It has been sprinkling small amounts of blessings and little miracles around our home for a few weeks. Simple blessings of having people pick my Sunday mornings up at work, so I wouldn't have to go in. I have not had to work a Sunday in almost 3 months. Each time I plan to work my shift I put out one last plea and someone answers it. What a blessing.
We had a tough few weeks financially when Warrior went to college and then Mr. Incredible had to take 3 days off for an interview. Essentially, that was 2 wks without being paid. Because he was out of town for a week, it did not offer the opportunity for me to work extra hours. We took a hard hit financially. Timing was wretched. It fell during a time where we needed to purchase college essentials, gasoline out there, and school for our other 3 children would start. I was internally freaking out. I didn't know how we would do it, but I knew we were worthy of some instant blessings and I never complained, openly or silently to Mr. Incredible or our Father in Heaven.
The heavens were opened above and blessings didn't just rain but they poured. For years we have received gift cards as presents, thank you's etc. I do not do well with gift cards. We always forget to use them, they get lost or tossed out, or we just forget to bring them with us.
I cleaned out my desk and went through each gift card online to determine the balance if any. Between department gift cards, certificates and restraunts. We totalled almost $700.00. So, if you see us dining out or grabbing an ice cream or at the movies. Please don't assume. We are spending our gift cards. What a great time to use these.
It adds normalacy back to the children's lives. It helps them to forget that times are hard and good times are to come eventually.
I also decided it was time to cash 4 checks that I have been saving for a rainy day. The rainy day came. WE also found $150 in food certificates! Way cool, because things were looking sparse again and the children have still yet to accept powdered milk.
Being self sufficient and self reliant was something that I held up proudly and on a pedestal. However, we have reached our depths. We are not self reliant or self sufficient. My parents have helped us tremendously. We would have sunk months ago.
The epitomy of the depths of darkness came when I had to swallow all sense of pride and turn to the church for a food order. I felt like I was going to die and my heart ached. It literally made me physically sick that I realized I would need to place this call. I did it for the welfare of my family. Had it been only me. I would still not have made that call. AMAZINGLY, Father in heaven felt my prayer and answered by showering me with these cards. After viewing the total on the cards my heart lept! I was so thankful that we had not used those cards.
I could be self reliant and spend those cards on everything that I needed to get my children the necessities for school.
I document this more for our records. So, that we can look back and be so thankful.
$35 to Omega. I used this towards Dash's sneakers.
$100 to Target. Beauty got a birthday outfit,with shoes. This works, for her birthday, school and church! TRIPLE SCORE
$40 to Target- Purchased school supplies, and Sweetheart's school uniform shirts.
$300 to Walmart - Purchases Dash's school uniform shirts, school supplies and food.
$150 in restraunt cards. (when you want to feel normal, again)
$30 in movie theater cards. (will probably go to the girls so they can go out with their friends)
Those checks which totalled almost $300.00- We will use this for gas
$150 food certifcates to a grocery store.
Mr. Incredible found $100.00- I put it there and I needed to only use a part of it, and forgot about the other $100.00
In my camera bag I had $65.00, that was my photo session fee.
I was overwhelmed with pure joy and astonished with amazement that my deepest desires were once again answered. Father knew it was important to me to have the necessities for my children to start school but more important that I would never ask. He provided a way. I think it was sufficient enough for Him that I humbled myself to ask for help. I think he knew it would send me over the edge if I needed to ask for anything more.
WE had an amazing stake conference. Our Stake President spoke about being in the 4th watch and we needed to excercise patience and Christ would answer. I had remarked to Mr. Incredible that I felt we were in the 4th watch. It has been 7 months and I have been so positive and so faithful and hopeful that I am beginning to become impatient. More desperate. He leaned over to me and whispered, " That means we are in the third watch! It means you are just now getting to learn the concept of patience and endurance." I was shocked. I felt like I was slapped. "WHAT?" He continued, " You have to learn patience now." Dumbfounded, I stammmered, " I would have become impatient 3 months ago, had I known!!
Can my waistline take the 4th watch? Can I mentally? I don't know. But, I do know that this is not the end. The light will come and when it does I will be ready, open and receptive to doing whatever it is He would have me do. I'm so thankful for my lessons as a youth and in the YW program. Press forward and go forth in faith!
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