I had an interesting experience the other night - a simple matter, really. But it deeply impressed me. I was helping a nurse bathe a patient on the ICU - a man that had come in with an acute MI (a massive heart attack). His room was full of tubes and pumps and he was gravely ill. We bathed him, lotioned and gently turned him to change his sheets. Tears welled in the corner of his eyes, and he reached for the nurses hand, feebly. His voice was barely audible when he whispered the words, "Your name is Kathy?" "Yes", she said. He replied, "Thank you, Kathy. Thank you, Kathy. You are God's angel to me." A surge of electricity went through me and I looked up at my nurse, my own eyes tearing. I thought of papa expressing those same words to a nurse just weeks before he died. It occured to me why I am going through the insanity of becoming a nurse and why it has always been a part of me - this human reponse to a need. It all made sense in that brief interlude of time. I'm so grateful that I have had this blessing of school and knowledge in the journey to a profession that is both heart-wrenching and heart-rendering. I've thought of my own mother in her profession as a nurse-aide and how loved she was. She is my mentor.
I see the Lord's hand in many places in my life - in my little grandchildren, in my two married daughters who live the gospel so simply and beautifully in their lives, in my children at home who bless me every day with their laughter and antics and charm. And an amazing husband who is a Godsend and who pulls much more of his weight than he ever should have to, at times. I am grateful for a warm home, and sunshine and warmth through the windows. At times when I am overwhelmed, I feel numb to the Lord's mercies that are everywhere but they are there - right in front of me. Without my family, I am nothing. The Lord continues to be mindful of us everyday of our lives. In simple, beautiful ways... we just need to pull away and look for them.
Vicki Warner
Where are My Family's Contributions?
My initial thought and desire when I started this blog spot is that everyone would - hopefully at least once a week - post to it and share a blessing you've received (how you saw the Lord's hand in your life this week). I thought it would be a way to stay connected and share in each other's lives spiritually. I didn't want to be the only one sharing my experiences. The invitation is still open. If you read this let me know your thoughts. I'm sure everyone is so busy that this may be one more thing you would feel compelled to do. That for sure isn't something I'd want you to feel!!
My Miracle
Any one who reads this and knows my trials and challenges of the last 4 1/2 years will be able to understand the elation and gratitude I feel this night. Today I am free from the burden that has hung over my head for what has felt like an eternity. Today I felt without question, the Lord's hand in my life. Not only today but over the past over four years. I have learned so much from this challenge. I have increased faith, learned the meaning of patience, have understood the power of the atonement in a very real way, and know what it means to find answers directly from the scriptures (the scripture I turned to this morning was: "'behold I will go before you and be your rear-ward; and I will be in your midst, and you shall not be confounded" - amazing! just what I needed to hear!) I've learned the power of fasting and intense prayers. I have come to understand how much the Lord knows each of us and knows of our struggles and trials. I have felt the love and united prayers of my family and friends. Without which, I could not have endured these trials.
This morning I went to the temple with Wendy Watson Nelson (Elder Nelson's wife) What a blessing that was. Her wisdom and insight was so comforting and reassuring. She was the angel from Heaven today that the Lord provided for me to offer peace and comfort and reassurance that all would be well.
If we can't learn from our trials they are for naught. I hope I've learned sufficiently from this and other challenges I've had, to be able to share with others. Tonight my heart is full of gratitude and love.
My work
I did not want to go to work today. I had way too much to do and wanted desperately to stay home and get some personal things accomplished. I looked at my schedule of clients and knew these good people needed some help and direction and I really couldn't call and cancel the day. So I went, albiet a bit grudgingly. As I sat in each session and listened to each of their stories of struggles and pain, I felt, without question, the Lord's hand directing me in their healing process - ... and I knew I was where I needed to be. It's not all about me - and what I want to do.
I thank Him for his guiding light in this work I do.
I saw the Lord's hand in my life today when a good son in law and granddaughter climbed in my attic and got down a very cumbersome Christmas tree - then took the time to put it together in addition to moving furniture so it would fit. And then a daughter who sacrificed some pretty precious time to come and help decorate the outside of the house and clean up after dinner. These stories in some form or another could be told every day of the help we receive from awesome family members.
