Highly Favored

Posted by Guest | June 19, 2009 | 29 Comments

Today’s guest post comes from Michelle F. Michelle is a full-time mother of two little boys and a part-time voice teacher. She has an English degree with a theater minor from BYU and lives in Provo, Utah. She sings like an angel and served a mission in Bulgaria, where her mother was born.

It happened again. We were teaching Tanya a second discussion in her tiny apartment, and she corrected my companion, Sister Harper. I shot Sister Harper what I hoped was a supportive and comforting “I’m-sure-your-verb-tenses-are-just-fine” look, but she didn’t appear bothered at all. I was, of course, supremely pleased that no Bulgarian had corrected me mid-sentence. But, to be fair, I was half Bulgarian.

And then it happened to me. I was buying train tickets and a total stranger corrected me (the nerve!). And then the bread man did, and then a member at church, and on and on. What was going on? Were my language skills getting worse? Why was this happening? After a few months of frustration, I sank to my knees. What was wrong with me? I cried and prayed, hoping my language skills in Bulgarian wouldn’t be a total disappointment to my mother, who I was sure was expecting me to come home speaking like a native.

Soon a stunning realization gently came over me. No one had corrected my language before, because they hadn’t understood me before. Their correction was evidence that they could at least guess what I was trying to say. It was a supreme act of love to stop and correct me–to help me get to where I wanted to be.

Since then my life has been full of stunning, humbling, and loving corrections. When I couldn’t get pregnant with a second baby, for example. I had a thermometer in my pillow case so that I could take my waking temperature and wait for a subtle increase to announce that I was ovulating. I had an entire shoe box of herbs, tinctures, and homeopathic remedies that all promised abundant fertility. I prayed. I fasted. I went to the temple. I was going to make this happen! I cried and pled–why would He give me this desire if He wouldn’t fulfill it? Give me my baby! But something else happened. Instead of changing God’s mind, He changed me. He calmed me down. He filled me with peace. Several strong, brilliant, single and married women came to me and told me of their unfulfilled desire to bear any children at all. I started playing more with the child I did have; holding him, kissing him, reading to him. And eventually I told God that if I only was only able to have one child, I was so grateful for the one I had. And the gentle realization came again: I am in charge of when a child comes to your family, not you. In pure love, the Lord had corrected me again.

And then financial challenges swallowed us whole: a combination of moving and paying two house payments, surgery and doctor visits, and dramatic job changes within a tanking economy (to name a few). We prayed. We fasted. We made goals. We visualized. We went to the temple. We worked. And worked. And worked; month after month. And in all those months encircling, angelic generosity from others was a daily experience. People who I had thought “had it all” opened up to me and shared their own formidable troubles. I no longer cared if I or my children were wearing the latest fashions, or watching the newest movies, or playing with the latest electronics–I was free not to bother with keeping up at all. I looked at the homeless people I saw differently; they were real people with lives and stories and the line between us was blurring. And then the stunning, gentle realization came to me during a sacrament meeting: Money is just one resource. You have a thousand others.

I began to open my eyes to them. My friends I had relied on: Emily–who bartered, walked and strategized with me daily. Kathryn–who could sense when I was depressed and would immediately offer a lunch date, or free babysitting while I went to the temple, or cheerful and tearful encouragement. My husband–who would leave love notes around the house, wash a sink full of dishes, dance around the kitchen with me, or put the kids to bed at the drop of a hat. My children–who would take my hand and lead me off to admire a new creation, or curl up in my lap to a book or movie, or giggle those light, golden giggles. I was made more aware and grateful for relentless optimism, hope, creative outlets like writing and singing, family, good humor, good food, restful sleep, peace and unseen angels taking care of the details and fabric of life that I could no longer control.

And the loving corrections continue…

I honestly used to think that obedience to the gospel naturally equaled financial stability, good health, lack of conflict with family members and so on. Didn’t challenges mean that I was being punished for some undiscovered wickedness? Wasn’t ease in one’s life a sign of the Lord’s favor? But then I remember Nephi’s troubles, challenges, and heartaches (some of which were never resolved) and he had called himself “highly favored of the Lord.” And I remember that there are those who want to help me get to where I want to be, who love me enough to correct me, and I hope it happens again.

What realizations have your challenges taught you? What assumptions have you made that the Lord has lovingly corrected? Please share with us.

