Whirlwind Weekend - Chater VI - Spiritual Sunday and Tender Mercies

Today was a missionary farewell for one of Tuffy's friends.  He is also been one of Splenda's Young Men and we are good friends with the whole family.

Luka was also asked to speak, so they had Bubba, the leaving missionary talk first, then Luka, a missionary who has been home awhile.  Bubba also sang.  Incredible.  I spent the entire meeting bawling my eyes out.

And Luka's words?  Sometimes I feel so unworthy to be such an amazing person's mother.  Really.  He is a true gem.

After the meetings, it's kind of tradition for the family to host a get together where people can come visit, eat and say their goodbye's to the missionary.

Bubba's older brother who is a Marine was in town and we got to talking.  He is currently stationed at Camp Pendleton which is right there by the MCRD base.

Now remember, I have had on my mind the dilemma of taking Sissy.  On one hand, it's very important for her to be there, on the other hand there is a three hour portion of the actual ceremony that will be miserable for all of us to have to put her through.

I had been praying for a way to make this work.  For some sort of solution that would allow her to be there and a part of the two day festivities, but then allow for Splenda and I to enjoy the most special ceremony that would be difficult for her to understand and sit through.

As I talked with Bubba's older brother JS, I shared my dilemma and asked his opinion.  We talked, we discussed what to expect, and then we got interrupted.

When we rejoined our conversation, unbeknownst to me, he had taken his wife aside and told her of the situation.  As we resumed talking he verified the graduation dates with me and then offered to bring his little family to the base on that Friday and allow Sissy to play with them for the 3 hours of the ceremony!

Instantly my heart swelled with gratitude.  This was an answer to prayer!  It was a small tender mercy that my Heavenly Father granted me, and through the service of someone else.

It might not be a big deal to someone else, but it was weighing on my heavily.  She's a busy girl.  It's hard for her to sit still for very long and even harder to keep occupied regardless of the toys, treats or books you bring for her.  I knew it was a disaster in the making to drag her to the actual ceremony, but didn't know what else to do.

Not everyone can understand that kind of dilemma.  For some the answer is easy.  Leave her home.  She's young.  She won't remember.  Or.....between the two of us (Splenda and myself) we wrangle her and while we miss parts of it, we just do the battle for 3 hours.  On bleachers.  In the hot sun.

Neither of those options felt right or appealed to me

But Heavenly Father knew how heavy it was weighing.  He knew that while it might seem a minor thing, it was in reality a BIG thing to me.  He allowed the right people to be at the right place at the right time, and then they followed the prompting to offer assistance.

Tender mercy, my friends.  Just another reminder that God.  My Heavenly Father knows me.  Knows my needs and desires.  And then prompts others to serve me.

I left their home humbled.  Grateful.  Overwhelmed by their generosity.  Filled with love for them and for my Heavenly Father.   Inspired to find ways to pay it forward to someone else.  God's love shows through the service of others.  I want to reflect that love.  I want to be better.

Now, I guess it's time to make the travel arrangements and look forward to November 19th.  Which will be here before you know it.

And to AS and JS in Cali?

M-Cat and her family will love you forever!