My Snow Storm Parable........

Tonight I am hurrying around trying my best (like most everyone else) to cram in the last of the Holiday rush. Much against my wishes, I had to go to Walmart this evening because I had to pick up pictures. So, not only did I have to step foot in one of my most unfavorite places, I had to also go during a more prime time of the evening (before the picture area closed).
Josh is at the church tonight, and K'Lynn is not home. Kandace has a friend over. Chaz, Me, Kandace, and her friend Savannah all headed off to Walmart with reluctance on my part. Although it was somewhat cold, the weather seemed fair enough to bundle Chaz up in a blanket, but not to have to also include a snow suit, a jacket, or a covered car seat.
Walmart was surprisingly O.K. However, when I came out, I was caught off guard. It was snowing. I felt some initial guilt. I had a light jacket on, and that was O.K. with me. But none of the kids were dressed for snow, including Chaz. Kandace had flip flops on (her own crazy choice), Savannah did not have a jacket, and Chaz was simply in a light blanket, and his clothes. I felt kind of guilty. Not knowing snow was coming, I had not prepared the kids the way they should have been. We quickly walked out to the car, and this was fine. As I put everything away, I realized I had Chaz, it was snowing, and I would need to walk across the slick parking lot to take the basket bake to the return area. I was reluctant and I contemplated just leaving the basket by my parking space. However, when I had gotten there, I had to pass by many parking stalls because of people that had done the same thing. I decided that my lack of preparation wasn't everyone else's problem, and that I should take the basket to the return area. However, I was feeling bad that Chaz would need to stay out in the snow longer. Right as I was struggling with this, I saw a man about my parents' age taking his basket back. I thought to myself  "Heavenly Father, maybe this man can take my basket back, so that Chaz can get in a warm car sooner instead of having to be out in the snow to make the return".
Almost immediately after my silent prayer, this nice man came up to me and stated: "You look like you have your hands full. I can take that back for you". I thanked him with tears in my eyes. A small act of service indeed, but it taught me so many things:
-First off, I would normally not have tracked off to Walmart with no coats and so lightly dressed had I known snow was coming. Sometimes, through no real fault of our own, poor human insight causes us to make decisions that may not be the best for us. These can be humbling experiences because these can be times that Heavenly Father can send someone else to help us.
-Secondly, If Heavenly Father cares enough to answer such a simple prayer, how much does he love me and Chaz? I'm sure in a perfect way and level that I am not even capable of understanding.
-Third, If Heavenly Father cares enough to orchestrate something so simple, surely he will ALWAYS guide us in the big decisions of life as long as we are living right. We can always have faith in this.
-Finally, this helped me to realize that there is no act of service too small to be meaningful to somebody.
Bless this man who performed this simple act of service for me. He did far more than just take my cart back for me. May Heavenly Father bless him for his kindness and willingness to listen to the promptings of the spirit.

Did You Think To Pray?

“Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him. …

“Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening.

“Yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies.

“Yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy to all righteousness.

“Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them.

“Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase.

“But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness.

“Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you.

I have recently began a new nursing job. I am working at an Instacare. I have been referring to it as "Modge Podge" nursing. We do EVERYTHING: I.V's, Stitches, Wound dressings, breathing treatments, straight catheters, blood draws, splinting, strep tests, and on, and on, AND ON.......

I went through a hug learning curve, and I spent time being certain I was one of the dumbest nurses on the planet. However, now that I am getting the hang of it all, I have realized that this is A LOT to know, and it is just going to take time.

However, Heavenly Father already knows, and I have felt his spirit so much, as I have thought to ask for his help there. One time, I had to start an IV. I went into the bathroom and said a prayer before entering the room. A textbook couldn't have described a more perfect vein, and I successfully started that IV. Another time, I needed to begin another IV. Same thing, humble prayer before, and I was able to effortlessly start the IV once again. Tonight I had to straight cath a baby girl. NOT THE EASIST THING TO DO ON MANY LEVELS. As I went to wash my hands, I bowed my head and said a quick prayer. I have never in all of my life had a prayer answered so quickly. Surely, I knew it would be answered. Why wouldn't Heavenly Father answer such a request. Surely he did. I know Heavenly Father answers prayers, but it is the speed at which these heart felt prayers are answered that is helping me to realize how prevelant Heavenly Father is in our lives. He loves his children so much. With the appropriate faith and purpose, he will ALWAYS answer our prayers.