Plant the Seed

We're all running on fumes at our house. We've had too many rehearsals/meets/performances/school assignments and not enough time for chores/rest/calm. It's showing up in how we talk to each other. Too much grumpiness and contention, not enough kindness.

 This is one of the things I was pondering on Sunday before church. I was praying about what we need to do differently. Specifically, I was praying about what I could do differently as the mom.

As the first members of our ward stood to give their testimonies in sacrament meeting, Topher leaned over and told me that he had a new testimony to share. I grabbed a tiny notebook out of my purse and started writing down everything he dictated into my ear. As soon as he finished whispering to me, Cooper stood up to share a lovely testimony about sustaining President Oaks as the new president of our church. Then Topher shared his testimony that we'd written down. I was so moved by what they both said that I decided I would speak too. Sophie and I stood at the same moment. I motioned for her to go first. She and I both spoke about General Conference. The first thing I said when I got to the microphone was, "I promise I didn't know we were all going to speak today."

We still need to make changes at home, we still need to be kinder, we still need less contention. But hearing my kids bear their testimonies on Sunday was a tender mercy. They're growing their faith, and they're not afraid to share it. We may not be doing everything perfectly, but what we are doing seems to be producing positive fruit.

I needed that reminder.

This is the testimony that Topher had me write down, I didn't correct anything:

A few days ago, my prayers have changed a lot. And I know how they changed. It is by the power of Jesus Christ and my family. It started at my brother's birthday. I was thinking if I could be kinder. And then I thought that my prayers could change. And then, a few later, after Easter, I said the longest prayer that I've ever said. It was about Easter, General Conference, and the Holy Ghost. Since I've been praying more I've been kinder. I bear my testimony that I know that Jesus's love is eternal and that whenever we pray the Holy Ghost always answers. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Excused Absence

Our school district gives election day off from school. That means we all slept in this morning. After two late nights in a row, I was very thankful for the additional rest. I got up, took a warm shower, and came downstairs to make breakfast. I was just about to start pouring pancake batter onto the griddle when I had a sudden realization: I didn't post on the blog yesterday.

ACK.

I scurried upstairs, grabbed my computer, and began typing this.

Why did I miss a day after not missing any in nearly thirteen years? Great question. I kept thinking about posting yesterday, but there were more pressing matters on my brain. Mainly, Cooper's BYU application was due at midnight. He and I had been up late on Sunday night editing three of his five essays. Additionally, on Saturday he discovered a problem. His physics teacher had been sent, and subsequently filled out, the wrong recommendation form. That meant that his Freshman year seminary teacher, who was waiting to fill out the "Other" recommendation, couldn't. He also realized the third recommendation still hadn't been filled out, though he was told it would be last week. Cooper sent his physics teacher an email and explained the situation. The teacher graciously filled out the correct form, which solved part of the problem.

Then Cooper had to call the admissions office at BYU to ask them to clear the needed form.

On Monday.

While he was at school.

After getting permission from his teacher, he called BYU. He was number 93 in the waiting list. He opted to enter his phone number to be called back instead of staying on hold.

And then he missed the call.

He got back in line, this time he was number 151. He again chose the call back option. Bryan decided to jump in as a backup option and was number 153. After two and half hours on hold (and handing the phone off to me since he had to go run a meeting for work), Bryan's phone won the race. I chatted with a sweet BYU student and explained the situation. She said she would send the issue to the application team so they could clear the form. She also said they were moving quickly, but it might take up to two business days.

Which meant Cooper might miss the deadline.

I got off the phone and reported to Bryan, Cooper (via text), and Peter. Peter's immediate response was, "Well, all we can do now is pray." And he was right. I said a prayer and felt a quick burst of peace. I sent a few messages asking for additional prayers.

In less than an hour Cooper got the message that the form had been reset and was open again.

Cooper and I were driving home from the high school when he found out. The joy and relief we both felt was tangible. Within minutes of that message he learned that one of the two outstanding recommendations had been submitted.

All that was left was the Other recommendation and his last two short essays. He knocked the first one out in ten minutes. It was the best he had written so far and needed minimal editing. He spent a few hours at the Cross Country Senior dinner, then came back and wrote his final essay. This was his hardest essay. He wrote three totally different versions. Bryan and I both joined him in the editing process.

He finished his essay, the final recommendation came through, and Bryan paid the application fee. At 11:29 pm, Cooper hit submit on the application.

I fell into bed just after midnight, the blog totally absent from my brain.

While I'm sad that I missed posting (as Sophie said, "Welp, looks like you need to restart your streak), I am so thankful for the prayers and tender mercies that took place yesterday. Whatever the outcome of his application, we felt Heavenly Father's love during the application process.

Thy Pow'r Throughout the Universe Displayed

After a heartbreaking weekend for members of my faith, I consider the glorious sunset we had yesterday to be a tender mercy. Sophie ran outside with my camera and captured it.

In the Clouds

This evening, while driving home, I looked out the front window of my car and saw these clouds. I was stopped at a red light and my phone was on my dashboard showing me directions. I tilted the phone in its stand and clicked a picture. There were dark clouds below and bright, sunlit clouds above. I suddenly had the impression that the dark clouds could represent the turmoil and sadness that sometimes exist on earth. Those bright clouds above were a reminder that God is there and He loves us, even when things aren't going well here.

Sometimes clouds can be a tender mercy.