I was super tired when I got home from work yesterday which led to a later nap and an even later bed time. Since I lied restlessly awake, I decided to catch up on Rach's blog catch up.
It warmed my heart and soul. It was so wonderful to see how much the Lord has blessed Rach for her faithfulness. And how much He's blessed her just because.
And it helped renew my own reassurance in Him.
I determined: I hope my readers are as uplifted by my blog posts.
So since it's been awhile, and it's always helpful for me to record His hand, here are some recent moments that attest to the goodness of God.
One of my dear friends was driving cross-country and so she stopped in with her cute family for the night. Some of my favorite moments included staying up way too late to just chat and catch up. I looovveed seeing how natural she was as a parent and the teamwork between her and her husband. (Even before they were dating, I always admired the companionable friendship they enjoyed.) It was easy to serve her low-maintenance, easy-tempered family and I'm grateful for her history-buff of a husband's good-humor and graciousness every time I had to answer his Omaha-related questions with "Let me look that up..."
The day before Laura's visit I got an unexpected text:
Nell: What are your 4th of July plans?
Me: Nothing.
Nell: The rest of the weekend?
Me: Nothing.
Nell: What's the forecast?
Me: (screen cast sent). What are you guys doing?
Nell: Maybe come visit you?
Me: Oh sure~! Come!
Nell: Want three little monkeys jumping on your bed?
Me: Yes please!!!!
I LOOOOVE family visits. And impromptu ones are the best! (The countdown is usually not so terribly long. *hehe*)
I was sitting in sacrament meeting, disappointed that instead of hearing these wonderful talks that testified of simple truths, my investigator friend kept having to excuse herself to tend to her two daughters. I reminded myself of the pep talk I got from two of my favorite college roommates and surrendered: trust the Holy Ghost, trust the Holy Ghost. She was still preoccupied by the second-hour, but instead, as I saw her in the nursery I realized: yes!!! This would be a great place for her to start!
I'm a big believer in self-development. And an even bigger believer when opportunities are free and help to pass the time at work. So I signed up for a two-day CPR/First Aid certifying course my university was sponsoring before the Independence Day holiday. The last time I was certified was before I was a nanny! So it was a great opportunity to brush up on things and revise updated practices. Particular highlights were:
- An engaging instructor that made the three-hour class each day go by pretty quickly
- Meeting more employees of BU and strengthening a camaraderie and a sense of belonging in my professional workplace
- Reminiscing on my young women summer camp days and realizing what a blessing it was that I'd already been introduced to a lot of first aid practices so it wasn't entirely overwhelming to cram a 12-week course into a 6-hour session
- Feeling the ease and confidence that comes from being well-educated when it was time to take the test.
- Passed!
Now reflecting on the blessings I've received lately (see, this is why reflection is important!), another highlight of my temple visit was an opportunity to be like Mother Eve. I had what seemed to be two opposing "commandments." So I pondered it out. I prayed about it. And then I made a choice. (Now looking back, it was the "harder" choice.) But oh how God consecrated that choice! *insert a bursting heart of gratitude*
I thoroughly enjoyed having the Zempos visit! There were many tender mercies scattered throughout their trip. They made it in good time despite the scattered thunderstorms. They were able to join me for our cultural food exchange young women activity. We got to try yummy Mexican foods. I took them to some of my favorite restaurants too. They arrived just in time to help me get rid of the surplus of food I had before it went bad. Despite the forecasted rainy weather, we had more sun than rain. This allowed for (free) outdoor excursions and sight-seeing. Our Independence Day festivities were simple but satisfying. We got to squeeze in a movie date and temple date for Mama and Papa. I still made it to my investigator friend's baptism. Other ward members pitched in to help while I was hosting my family. We got to use up the over-riped bananas for Sunday morning banana pancakes. And they'll be back next week!
A unique experience I've had since moving to Omaha has been being the "receiver" of visitors. (I feel like I've done a lot of driving so it's actually been kind of weird just hanging out in the comforts of my home waiting for the road trippers.) One kind of sad thing though, about having people, is when it's time for them to leave. You know that feeling when you've finally had to take down all your Christmas trimmings? Yeah, that's kind of how it feels... Thankfully, shortly after the Zempos departure, I finally caught my 언니 and chatted with her for a bit. And I feel like she's doing much better! (If I can't get a hold of her after a long while and when I do she's grumpy, I know she's going cuckoo.)
I've been wrestling with trying to do what God wants me to do: feed His sheep and trying to do what I want to do: get fit and be debt free. And I can't seem to figure out how to do both... I even fasted about it for this month and I still don't feel like I've gotten clear direction. But one thing I have learned is that when all else fails, just make sure I'm doing what God wants me to do. And so I did. Without even really realizing it. I was able to crawl into bed last night feeling like I was on the Lord's errand the entire day. And it warmed my heart so much! I conducted a meeting at work where I tried to emulate the spirit of unity and goodwill (unfortunately, sentiments not as common as I'd wish here-people can get very territorial); I had a nice long visit with my coworker that I feel like is important to our working relationship; and I finally got to meet our ministering sister (with my very best ministering companion) and I feel like she felt the love of God (whether or not she realized it).
Right now I'm kind of in this weird (not bad-maybe surreal?) place where I feel greatly blessed but I can't quite see the direction I'm going/the direction I'm being led in. Like I said, not bad. But definitely requires more patience, more faith. So I'm especially grateful for reminders through my own life experiences or others that assure me that God is good. He's aware of me and my loved ones. And like so many times before, as I trust Him, He is leading.
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