God Knows Everything

I don't have time to write everything that has been going on the last few days. If I did, you wouldn't believe it anyway. My husband and my mom know and they both laughed. Yup, it's probably pretty funny.

Anyways......

One of the things I was asked to do this week was mend a pair of dress pants. The missionaries brought it over and said, "Sister, can you fix these? They have a hole in the crotch." A new member had purchased a dress suit at Goodwill, but discovered the hole.

Seeing as how this is a part of my calling, mending dress pants, that is, for missionaries and others, I said "Sure!"

When I began to examine the pants, my heart sank. Not only was there a hole in the crotch, but the fabric was worn and torn away from the seam. Which means it wasn't going to be a simple, sew-up-the-seam kind of repair.

The other morning as I was saying my prayers, pleading for strength for the day and telling Heavenly Father what I had to do, one of which was to repair the pants.

Then it came into my mind exactly how to fix the pants. So I just fixed them exactly as I was shown.

First, I ripped open the crotch seam. Then I took a tiny piece of fusible interfacing and fused it to the back of the fabric where the hole was. Then I used my darning foot and stitch and sewed the heck over the hole, the patch and the pants. Then I sewed the crotch seam with a heavy duty stitch.

Did I know this?
No.

Heavenly Father told me what to do.

So if you are ever in a fix, and you can't figure out what to do.

Pray.

Circle of Sisterhood

As I was witnessing my daughter giving birth last week, I had a profound moment.

Circled around her, as she was struggling to bring forth life, were her husband, her nurses, her doctor, her sister and her mom.

The thought came crystal clear to me that all of those individuals, except for her husband, were women.

We were a circle of sisters, literally surrounding her with love, encouragement, empathy and strength to accomplish her difficult task.

It seemed as if my mind opened, looking to the past, as a circle of sisters surrounded one of their own during her travail, encouraging her, wiping her brow, tending to her needs and encircling her with love and support. I could see my grandmothers, my great-grandmothers and beyond gathering around one of their own to inspire and assist during one of life's most important events.

We were adding link in that long chain of sisterhood that has been going for centuries.

Penetrating to the depths of my being was the realization how much we girls need each other. We have a unique bond like no other; sisters, daughters, mothers, and girlfriends.

May we always circle each other with love, encouragement, support and strength.


interestingly enough, as I was working on this post, TL came in to proudly show me his "wound" received yesterday while paintballing yesterday with a bunch of business associates. Don't ask.

Quite a contrast.

Not Just an Ordinary Umbrella

To the untrained eye, this may look like an ordinary beach umbrella in a stand. But to me, it represents inspiration. Please don't mock my little story.

I have a strong belief in answers to prayers. Years ago, I read a book that completely inspired me, and I have never forgotten some of the things written in it, but I can't remember the title! It was the story of a lady who had one baby, two sets of twins, a set of triplets, and another single baby. She told of how she managed and how she received answers to her prayers. This was more than 25 years ago but I have never forgotten one of her stories.

She said that our Heavenly Father loves us and he is interested in what we are doing. Things that are important to us, are important to Him too. She said our Father knows ALL things-has all knowledge of ALL subjects. She said that one time she was struggling to make a pair of drapes for her house. She couldn't afford drapes in the store and she found some inexpensive fabric. She then prayed about it, asking for help in making the pinch pleats that she had no idea how to make. She recalled that some ideas came into her mind and she proceeded to make the drapes, and they turned out great!

Shortly thereafter, she was speaking with a professional seamstress, who made drapes and other decorative items for homes and began discussing with her the latest drape-making project. To her amazement, the process that the professionals use to make pinch pleated drapes was EXACTLY the same process that came to her mind as she was praying about it.

So here's my little story: I have wanted a large umbrella for my pool for YEARS. I have looked and looked and they are SO expensive. I really wanted to have one for our family Memorial Day fun in the sun party to inaugurate the pool season, but they all cost over $200 for the stand and the umbrella. Things are tight right now-what with one returned missionary and one getting ready to leave! So one morning as I was saying my prayers, an idea popped into my head!

Why not make a stand out of PVC pipe to hold up the beach umbrellas that we had already stashed in our garage. They are only used once or twice a year-but they work just fine. So off I headed to Lowe's. My original idea didn't work, but as I stared at the containers of PVC pipe, I figured out how to put one together! It worked perfectly! All for about $20.

So now I have my pool umbrellas, and a stronger testimony that God loves me and my prayers are important!

Happy Earth Day!

16 Verily I say, that inasmuch as ye do this, the fulness of the earth is yours, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and that which climbeth upon the trees and walketh upon the earth;

17 Yea, and the herb, and the good things which come of the earth, whether for food or for rainment, or for houses, or for barns, or for orchards, or for gardens, or for vineyards;

18 Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart;

19 Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul.

20 And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man; for unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not to excess neither by extortion.

D&C 59:16-20

I'm grateful that a loving God has given us such a beautiful earth to provide us with all that is needed to sustain us physically.

I believe that it is my responsibility to magnify the stewardship of the tiny piece of earth that I have been allowed to have, to beautify it, to make it productive and lovely and useful for myself and my family.

I don't agree with all of the "green" philosophies that are out there, but I do feel a responsibility to keep my corner of the earth beautiful and not waste the resources that I have been blessed with.

I remember years ago making a goal as a young women not to litter the environment and that goal has stayed with me throughout my life. I have tried to teach my children to respect their environment and not trash the outdoors. I hope they have absorbed those teachings.

Happy Earth Day!

Now go plant something!

joy, [joi] n.
the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation.

I recently "met" a new blogging friend, Joy For Your Journey, and I enjoy reading her stories and uplifting moments. This has caused me to reflect on what has brought me joy this past week......

• having a husband, sons, son in laws, father in law and father who are worthy priesthood holders, being willing to exercise that priesthood at a moment's notice.
• receiving insights when attending the temple
• sweet cheeks to kiss and little arms to hug
• hanging out with my teenagers, and realizing they are going to be ok.
• making yummy food out of something i grew myself
• one-on-one time with a child
• so blessed with a lovely home and surroundings
• being able to create for my home and family
• my callings
• saying a prayer in Spanish

When I start having my own little pity party, remembering my joys sends that pity out the door!

Si, se puede

I am taking a deviation from the world traveling to share this because it has totally inspired me. May it inspire others who take a moment to listen.