Where is my solice? Prepare for a long post.

Yesterday was fast Sunday (first Sunday of the month set aside by our church to refrain from 2 meals to pray and fast for a reason, person, or cause). I'm sure you probably figured out that I was fasting for an answer and/or miracle to our trial I previously posted about. In which you would be right but I also included in my fast some people close to me that are having hard times as well.

I have a dear friend of close to 40 years whose husband has been recently diagnosed with stage 3 skin cancer, another dear friend that lost her sweet mother this week, a nephew I babysat as a little boy and his wife lost their precious little baby girl, and a dear sister in our ward who lost her 16 year old daughter last year at this time. Each of us are going through different trials and need the tender mercies of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I pray for each of them still.

I would like to share my thoughts and feelings with you about the tender mercies that I pray for and I have even witnessed these last few weeks since we were thrown for a loop with our trial. I have witnessed the Priesthood of God working in full force in our home.

 I just couldn't seem to catch my breath or come to  terms with what was happening in our family, I couldn't get out of bed or go about my normal routine at all, everything felt hopeless. Don't get me wrong I still have a firm testimony in the Atonement and I don't doubt that the Lord will bless us but, basically I knew I had to rely on a higher source to get me through this. So, I asked my husband and my youngest son to use the power they have been endowed with to give me a Priesthood blessing. As they anointed my head with oil and pronounced a blessing of healing, peace and comfort upon me, I felt the Holy Ghost descend upon me with the warm blanket feeling that I needed to go about my everyday duties.  A few short days later I watched and listened as other blessings were performed by my two sons who placed their hands upon their fathers head and pronounced a blessing upon him, which he has so often done for them. Followed by another anointing and blessing bestowed upon my oldest son by his father and 2 younger brothers. As we all embraced after, we felt strengthened and truly blessed. Sure, the trial is still with us and may be for a very long time but we felt strengthened and knew our Savior is aware of us and He sent His Comforter to be with us.

The prophet Alma taught, “Whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day” (Alma 36:3).  

As part of Heavenly Father's plan of redemption, all people experience adversity during their lifetime. Trials, disappointments, sadness, sickness, and heartache are a difficult part of life, but with the help of the Lord they can lead to spiritual growth, refinement, and progress. (True to the Faith,book)

I listened to a song from James Taylor on the radio the other day that sums up what life has been like for me and maybe you too.

Fire and Rain (read below or listen here)Fire and Rain

Just yesterday morning they let me know you were gone
Suzanne the plans they made put an end to you
I walked out this morning and I wrote down this song
I just can't remember who to send it to

I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you again

Won't you look down on me, Jesus
You've got to help me make a stand
You've just got to see me through another day
My body's aching and my time is at hand
And I won't make it any other way

oh, I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you again

I’ve been walking my mind to an easy time
My back turned towards the sun
Lord knows the cold wind blows it’ll turn your head around
Well, there’s hours of time on the telephone line
To talk about things to come
Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground.

oh, I've seen fire and I've seen rain
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you, baby, one more time again, now

Thought I'd see you one more time again
There's just a few things coming my way this time around,
Thought I'd see you, thought I'd see you fire and rain, now

Thought I'd see you just one more time again.

I have seen sunny days that I thought would never end and I know I will again. I have felt compelled to be humble through this trial but I won't allow it to happen again. I know, I know that I can and will get through this and I will never be compelled again.

"And now, because ye are compelled to be humble blessed are ye; for a man sometimes, if he is compelled to be humble, seeketh repentance; and now surely, whosoever repenteth shall find mercy; and he that findeth mercy and endureth to the end the same shall be saved. And now, as I said unto you, that because ye were compelled to be humble ye were blessed, do ye not suppose that they are more blessed who truly humble themselves because of the word?" Alma 32:13-14


I/we will be blessed if we remain faithful and "doubt not" what the Lord can do! Thank you for your thoughts and prayers in behalf of my family!