Tender Mercies

Some times things happen at just the right time.  Yesterday  Carla came over because friends need each other. While we  were visiting and discussing our feelings about Davaleen and some things that we have learned from knowing her there was a knock at my door. It was Kellie with a darling jar of "hugs" for me.  I really appreciate HER Hug.  Hugs mean so much to me and I needed it! I really appreciate my good friends.  Carla was getting ready to leave and her hubby called and said that she had received a letter from Davaleen. Dodododo....Wow!  I thought I might also get one since Carla and I had gone in on a baby gift for Davaleen's granddaughter and I did but it came the next day.  I think many received Thank You's from Davaleen after hearing of her passing.  In a way it was like a tender mercy.  It meant so much!

Jodi text me Wednesday night to see if I could get together with her today.  I was going to watch my grands but she suggested meeting for breakfast and so that worked out perfect.  I invited a few others to join us and Kathy was able to.  It was nice visiting with the "sista's" and expressing our feelings for Davaleen.  I am so thankful for these ladies and they love they show to me! 

Davaleen meant so much to us.  Davaleen had once shared a story about this group saving her life.  She was at a really hard time and these ladies took her in and made her feel loved and included.  A friend of Dave's had told her that there was NO Way she would be welcomed into this group but she was with open arms.  I'm so glad we all grow up and the past is simply that...the past.  It doesn't matter what club we were in or who was a cheerleader and who wasn't...there comes a time in life we are all equal and those things don't matter.  I don't know why they do when we are young but I suppose it's all part of growing up and learning.  

I remember Davaleen telling me about the first time she met me.  I "popped" in on a class at Kathy's that she had invited me to. I knew these ladies would be there and I was super nervous.  I hadn't really interacted with any of them but knew who most of them where.  I was on the drill team with Lisa but that was all the interaction there had been. Oh except that I had recently asked Jodi to speak at our Young Women's and she had and we had met and talked there.  I pretended to be confident as I knocked and opened the door and walked into where they were crafting.  I smiled while my heart beat like a drum.  I looked around and recognized many of the faces smiling back but there were a few that I didn't recognize and Davaleen was one of them. (Carla was another)  Dave told me that she was wondering who this (me) gal thought she was but how she quickly opened up her heart and let me in.  I was scared to death that day but I'm so glad I took a big breathe and just pretended that I wasn't.  I love every single gal I have interacted with at Kathy's craft classes.  We have become "sista's".

I got home to my grands cute faces and lots of hugs.  Parker ran down the hall and attacked me with a very big hug.  I was in the bathroom when Macie got to me and I could hear her whining a little as Kimi held her and told her I would be right out.  Her smile and hug was magical.  It made my heart feel warm and wonderful.  Mya always gives me great hugs and those hugs are just what I needed today.  Just having my grands around was comforting.  I love them all so much.  I love that they enjoy coming to our house. I think it's because I let them do pretty much what they want.  Macie has found the sucker drawer and loves getting out suckers for everyone.  She is really good about keeping the wrappers all in one pile. ☺  She makes me laugh.  Today I did have to finally take the drawer out and put it up so she couldn't get any more suckers. She didn't seem to mind and liked the cubby where the drawer had been and even put her cookie there.  I enjoyed having them over and enjoyed a nice visit with Natalie when she came to pick the kids up.

I needed to go pick up my car from being serviced and stopped by Carla's to see her new hot tub.  Her and Robin were relaxing in it and had been for hours.  I think I would have preferred it cooler since it's so hot outside.  While I was visiting with them for just a minute both Kimi and Jared called me to see if I wanted to go to Jurassic World with them and Jaydan.  I knew Jaydan had invited them to go but now they were inviting me because Larry was hauling hay and suggested that they did.  I didn't really care to go to that show but decided that I'd better just go since.....you never know what tomorrow will bring.  It was fun going with them.  Jaydan is a kind son and brother and paid for us all and wouldn't let us pay him.  I bought the drinks and so it was about even for us...Kimi and Jared got off good.

I'm glad I have wonderful people surrounding me.  I need others in my life and enjoy being part of theirs.  I am thankful to Heavenly Father for all the tender mercies he gives us each day.  I know he loves us all so much and has a plan for each of us.  I'm thankful for these hard times only because they make me examine and evaluate my life.  I feel like I get a little push forward to do a little better.

Kindness Matters

Last night President Tenney stopped by and visited our family.  That the only time in my entire life that someone from the Stake Presidency has ever taken the time to visit our family...it was nice.  He shared a Mormon Message with us about two boys finding some boots and a jacket of a farmer who was working in his field.  The younger boy thought it would be funny to hide the farmers boots and then hide to watch his reaction.  The older boy looked at the boots and jacket which were both really worn.  He told the younger boy that from the looks of the boots the farmer was probably poor and instead of hiding the boots maybe they should leave a silver dollar in each boot.  That's what they did and then they went to hide to watch the farmers reaction.  As the farmer put on each boot and found a silver dollar in each he was puzzled and stood up and looked around trying to figure out where the money had come from.  He knelt where he was and said a prayer out loud to Heavenly Father.  He told how his wife was sick and there wasn't any food for his children.  He thanked the Lord for blessing him.  The boys heard the prayer and had tears running down their faces because they felt so good.

Being kind to others does make us feel good.  President Tenney encouraged each of us to find "our silver dollars" and to share them with others.  He complimented us for doing kind things already but asked us to dig a little deeper because he was certain there are more "silver dollars" we haven't discovered yet.  I totally agree with him.  There is always more that we can do to help others.  We could smile more, or acknowledge others as we pass.  We could compliment others. (we think nice things but we could share those thoughts more)  We could write a note to someone or do a kind deed.  It is up to each of us to discover our "silver dollars".  They will be different from each others and I think it's important not to compare.  Just do the things we are inspired to do.

I had these thoughts this morning and posted them on Face Book:

"Everyone has purpose and every life is important.  I think at times we all think we wouldn't be missed but believe me that is NOT true!  Every single person makes a difference to many!

It's so important to be kind and treat each other as if it were our last day or their last day because it just might be!

Last night a visitor came to our house and encouraged our family to look for ways and even pray for ways to reach out and be kind to others.  Everyone is blessed through kindness....kindness is magical!  Our acts of kindness will be different because we are different but each act of kindness will matter!"