Category: Daily Special, Slice of Life
Tags: adversity > correction > faith > fear > lds women > perspective > sisterhood > trials

Comments

29 Responses to “Highly Favored”

Josi
June 19th, 2009 @ 7:10 am

it sounds so cliche, but I’ve been course-corrected several times with the fact that no success will compensate for failing my family and that when the Lord’s answer is “No” it doesn’t mean He doesn’t love me–though that doesn’t keep me from pouting in a corner about it.
Sandi
June 19th, 2009 @ 7:55 am

Absolutely stunning insight. Thanks for a gentle reminder.
Michelle F
June 19th, 2009 @ 8:12 am

Josi-I don’t think it sounds cliche at all. It’s definitely a big challenge we face as modern women. I think the Lord knew and wanted intelligent, talented, and capable women to train and model righteous living for their families. It’s natural that we would feel compelled to contribute to the outside world and use our amazing talents there as well. We just need to keep that line of inspiration open to see what the Lord wants us to do–even if it’s a “No”.

I think this quote by Elder Neal A. Maxwell applies to all of us whether returned missionaries or not:
“Many young women are serving missions. Many are preparing to serve, not because they aren’t married or have nothing else to do, but because they have a desire to serve and therefor are being called to the work. The reason so many are going is because in the next generation, Heavenly Father will be sending his Priesthood Army to the earth. And he wants to send them to mothers who have been properly trained and taught in the gospel.”
Faith.Not.Fear
June 19th, 2009 @ 8:14 am

Like yesterday, when I was reminded again of my need to watch my cholesterol?

And how I realized that, no matter how great the meds I was given, if I don’t do my part of exercise & diet, I am limiting myself?

And how I can apply that to my gospel living — no matter how great the Atonement, if I don’t do the repenting and growing, I am limiting myself?

And how, taking offense because your husband corrects your taking a second helping when you know you really shouldn’t , is kind of like taking offense when Heavenly Father corrects you?

Both corrections are offered in love, and are meant to help you, and taking offense is limiting yourself, once again!

And all that because of a cholesterol test!
Jennie
June 19th, 2009 @ 8:21 am

What a great reminder! One of the most important corrections I had was about my marriage. My husband and I were having lots of troubles and it really seemed to me that they were all his fault. I thought that with all my heart. If only he’d change, we would be happy.

Out of the blue one day the Lord spoke to my heart. He let me know that I was the one who needed to change. I needed to appreciate my husband and begin respecting him again. I especially felt like I needed to be more affectionate towards him.

I was incredulous. Me? Change? But I knew that I needed to listen to the Lord.

What happened to our relationship was almost miraculous. Once I started to change my behavior and my attitude our entire relationship blossomed. How grateful I am to have the Lord’s guidance!
Heidi
June 19th, 2009 @ 9:02 am

Oh, Michelle! Thank you! I like to say that if the past 7 years didn’t turn me into an apostate alcoholic, nothing ever will. My life was completely shattered twice even though I was doing all the right things–attending the temple, going to all my church meetings, serving faithfully in my callings, praying, reading my scriptures. There are moments I remember, especially during 2002-2003 (I fondly call it my Year From Hell), when I knew with complete clarity that everything was going to be ok. I didn’t know the how or the when or the why, but I knew the what. Good friends let me have a few moments of peaceful sleep in their apartments, family members reminded me to eat, the bishop who accepted me into his ward even though I wasn’t in the boundaries, the young friend who protected me from gossip and awkward questions…so many reminders that I was still doing the right things and that I was still loved.

As I became stronger and able to do more, I learned what the “more” was I needed to do. I learned that I had a choice: I could let these things make me hard and bitter, or I could learn from them and become closer to my Heavenly Father and Savior. I’m still not entirely sure why I had to go through those horrible years, but I know that I’m solid as bedrock in my faith. I’ve seen the hand of the Lord guiding and shaping me into who He wants me to become. I am finding joy in the journey and realizing that I’m going in the right, although unexpected, direction.

God is good.
Keli
June 19th, 2009 @ 9:24 am

Michelle,
Beautifully written! I love to read things that validate, and inspire at the same time. Thank you for sharing!
Nicole
June 19th, 2009 @ 10:07 am

Michelle,
First off, let me say how pathetically grateful I was when you talked about Sister Harper’s butchering of the language, not Sister Hough’s! Though I was the “Senior” companion, I learned so much from you in the time we were together! I am grateful the Lord guided us to be companions right before I went home. The impact you had on me was profound, even 11 years later! You are truly one of the Lord’s Chosen, and I love you.

