Look for the Miracles

March 6, 2022

I read a thought the other day about how we need to remember that the little things that we take for granted are usually small miracles that we forget to thank Heavenly Father for. After I read that thought, I started seeing other sayings and thoughts about the same thing. I think that Heavenly Father wants me to open my eyes and see all the miracles, the small and important things around me. This is another quote that showed up - "Life is a series of thousands of tiny miracles. Notice them." Then another, "It's so easy to take important things for granted. Whether it's the source of our electrical power, or the source of our spiritual power. ...When we look for and choose to see God in our own lives, everything changes! Choosing Him invites light, hope, and greater vision. So today, take some time to slow down and really see God. The more you look, the more you'll see!"

I know that in life, we (I) get caught up in all the things that need to happen, the to-do list, the meetings, the shopping, the serving, that I forget to take the time to stop - just stop and see the miracles around me. I decided to stop more often and just take in the beauty and miracles that our Heavenly Father has given to me.

As I was driving to do "Women of Faith" this week, I saw a beautiful sunset. I pulled over to take a picture and as I did, I noticed two young girls, jumping and playing in the grass, laughing and also taking pictures of the sunset. They were having joy in the moment and it brought joy into my life. 

I know that Heavenly Father is aware of us (me) and what I need. A few weeks ago, I mentioned in the letter that I'd been in sort of a funk and was missing my grandkids. Well, we had to go to the doctor for Doug (still trying to figure out the headaches) and a lady with two small children, ages 4 and 3, sat down by us. She was so worried about the kids disturbing us and kept telling them to be quiet. The little girl sat next to me and leaned over to me and whispered, "I like unicorns." I pulled up pictures of unicorns on my phone and we laughed at some of them. Then her little brother came over and said, "I like Spiderman." So, we looked at pictures of Spiderman. The mom was worried that they were bothering me and we assured her that we were missing our grandkids and that I was loving spending time with them. We looked at pictures of Princesses and baby Yoda. They brought so much happiness and joy to me in that waiting room. To me, that was a tender mercy from my Heavenly Father. Others might say it was a coincidence, but I don't believe in coincidences. Elder Bednar has told us that he believes there are no coincidences when it comes to God and Jesus Christ showing their love for us and I agree.

I invite you to take time this week to see the small miracles in your life.

I think maybe I needed those thoughts this week because my thoughts, like so many of us, have been on the people of Ukraine, as they are navigating the war that was started by Russia. My thoughts and prayers have been for them and for the good people in Russia who are suffering because of the choices of their leaders. I love the stories of faith that I am seeing coming from Ukraine. I saw pictures of Mass being held in a bomb shelter. I've seen messages from Ukranians telling how they've seen miracles because of our prayers. Prayers work. I had the thought the other day of David and Goliath. Ukraine is David and they are fighting hard to keep their freedoms and they haven't forgotten their God. Please keep praying!!!

As far as the mission, Doug has been making lots of trips to pick-up gravel, drop off scrap metal, etc. Elder Wilcox is now serving in the mechanic shop and Doug is enjoying that. I am still cleaning. We are now cleaning the historic site basements. It's a yucky job but someone has to do it. Lots of cobwebs, dust, spiders but thankfully, no dead or live mice. Haha

Friday night we had E/S Koop over for dinner before they left for home. I will surely miss them.

Training this week was full of "Never, never, never, ever, ever" and "Always, always, always" as we were taught from the Missionary Handbook. We'll leave it at that. Haha 

I am thankful for a loving Heavenly Father and for my big brother, my Savior, Jesus Christ, who loves each of us. They know us personally, know our wants, desires, needs and will always be there for us. I am so grateful for that knowledge.

President and Sister Dalton during training. This is not only a recipe 

for a good marriage but a recipe for a good life.

Sister King, me, Sister Smith

Sister McDougal, Sister King, me, Sister Smith

Sisters McDougal and Smith were doing the videoing.

Sister King was Emma and I was Sarah/Narrator.

A welcome sky as we left the temple this week.