Temple day

Last Lagoon 2015

Because He loves me.

Photo credit to little john. 

One morning a week or so ago, I was told that we were having family pictures that afternoon. I love family pictures and I love coordinating the clothes for family pictures. I always start with John's closet and start taking out what I like then I go down the line through everyone's closets and do the same, trying to keep a pattern in mind. So this was fun for me just not something I was expecting to do that day. (I got everything ready but by the end of the day we couldn't get all of us together at once so we had a couple more days before Rob took our picture.) 

Anyway, after I pulled everything out of closets, I had a couple things in mind that I wanted to finish it off so I went to Farmington Station and went quickly through GAP grabbing anything of the colors I was thinking of us wearing. Then I saw two totally different colors and bought a lot of that stuff too. I never planned to keep it but I was going to mix and match pieces with what I already had, to complete our ensemble. 

As you can imagine, for nine people this added up. Well, I went to return EVERYTHING.  Yep everything because I already had everything I needed except one shirt that little John wore but he didn't like it so I'm returning it too. Emily and I took the stuff in the bags out of my trunk to return 

and there was no receipt to be found.

This was a lot of money on the line and it was not okay to not have the receipt. So I prayed. and prayed. and prayed. and have kept praying for a few days. Then I asked John and the kids to pray that I'd find it. 

I knew I would find the receipt because Heavenly Father ALWAYS helps me find things. ALWAYS. I KNOW I can always count on that when I pray for help.

I was not finding the receipt and I looked in all of the same places over and over and over because there were only a few places it could have even been. I started to question if I was being taught a lesson for the frivolous spending. I started to feel heavy and weary and sick to my stomach that I was not finding this receipt.

After searching for days, and everywhere AGAIN today, I decided to look through a basket of scriptures we have by our front door. I looked there because I'd already looked everywhere else. While I was picking up scriptures and looking through the basket, the question came to my mind: 

"Why would I help you find this when you aren't reading your scriptures?" 

Immediately after this question, I answered:

"BECAUSE YOU LOVE ME."

I stood up immediately, turned around and bent down to pick up a small cloth bag I've been using for Ruby's diapers, wipes, books and snacks and I knew my prayer was answered. I knew because I felt it. I felt Heavenly Father's love for me and it lead me straight to the bag behind me, with confidence. And it was there.

Tears came to my eyes and I instantly fell to my knees to thank Heavenly Father then came here to write this down because this is something not to be forgotten.

He loves me and He loves you and He is ALWAYS watching us and wanting to help us and even when we are not doing the things He asks us to do, He will still help us and guide us,

BECAUSE HE LOVES US. 

I hope you feel that love and if you don't feel it, find that love. It's there and it takes YOU opening that door to feel it. His love is full of blessings and miracles and it's amazing.

(side note: I've been having a major struggle with scripture reading. I remember every single day to do it but for some reason I just don't. and there is no rhyme or reason to it other than life can be overwhelming and reading anything has not been relaxing or enjoyable. I've been having a battle with myself with this for quite a while now and all the things I know and have learned about the blessings of reading scriptures goes through my mind continually and I still struggle.)

Another side note, I have really missed writing here. I used to write my thoughts and feelings and as Kate said to me once "you write not just what you do in your day but how the things you do in your day have meaning". I've always appreciated her telling me that. I love you Kate.

Jacob is headed to Federal Way, Washington

Last homecoming 2015