Now about the rest of your insights. I too have had a difficult field to plow, and the harvests have often been unexpected (when the heck did I plant THAT?!), but I have learned that kumquats are just as tasty as potatoes under the right circumstances. I think Heavenly Father throws these challenges our way to make us THINK about why we are here…instead of just tripping merrily through the Flower Patch of Life. If that Flower Patch has some piles of manure for us to step in every once in awhile, well, we become a bit more careful where we put our feet, right? And remember that manure, while stinky and unpleasant, also serves as rich nourishment that makes the flowers grow.

You, Michelle, are a true Daughter of God and one of my heroes! I love how you are able to be open to “gentle promptings” from our Heavenly Father. I have to be cudgeled over the head several times before I listen, and as such have probably gone through some unnecessary challenges. I know in the never-ending fight against Satan you will stand strong as a “Highly Favored” warrior, and I will be right there with you (possibly with some bumps on my head and manure on my shoes, but there!) because we know at the end of all of this lies Paradise (which for me currently is 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep). ZZZZZZZZZZ, I mean, Love, Nicole
Angie f
June 19th, 2009 @ 10:14 am

I have been awash in bitterness the last several days. My children are pesky. My dead tired work too much husband’s employer has broken substantial financial promises and my poor husband is at Girls’ Camp because other priesthood brethren broke their commitments to go. These are minor problems; I know this, but I haven’t been able to make the bitterness stop. And then I found some notes I made at the bishops’ retreat several months ago, one of which seems to blend so well with this post that has made me cry: “Hard times teach us to pray. Easy times should give us time to ponder.” and then my question from these same meetings, written and not answered then either “What do I need to change so I can hear what the Lord is telling me?”

I know my life has not gone according to my lofty plans on so many occasions and each time, I have eventually come to the tender realization that the place I went instead was a gift the Lord gave me so that I would have the skills I would need for the next experience. I wish I could have more faith in that knowledge when my course begins to correct anew.

Michelle F., I love that E. Maxwell quote, maybe because I have 3 little sons and because they are teaching me to love the story of the stripling warriors in a whole new way. But also because my parents are burying a dear friend today. She was my age (39); her children are little and she taught them well. She told them again, tenderly, from her hospital bed, of God’s great plan and their place in it. She was able to call down such great peace and testimony from heaven that when she passed away, her daughter said “Good bye mommy, I will see you in heaven” as if her precious mommy were only dropping her off at school.

I so dearly hope that I am allowing myself to be taught and molded in such a way that I can teach my fledgling priesthood solders and their dear sisters so that they can carry that sort of power and faith and testimony within them. Thank you for the post; thank you for the comments. They are helping to cut through the bitterness and help me begin to learn. Thank you.
Cecily
June 19th, 2009 @ 10:49 am

Mishka,
Your insights hit me a little differently today than they would have a week or two ago. Today, I realize that, though I still have challenges (and chastenings), the Lord is waiting to see what I do now. Will I help others in the same way that I have been helped many times over the past six years? Will I sacrifice from my little to help those with less? Will I apologize for my (sometimes chidish) behavior? Hopefully I meet the long- and short-term challenges in a way that makes me a better, kinder, more Christ-like individual.
Thanks for sharing!
Shauna
June 19th, 2009 @ 11:07 am

Michelle,
Beautifully written and expressed. Wholeheartedly, I love your willingness to share experiences that have been tritely coined “painful”. When we pass through a painful and soul stretching experience, and then choose to turn to the Lord for relief, what a miracle it is that he helps stretch our souls and give us greater wisdom, insight, and compassion to help us become more like him. Just like a full time mission, the unfolding and flowering of real life and sometimes unpleasant experiences, requires us to reach upward for help and what we receive in return is the miracle: a new heart, deeper understanding, the ability to walk with another in greater compassion. Thanks for your honest account. I laughed and cried at the same time having had many of the same experiences. You are my dear sister!
Carol
June 19th, 2009 @ 11:27 am

Michelle, your post inspires me. During the early years of our marriage, we knew poverty (job lay-offs), significant health challenges, and then the challenge of long work hours combined with demanding Church callings (husband: Bishop, me, Stake RS President). Each trial strengthened our faith and and deepened our love for the Lord.

