sacrifice, a baby shower, and other warm fuzzies

Friday I spent my day in the car. . . It started with a trip to pick up frozen berries for myself and a few others in my branch. I needed to go to the walmart out there to find a gift for this baby shower that we didn't have in our local wanna-be super walmart. . .so I drew the short stick as it were to pick up the lot. . . I enjoyed my rather lengthy wait in line talking to a sister about life as a young mom and kid adventures. . . we laughed and the time seemed short as we pushed her young ones forward. . .mine were buckled up in the running van watching a DVD. She being braver than I. . .

Then on to find the Walmart with the high chair. . .when I walk through a real super walmart, I'm amazed at the selections, the grandiosity of it all. . .reminding myself of the things once taken for granted. . .we found what we were looking for and stopped at the McD's for lunch.

Back home again to make it back for carpool. Oh but first a quick trip to Jessica's school to drop off money that failed to make it into the backpack for needed and wanted items due that day.

Then to meet up with friends to exchange berries before heading out to pick up the carpool. . .one less child to pick up due to strep throat and I worry that my kids might pick it up. They've been a little sick - just congestion, no fever yet - I'm waiting (Lily finally registered fever this afternoon (Sunday) - doctor tomorrow?? more road trips)

Not long to rest for we needed to go to College Station to pick up pictures taken two weeks prior. They were cute - got more than planned.

Then off to Gattitown for dinner. Wish I had been more hungry. Don't know why I wasn't. Home again to fall into bed exhausted.

~~~

Saturday I prepared for the baby shower. This for a friend from Jhonny's work who is here from Columbia with her Venezuelan husband and having her first child, a boy. I've been planning for weeks and I really hoped some people would show up. Fortunately I knew that at least 4 of us would come since we were all assigned a part to put it together. We ended up with 10 ladies total not including the kids (mine) and my husband to hang out with the new dad to be while we ladies did our thing.

Tatiana got some great gifts and everyone was happy to finally MEET each other. Most of us have husbands who work with eachother, and we hear names, but rarely meet face to face. It was good to know of the others who endure the same long hours of missing husbands and other trials. . . It was good and I appreciated those who accepted the invititation to support Tatiana.

Afterwards, Tatiana's husband thanked me like only a Venezuelan can and I felt goose bumps. It was better than a thank you card - really. I wasn't thinking of myself at all through all this, but I guess I did plan it and though I didn't do all the work, I suppose it wouldn't have happened otherwise. He pointed that fact out to me which took me somewhat by surprise.

Perhaps because being a member of the Relief Society, I've taken this sort of thing for granted. Baby Showers, Meals, Service. . . It's like expected. . . The appreciation expressed was one of surprise and sincere gratitude that someone - practically a stranger would do this for them. This all caught me off guard and so when I said the pleasure was ALL MINE. . . I meant it.

~~~

This morning in church, we had one speaker. Rather than preparing his talk yesterday, He was in Lake Jackson wearing a yellow Mormon Helping Hands T-shirt to help clean up debris from Ike's aftermath. Regardless, his words were inspired. He spoke of our Savior and the atonement. He related experiences of how the atonement was applied in the lives of people he has known. He spoke of insights received in Temple service. His words seemed unrelated at times, but I knew better. Being led by the Spirit, he seemed to address one by one issues being dealt with by members of our tiny branch. Perhaps we were being blessed because of his rendered service . . .

I felt like the Spirit was truly teaching us - like we were in the presence of . . . I felt like I was sitting in the temple learning at the feet of the Savior. I pondered my own trials and wondered how the atonement could apply to me. As if on cue, the speaker addressed that issue and I found a little hope or at least a renewed knowledge of how well the Lord knows me and that he indeed knows how to succor my needs. He knows. Others may think they know, but only the Savior REALLY knows my heart. Even now. . .I've felt Him close today. I didn't realize I had been missing Him so much.

Then we just continued to be fed in Primary. C.G. gave his talk on prayer which was eloquent as usual. I'm not sure if it's his ability to deliver or his mother's ability to write, but his talks are always sooo good. I love listening to him read with that little country boy twang that reminds me of a Southern preacher. Sister Husher delivered her lesson on prayer and how Heavenly Father knows us by name. Even though she may not have felt like the message was being received due to some distractions and wiggles, it was a great lesson and I felt it. I love the simplicity of the gospel and the scriptures we read where the Lord called his servants by name. . .

So this afternoon, I've held my children a little closer. I lingered a little longer at my son's crib . . . I held my two year old a little longer. . . I hugged my six year old and told her I loved her. . . I kissed my husband goodbye as he rushed off to prepare for another job tomorrow. . . I'm blessed.

~~~

My husband just called to tell me his truck broke down and he's been waiting for a tow truck. All will be well, but it's certainly not convenient and my heart beat a little faster when he told me he was waiting for a tow - accident? Are you all right? No accident - just truck trouble.

Jess came to ask me if dad was alright. I said he would be. "Thank goodness for prayer," she said. See? Someone was listening in primary today. . .