A Prayer Answered

Today we started working on our fence!! And by we, I mostly mean Drew. He got to work digging holes with a hydraulic auger he rented while I took the girls to Olympia to keep us out of the way. Drew called several times to report on his progress and each time he was getting more and more frustrated. After he called and said that the auger had stopped working and he'd have to take it back for them to fix and he'd wasted so much time trying to get it to work etc., I said a silent prayer asking for him to feel peace and stay calm and for it to begin working again. I didn't have any more calls from him and when I got home I saw our friend, Matt's, truck in the driveway and all of the holes dug with no sign of Drew or Matt. When they returned Drew explained how he'd taken the auger back and they'd fixed the spark plug and then right after he returned home Matt came by to see if Drew needed any help. Matt was supposed to be working all day, but was able to come by surprise- and in the amount of time it had taken Drew to just do a few holes alone, they had finished the entire yard together. I feel so blessed for Matt being open to the spirit and for being an answer to my prayer and a much appreciated helper and friend for Drew. I am reminded of how we can be instruments in the Lord's hands to answer the prayers of others if we but listen, and I am grateful that Matt did.

Safe Travel

Today was a busy and great day. I spent the morning playing with my girls and for the afternoon and evening Drew and I were able to attend the temple and then visit a friend in the hospital. I am grateful for each of those opportunities for service and the blessings from them, but today I also feel especially blessed for safe travel. Before we leave on just about any trip of great length, Drew and I always say a prayer and ask that we can travel in safety, and I really feel that that prayer is answered by more than just coincidental safety- I believe that we are being watched over and kept safe. Traffic was bad as always and there were several accidents on the road- one that happened just a few lanes over from us. Driving these days can be dangerous and I just feel so blessed whenever we travel safely and can return home free from harm. I am grateful for our safe travel this day, and know it is a blessing from the Lord.

Procrastination

Today I am reminded to not procrastinate. I think I usually think about procrastination in terms of 'the day of your repentance' or for goals or for things that need to get done, but today I am thinking about it in terms of service. I have been trying to help out my friend and her family by watching some of her kids while she is in the hospital and give her mom a break who's in town also helping, but I've procrastinated my service. We had planned on me probably watching her boys this Friday so I called today to plan for tomorrow, but they just decided that they'll be heading out of town for awhile with grandma, and I feel like I missed my chance to offer much needed service. I'd been only offering my time for when it would be most convenient for my schedule, and should have just called earlier in the week and had them come over when it was convenient for them before they leave.

I spoke with my friend today and I was asking what else I can do for their family and she just mentioned if I could help watch one of her boys so he could have some play time out of the house with other kids to keep his mind off of everything else it would be great for him and a great break for her mom and great for her to put her mind at ease. I just felt so guilty- because that is truly what I had been wanting to do, but I procrastinated it and now I won't be able to help for another week when they get back.

I don't know why I'm exactly thinking of this as a blessing- being reprimanded to do better doesn't feel like a blessing on the surface, but I guess I just feel that I am blessed to know what to do better next time and I really hope that I can rise to the occasion and not procrastinate my service.

One on One Time

I feel the Lord's kindness in my life today by giving me some quality one on one time with my girls. I've been trying harder to play more and more with them- now we definitely know how to play and often just play and play all day long, but sometimes I get caught up in doing the 'housekeeper' tasks and realize that my sweet girls are just following me around as I fold laundry and sweep and do the dishes etc etc. Not really the most fun for them. Drew always reminds me that we can do housework when the girls are in bed and just to play with them during the day. That is such a great reminder- and I'm so grateful for the fun playtime that we did have today and for a sweet husband who cares more about how happy all of his girls are than if every thing is exactly in its place when he gets home from work. Today was so fun to play with the girls together, but also one on one during the other's naptime. I know these are some of the sweet memories that I will cherish when their big and grown and I feel blessed for the time with each of them today.

A Weekend at Home

I feel very blessed for a fun weekend full of visitors. It is so great for Drew and I to spend time with family and friends and I especially like that we can share those memories in our home. I find myself struggling daily in making our home a place where the Spirit can be felt and people will want to come visit. I am very conscious of this and the choices that our family makes to either increase or decrease the feeling of peace and comfort that abides here. I really believe that Satan is real and that his power is real- and a lot of his efforts go to attacking the home: in big ways or even just little sneaky ways that take a while for us to notice. I feel blessed this day for a great weekend with visitors and for the spirit that was felt here, and for the renewed effort to fortify our home even more against evil influences.