Then crushing adversity hit: Our daughter was tortured and raped by a trusted neighbor. Later, she attempted suicide and nearly died. Once so strong in her faith, she no longer believes in God and has left the Church–even had her membership records removed.

We would never has chosen this trial, but we have learned about the power of unconditional love, the atonement, and forgiveness in ways we would never have learned before. I now understand better how deeply God loves His children–even those who stray.

I do not understand the meaning of all things but I know that God loves His children. I better understand that Christ came to “bind up the brokenhearted and proclaim liberty to the captives.” I have great faith that God some day–in this life or the next–heal those who are so terribly wounded by the evil acts of others. And I have learned to forgive myself for being
unable to protect my daughter from serious harm, finally realizing that daily scripture study, prayer, and regular temple attendance will not always protect our loved ones from the bad choices of others.
corktree
June 19th, 2009 @ 2:22 pm

Lovely post with great perspective.

I’m corrected everyday with a reminder to be more patient with my children. It is a constant in my prayers but I still forget. So about once a day in the afternoon, if I’m capable of listening at the time, I hear it whispered in my ear…”Stop being so frustrated. They’re just being kids, and they’re YOUR kids. Enjoy them, even when they drive you nuts” It almost always works if I’m not in a stubborn mood, and the rest of the day then has the potential to have magical moments.

I’m grateful that Heavenly Father is still willing to correct me when I keep making the same small mistakes. (I just hope I will one day figure it out on my own, but I’m glad to accept the help until I do)
Kathryn P.
June 19th, 2009 @ 2:58 pm

I love how you took a phrase from a scripture that I’ve read a zillion times (1 Nephi 1:1) and made me want to ponder that phrase. I never felt highly favored by the Lord when I was young. In the foolishness of youth I thought my pretty friends from peaceful, happy families were obviously the straight A students in the pre-existence. Maybe that recurring nightmare that I forgot to set my alarm for a college final was actually leftover angst from my first estate! Now I consider all my adversities to be precious gifts from a loving Heavenly Father who knew what I needed to learn and experience to truly be happy and peaceful. I’m thankful for the spiritual depth, wisdom, and Christ-like love of my close friends who have also been blessed with adversity in their lives. I’ve seen those same highly favored attributes in the women who have commented today.

Michelle, your thousands of other resources reminded me of Elder Wirthlin’s conference talk “Come What May, and Love It” and the principle of compensation he discussed. Perhaps the principle of compensation appears in the talents and gifts we are given. You have been abundantly blessed in the writing, singing, teaching, cooking, empathy, and optimism departments. Thanks for using several of those talents to bless our lives today…
Michelle F
June 19th, 2009 @ 3:25 pm

Beautiful friends.
Thank you for your kind words and comments. It’s humbling to hear what you’re all going through, but inspiring to feel your light and love as you keep moving upward.

Sandi, thank you.
FNF, it’s funny how corrections from those closest to us can be so annoying (but so right!) unless we look to the motive–pure love.
Jennie, beautifully said. I just had a dear friend tell me that I’d be calmer if I replaced all those negative visualizations in my brain (I just KNOW he’ll say XY or Z–he’s SO selfish!) with positive ones (I’m sure he’d be happy to watch the kids tomorrow.). I’m buoyed up by your success story!
Heidi, your words spoke right to my heart. I have also been struck with the insane wisdom that everything will be OK, though I have no idea how.
Keli, thank you so much.
Nicole, I love you! Our time on the mission was and still is a complete inspiration to me. You have an intensity and a power in your love for people (so I’m sure they won’t even notice your feet!).
Angie f, your comments are BRAVE and COURAGEOUS to me! No problem is minor when life isn’t going how we planned. Wendy Watson Nelson taught a seminar where she challenged her listeners to take a question to the Lord on their knees in prayer, and then to open the topical guide (or even just open the scriptures–whatever you are prompted to do) and wait for the spirit to inspire them with words to look up. Have your journal handy to write down the scriptures and your feelings and block out at least a 1/2 hour. You will get your answer.
Cecily, “Will I sacrifice my little to help others with less?”. I LOVE that! I knew a gypsy on my mission who hadn’t eaten for 3 days, and when I brought her food–she fed me first. When I asked her why, she answered “If I give, I will always have.”
Shauna, YOU were and continue to be one of my angelic miracles. I love you.
mormonhermitmom
June 19th, 2009 @ 3:36 pm