My Mother
I'm in a reflective and melancholy mood this Thanksgiving morning. It started with watching Tyler Wilkinson's documentary on the BYU channel while I was preparing food our meal this afternoon. The documentary was about his journey in life after his accident when he was a senior at Dixie High which paralzed him; the documentary ended with an interview with him today. A few minutes later I picked up the newspaper and read an article about a stroke survivor who 'fights his way back - one blink at a time'. Of course I can't help but think of my dear mother, who, just one year ago yesterday had a stroke while staying at my home. I remember those anxious moments driving to Cedar with her in the car, unable to speak or even move. She slept all the way down and I worried that she wouldn't make it until we got to Cedar. That was the same day as my mother-in-law's burial service in Cedar so I was anxious about that too.
Today I'm thankful for those 6 extra months I had with my mother. They were sweet tender, unforgetable months. I certainly can see the Lord's hand in her life as well as ours during those months. To prolong her life and then to have her daughters with her at her passing was indeed a sweet tender mercy of the Lord. I am grateful for my mother. Thank you, Mother for the blessing you were in my life. I miss you.
How I've Seen the Hand of the Lord in My Life This Week:
I see the Lord's hand in my life everyday. I need to do better at acknowledging it. Here is just a sampling of how I've seen His hand in my life this week:
- A phone message from my son, ERICK, telling me he loves me. The Lord knows I pray for him every day. This was a tender answer to a prayer
- The opportunity to help LORI in her well managed home and kitchen is a blessing to me. Being amazed at how well she copes and manages with the limitations she deals with on a daily basis - with no murmuring.
- Watching Lori and Kelli interact with one another while at Lori's. The love they demonstrate to one another is very touching.
- KELLI's generous and giving nature
- JODI, weary and worn from working a new CNA job while still in training, managing to be the best mom to her dear Sophie and Caleb. She brought them over tonight (they are spending the night since Jodi has to work at 6:45 in the morning) all bathed and ready for bed, lunches for school made, everything in order and in place. Then kneeling by their beds and praying together. A sweet and tender scene
- DOUG picking up the slack this week around the homewhile I was literally not home all week. He cleaned and did laundry - even folded and put away all my laundry, then took my car in for repairs. The best part: NO COMPLAINTS! The Lord has blessed me with a good husband
- The Love my GRANDCHILDREN show me. I love their hugs and kisses and sweet words. They are all such GOOD kids!
- It is evident that I see the Lord's hand in my FAMILY! I love them so much!
I shared with a colleague at lunch today how I had seen the Lord's hand in my life repeatedly though some significant trials I had experienced (and am still experiencing to some degree!) I also shared an experience in our Sunday School class on Sunday when the instructor asked the question: "how have you felt Jesus' love and concern for you?" I believe it is important to share our testimonies and experiences of the Lord's hand in our lives - when prompted and appropriate, to show to Him our gratitude and acknowledge that we DO know He is there and aware of us. [In a future post I will share more of my experience.]
I felt the Lord's hand in my life last night while I was laughing with my husband. I know it is not because we are a "perfect couple" that we are still happy, but that the Lord has blessed us and made our marriage stronger through all the obstacles and challenges that we have faced together over the past 8 years. I know He has sustained us and helped our love to grow for one another despite being apart this year and it is nothing short of a blessing that we are still able to laugh and enjoy life and relish the time we have together.
Karen Phipps
Invitation to Share Your Thoughts
I've been thinking about this for a long time - ever since Elder Eyring's talk a year ago. Even though I haven't quite got the hang of the blog spot thing, I think I can still get this started. If you feel so inclined, add a thought each day - or how often you'd like - about how you've seen the hand of the Lord in your life this day. It will help us be aware how much He is really there for us, and we can be inspired by others' comments as they share.
Elder Eyring's Talk
How Have You Seen the Hand of God Reaching out to touch you or your family today??
In his October '07 conference address, Pres. Henry B. Eyring urged us to find ways to recognize and Remember God’s kindness. For several years, he would take a few minutes each day to record how the lord had touched his life. He says:
“I wrote down a few lines every day for years. I never missed a day no matter who tired I was or how early I would have to start the next day. Before I would write, I would ponder this question: ‘Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?’ As I kept at it, something began to happen. As I would cast my mind over the day, I would see evidence of what God had done for one of us that I had not recognized in the busy moments of the day. As that happened, and it happened often, I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done.”
The rewards of writing down his experiences were profound for President Eyring. He explains: More than gratitude began to grow in my heart. Testimony grew. I became ever more certain that our Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. I felt more gratitude for the softening and refining that come because of the Atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ. And I grew more confident that the Holy Ghost can bring all things to our REMEMBRANCE – even things we did not notice or pay attention to when they happened… We come to see the hand of God more clearly, so clearly that in time we not only REMEMBER Him, but we come to love Him and, through the power of the Atonement, become more like Him.
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