Graditude

For a moment I would like to give my utmost respect to those who have served and helped my family through our tough times in life. Many of you have helped watch kids, make food, given words of encouragement, shown love, forgiven when it's hard to forgive, loving phones calls, helped improve our home, shared your muscles when moving, given quite unknown service, hugged when needed, sweet helpful prayers that were heard, etc. Many of you know who you are and many of you don't. Just a smile here or a welcome feeling when in a new situation have deep meaning for me. I am even grateful for others who have sometimes made my life sad at moments because of the lessons I have learned of forgiveness, being able to look for the good in others and learning a little humility. This mortal experience would not be the same without ALL of you. True joy would not be desirable without the good AND the bad.

One day long ago, I was feeling quite sad about living in a new strange land (Utah) and missing the friendly nature of our old place of worship in the beautiful Evergreen State. One morning I felt the desire to attend the temple after praying for comfort and peace that we were living where the Lord wanted us to live. I have a profound respect of the people of Polynesia and have only wonderful accepting experiences with them. To my delight, as I entered the temples chapel, there were several of these beautiful people sitting on the front row. As I approached the seating I saw a woman with a flower in her hair sitting on the end and she seemed to be in prayer, so I naturally headed for the row behind her as to not to disturb her. Before I knew it she said to me "sister, why are you going back there when you can come and sit by me?" With a large smile on my face and the welling up of tears I took the seat next to her where she proceeded to hug me and tell me that she was so happy to see me in the temple that day. The whole temple session this beautiful woman smiled at me and told me wonderful things. The Lord knew I needed to feel that acceptance at that time and He sent me and angel to remind me how much I needed to be here. My largest amount of gratitude is to my Father in Heaven for loving me through my toughest times. For the tender mercies of love and angels He sends us. It's our job to look for it and recognize it.