amen
m&m
June 19th, 2009 @ 5:02 pm

Gorgeous post. Thank you.
Proud Daughter of Eve
June 19th, 2009 @ 5:03 pm

And amen.
Proud Daughter of Eve
June 19th, 2009 @ 5:08 pm

Brain a little more in gear now – I’m reminded of the quote “Whom the Lord loves, He chastises.” I’m also reminded of something I heard once to the tune that we imagine God is making us into cozy little cottages but that He has grander plans and is making us into mansions. Dang but it hurts when He takes out a wall! But it makes it easier to bear when you realize He’s just putting in a whole new room – or even wing.
Jaime Scott
June 19th, 2009 @ 7:05 pm

Michelle, I agree with Nicole that I feel so blessed to have served with you. The porr girl needed so much love after serving with me the bratty little greeny I was who knew everything. You taught me much then and now. It is interesting the trials that we face. I has my life planned from early childhood that I would graduate from high school, get married right away to my prince, have babies right away and lots of them. Then live happily ever after. Then here is what really happened. I graduated from high school. Attended three years of college. Served a mission in an unforgettable life changing place. Graduated from college. THEN married my prince that I had loved from the tender age of 14. Then got pregnant, BUT lost the baby never to be pregnant again. For the next 7 years I would only dream of being a mother and ache each day I wasn’t. Then I realized that the Lord could not give me what I wanted most because it was not the right time for me. But He had been blessing me all along and the greatest blessing was being able to watch my darling nieces daily and be a mother in that way. Then out of the blue was prompted to adopt, a whole family. So the Lord performed countless miracles to send me 8 beautiful wonderful children all at once. That does not happen often but I was given a blessing soon after they arrived that I had been chosen to be their mother. See, that is something the Lord knew 7 years ago that I had to just have faith. Now a year after having my children I no longer remember the pain that I had to experience then to make me a better mother now. I had no way of ever suspecting the great blessings He had in store. Thank you for reminding me of the blessings I have been given after much trial. You were always amazing and even more amazing now. I wish I could hear your voice singing the song you would always sing to me walking down the streets of Pazardjik, Bulgaria. Ahhhh the memories. Love you.
Melissa M.
June 19th, 2009 @ 10:08 pm

Michelle, this was a beautiful post. I have received many loving corrections in my life, and they have helped me become stronger and learn empathy. One that I’ve experienced recently, like you, is financial challenges; I’m learning, once again, to prioritize and let go of the “stuff” in my life. It’s liberating. Though I don’t know what the future holds, I am learning to trust in the Lord, and I feel His hand in my life on a daily basis. I, too, feel highly favored.
Michelle F
June 19th, 2009 @ 10:46 pm

Thank you again my darling friends for all your love and light today.

Carol, thank you for your powerful testimony. You are right: there are things in this life that we are powerless to control. You showed us today that when we feel that God has abandoned us, and that the jaws of hell threaten to swallow us and all we hold dear–the only thing that will save us it to recommit ourselves to Christ, even when we wonder if He’s there. The good news is–He’s always there.
This scripture gives me hope:
“Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.” Isaiah 50:11
Remember that the story isn’t over yet.
Corktree-wise words. Children do bring magic into our lives if we let them.
Kathryn, of all the angels in my life, YOU have been the one to consistently carry me and fill me with hope. Thank you for all your light,love and wisdom. If I’m lucky–I’ll grow up to be like you in some small way.
Mormonhermitmom, m&m, and Proud daughter of Eve, thank you for your love and support. I think we’ll like where we live in the eternities!
Jaimie Scott, your eight miracles are beautiful evidence of God’s power, grace and love. And the most wonderful thing of all is your testimony that “I no longer remember the pain that I had to experience.” God’s peace is a powerful eraser.
I love you, too.
Good night beautiful friends.
Michelle F
June 19th, 2009 @ 10:54 pm

Melissa M, it’s interesting how freeing it is to let the “stuff” in our lives go, isn’t it? The covenants we make in the temple are a great way for us to practice letting them go. We cannot take “things” from one world to the next. We might as well get used to them feeling a little temporary.
I don’t know what the future holds either, but God does and he loves us, and that’s good enough for me.
Sage
June 20th, 2009 @ 12:26 am

As usual, reading this post and the comments has made me cry. I mourn with those that expressed their times of hardship, especially Carol. Three of my sisters were abused in our home by a foster brother (through a church program). The effects of evil choices of others linger throughout my family. Solace can be found nly through Christ’s atonement.

