focused on those two men. I couldn't believe I was seeing a prophet of the Lord with my own eyes. Up until that point I had only seen them on TV once every six months. They walked down the aisle on the other side of the room and shook hands

with the two people on the end of each row.  I watched the dedication on a TV they had set up where we were sitting. Then, when it was over, the doors to the celestial room opened and out stepped the Prophet and President Monson. Only this time they were coming down our aisle! I was the third one in the row and so was aware that I would  not be shaking the hand of the prophet, which was fine, I was just in awe that he was standing right there! President Hinckley shook two of my siblings hands and kept walking, I could tell that he was a happy man. Then came President Monson, I remember him stopping and shaking everyone's hands. He was so happy to see youth at the dedication. I felt like I was meeting a celebrity! Although the handshake only lasted a second it has had an unmeasurable impact on my. I will never forget that day when he took those precious seconds out of his time to shake my hand. I have felt the love he has for the primary kids, youth and adults at every General Conference since. I know he loves each of us because I felt it that day, at the dedication. I know with all my heart that President Monson was a true prophet of God. I have loved and sustained him and am so happy that he is reunited with his wife, Francis, again.

pics from lds.org