Once upon a time (the best way to start a story) a nice, quiet, sweet girl fell in love with a rambunctious, funny boy.
They got married, and filled their home with seven WONDER-ful children. Here are some of their adventures.
As we peek at our family, this is what we see:
Child #1 is a woman of 21 is serving in the Arkansas Little Rock Mission,
Child #2 is a man of 20 is serving in the Florida Orlando Mission,
Child #3 is a young man, age 18 is serving in the Georgia Macon Mission,
Child #4 (the middle) is a young lady age 14, a freshman,
Child #5 is a young man age 12, who just started middle school,
Child #6 is a boy age 10, who just started 5th grade,
and last, but not least
Child #7 is a girl age 8, who just started 3rd grade.
(I know that I am starting in the middle, but I have to start somewhere.)
June of 2013 is when everything began to change. We dropped child #2 off at the MTC. By August his sister knew she wanted to join him. She began her mission December of 2013. May of 2014 is when child #3 received his call. He joined his two older siblings in July 2014.
Money had never been a huge issue. Hubby was self employed, hard working, and resourceful. The business started to slow down in the middle of 2012. It didn't seem to be a problem at the time. Hubby worked a little harder, we tightened up our belts, and things were fine.
By July 2013, the bottom felt like it had dropped out.
I don't really know if I was in denial, too busy living life, or if the changes were subtle, but by December we were in real trouble.
Here is an excerpt from my Journal dated December 3, 2013
We have been struggling financially for the last few months. The combination of decreasing income, providing for one missionary, preparing for another, and medical expenses has been tough. Hubby is working as much as he can and has several things in the works. We have sold some items we no longer need and tightened our belts with the family budget. We are also trying to sell our 12 passenger van (the WONDER wagon: as light as a loaf of bread, and shaped just like one). Nothing seems to be happening. I pray all the time for strength. I began to pray the van would sell. Nothing. Then I changed my prayers and asked for ideas and inspiration on what I could do to help. I talked to lots of people and made calls, etc. I spread the word and did all I knew how. Nothing. Sunday I included work and the van in my fast. I told Heavenly Father that I had done everything I knew how and now I was relying on Him to help us. I have felt peace and I know that I have been strengthened. I am dealing with life and its' present trials much better than I would have in times past. I am doing my best to live with faith and trust. #3 needs to get his wisdom teeth out. I do not want to delay it. It is one of the first things he needs to do so that he can start on his mission papers. I scheduled it for December 20, even though I have no idea how we can pay for it. Yesterday Hubby got a letter in the mail. he opened it last night at 10:00 p.m. Inside was a check for $1,000.00. I began to cry. Hubby and I knelt and offered a word of prayer and thanksgiving. I was overwhelmed. I felt so humble and grateful. I also felt embarrassed that we are so much in need. I was even a little upset that this was the answer to our prayers and fasting. I wanted a different answer. I did not sleep well last night with all these thoughts. This morning I had another thought. If Heavenly Father had answered my prayers in the time and way that I wanted...I would not have been blessed by this miracle. And it is a miracle! I am going to pay $100 tithing, $300 for the first payment on #3's teeth, $200 for the down payment on #1's mission bike. I was going to use the rest to pay off some of our doctor bills. When I called the clinic to find out our balance, I was told there was no balance. Our account had been paid in full! Another miracle!
We had another blessing over the weekend. Hubby had paid for a booth at the Christmas show. He soon realized he did not have the time or money to spend on preparing for the show. He called the people in charge, apologized and told then he would not be there. We knew there was a no refund policy. When we went to walk through the show on Friday the owners gave him back all the money.
I have decided to cry all day.
Might as well.
I have been truly blessed!
Since that time we have continued to receive many blessings.
We have not contributed to the missionary fund for many months. There has always been plenty and to spare. We know of family members who are helping, ward members, friends, and many others that we do not know.
It has been very humbling. I realized how prideful I am.
I have always heard that tithing money is the Lord's money. I have felt that is true. The next step in that thinking is that they are the Lord's missionaries, and it does not matter who pays, or where the money comes from, it is all the Lord's.
The latest blessing came last night.
Our Bishop and his wife came over. They asked if they could come in and talk with us.
The Bishop then explained that he had received a phone call from someone who wanted to pay for the remainder of #3's mission... that is 22 more months! I was left completely speechless.
The Lord will provide.
I know many others have blogs where they share their missionary letters. I have not been able to, until now. I felt it was private, personal, and I could not share. I selfishly felt they were "my" missionaries, they are not. They are the Lord's missionaries. Not only are we all being supported financially through the help of others, my mind is filled with thoughts of the support our family has received through out the years: lessons, camp outs, high-adventure activities, friendships, examples, love, words of encouragement, prayers and kindness. With this latest miracle, and show of love and support, I feel selfish if I do not share.
I need to share my testimony of a loving Heavenly Father. A Heavenly Father who hears our every need, and blesses us in the best possible way.
I need to share the testimony, growth, love, and Spirit that the missionaries share with me.
So many of you are supporting them, it is only right that you see the blessings too.
"Thank you" will never be enough.
I hope you enjoy this journey with our family, and find joy in the WONDER of it all.