I have especially learned to allow my husband to correct me without going ballistic. It has taken many years, but I’ve matured enough to see myself through his eyes–to trust his love for me and his ability to recognize my faults. It is still hard to hear, but now instead of hardness of heart, I try to respond with a broken heart (or what I like to think of as a broken open heart, instead of a proud and closed heart).

Thanks, Segullah and Michelle, for this sisterly forum where so much is shared that enhances my desire to live the gospel. Truly we are sisters in Christ, each struggling to work out our salvation. What comfort it is to be able to share our insights and experiences with each other. Love you all.
Anon
June 20th, 2009 @ 2:58 am

Expect the unexpected! That is where I am at right now.
Life never seems to go to plan but somehow it works out. I truly do not understand what is happening often but am very slowly learning to go with the flow.

My husband quit his job earlier this year, it has caused a lot of heartache and worries, also some rather unkind judgements from ward members. He is still unemployed. He did it for us and for himself. He could not go on with the stress, and with being away from his family so much. He felt strongly that he needed to be at home and not away most of the time. In a weeks time he will become the Bishop of our ward. The stake president said that he had wanted him for months but could not give him the call while he was in his job because of the stress that he already had. Now I feel peace that he trusted in the Lord when he made his desicion. I still do not know when he will get work. I hope the ward will be kind to us as a family and that the judging will stop. Who knows, it could get worse.

Expect the unexpected is becoming my mantra. At the beginning of the year I had no idea of all the changes ahead. We all have lives that are messy and things happening that we would never choose. I am trying to be kinder to others now much more because I know I need it in my own life. Each day is a learning experience, the hard thing is to rejoice in the difficult days. We could all do with some more peace and calm I think. I have wonderful friends who help and care far beyond what they know. Also, I love Segullah. I find so much inspiration here. Thank you to all who share.
Faith.Not.Fear
June 20th, 2009 @ 10:04 am

Thank you all for your experiences, and testimonies!

Last night, as I lay reading the Book of Mormon with my teenager, I discovered something: if Lehi hadn’t left it all behind and obeyed the Lord’s direction, first, they would have been destroyed with Jerusalem. Second, by leaving the gold and precious things behind, he helped “provide the way” for Nephi and his brothers to get the brass plates. Third, imagine Joseph Smith reading of Lehi’s sacrifice and obedience — knowing someone else did it and was blessed would make it easier to do.

When we are willing to follow the Lord’s direction, or correction, we open the way for us to be blessed, in the way He knows is ultimately best for us.

“Oh it is wonderful, wonderful to me!”
Sue
June 20th, 2009 @ 10:34 am

When hard times hit, I always used to wait impatiently for life to “get back to normal.” I finally realized that the hard times and challenges were “normal,” and that the experiences I was having on earth were exactly the ones I needed…the ones I signed on for. And very, very “normal.”

This new paradigm has really helped me meet challenges. I guess it all comes down, for me, to having an eternal perspective. And, of course, remembering Who’s in charge. And that He’s rather good at His job.

=)
Becky E.
June 24th, 2009 @ 11:32 pm

Michelle,
Wow, you are a talented and captivating writer, just as you captivate in person with your colorful, hillarious, validating, deep, and I-love-the-way-you-say-stuff style. I love you my dear friend. Thank you for touching my heart with your heartfelt story. Keep it coming!
Michelle F
June 25th, 2009 @ 1:22 pm

Sage, I agree with you. Christ IS the only answer.

Anon, love to you and your husband in this new phase of life. I hope that those judging you will stop and put their energy into something positive. We have so much capacity to do good in us, I’m always amazed by how easy and how fast we can really help each other. Why do we waste time in judgment?

FNF&Sue, The Lord really does know best and life will never be “normal” apparently, oh well. That would be boring, anyway.

Becky, you’ve always amazed ME, oh mother of twins! I love you, too.