Ask and ye shall receive

My first opportunity today to see the extended 10-day forecast covering New Year's Day. It reminded me of when I received Divine assistance in selling my house in Texas. There was no doubt that it was with His help. After weeks (and weeks...) of continuous rain, the chance of rain on the day of my race is 0%. I did ask for His help with this challenging adventure but did NOT presume to ask for sunny skies and perfect temperature. The fact that that is precisely what is predicted is a testimony to me that it is a lovingly bestowed blessing. My first thought was not to blog this yet for fear of "jinxing" it but immediately following was the thought that that would show a lack of faith. So I am thanking Him in advance for His help and love.

Happiness is a warm hug

I was the recipient of a God-wink this morning (ie. a tender mercy). My daughter and son-in-law were scheduled to do temple baptisms at 9:30, which is during our Saturday morning shift at the temple. I'd sent her the sheet of family names earlier but was hoping for a chance to get down there to see them some time during my shift.  When I got my assignment for the day I saw that I was tied up the whole morning with no real opportunity to get to the baptistry. I was at my first assignment when I went to ask the supervisor a question. She was with someone so I waited (ie. eavesdropped...). They were talking about absences for the day and that they were short-staffed in the baptistry...I interrupted and volunteered to help out. She checked my schedule and saw where she could rearrange things to have all areas covered and gratefully sent me down to the baptistry! I helped out there and in the laundry (folding clothes) the rest of the morning and got to assist my kids with their temple visit. It felt like I'd gotten a hug from my Heavenly Father to be able to spend my morning in such service!

of Shepherds and Lambs

I got an interesting text from my (very) pregnant daughter this morning wishing I was there to give her a massage with my oils. That morphed into a question if I wanted to accompany her during labor and delivery. I told her I'd do whatever she needed. I was planning to stay with her other children during that crucial time but maybe Grandpa could do that...after that conversation I was searching through the Ensign looking for an appropriate message to bring my sisters this month and I found a story about a nativity play:
“The shepherds have waited their entire lives for their Savior’s arrival, and now they anticipate the unspeakable honor of greeting Him at His birth. But amid the scurry to embark on this journey of a lifetime, one shepherd remains still. His grandson calls out to him, “Grandfather, aren’t you coming?” His answer teaches a great lesson: “I’ll stay with the sheep.”

This was exactly what I was feeling about Rachel's question. Sometimes our role is to be the star. Other times it is to stay in the background and be a quiet support.  I felt honored to be asked to be by her side this time and be able to greet this new little spirit at its birth but also told her I would be wherever she needed me most. Wherever we serve, it does not go unnoticed. Heavenly Father sees and knows of the righteous desires of our hearts and will bless us for our willingness to serve where called, to help where we are needed. It reminds me of this poem I love by Emily Dickinson:

They might not need me; but they might.

I'll let my head be just in sight;

a smile as small as mine might be

precisely their necessity.

81=Vindication!

Since August I have been treating my high cholesterol with doTerra essential oils alone (no statins, no Red Yeast Rice). Monday I got a blood draw and the results are in: in the intervening 6 months, my HDL went from 60 to 81, and my LDL dropped from 136 to 117. Total number remained the same (227 vs. the earlier 225) but what a huge ratio change for the better! Husband says, "Numbers don't lie--I want numbers like that!" so he began the regimen this morning: One drop of Clary Sage over the liver and a drop of Lemongrass and/or Wild Orange on the tongue morning and evening. Side effects: 0.

12-12-12

What are you doing to celebrate this day, the last of its kind in our lifetime? Husband and I made 12 dozen cookies for friends and neighbors with this accompanying (original) poem:

12/12/12
You are one of 12 on this historic day,
The last in our lifetime of dates this way!
An even dozen to mark the event
Before the hours have all been spent.
To 12 friends and neighbors, oh, so sweet--
We hope you enjoy this little treat.

Have a great 12x3!

Consecration

 

I've been searching for over a year for a marathon to run. I've done one half-marathon and several 5ks but this would be my first 26.2 and I had a lot of criteria. That criteria has changed over the past few months. At first I was training in my Vibram 5-fingers so I was looking for a trail run, but then I developed foot pain from running wrong and had to wear shoes with inserts so trail running was out. I was looking for something close by, relatively flat, not on city streets and not on a Sunday. Then in September, Rich and I began our callings as temple workers, which is every Saturday morning. Now I had to look for a marathon that wasn't held on a Saturday as well. Good luck with that, you say? Well, I strongly believe in the promises in 2 Nephi 32:9 so I asked for Help in finding a marathon and then accomplishing the goal to run it. I soon found this one and have felt inspiration and help all along the way as I prepare:

• I was worried about what to eat before and during that long of a run, and then I got the same advice from two different people on the same day to use Chia seeds. My son-in-law got me a great recipe for chia/honey/lime water and that has proved to be the best fuel for all my long runs so far.
• I'm not very good about warming up before runs, and I started getting some knee pains. The next day I found in my inbox a video from Care2.com about the best routine for warming up: The Lunge Matrix. This has helped tremendously with my knees.
• After I began using DoTerra essential oils on my feet, my arthritis and foot pains have been greatly diminished and actually go away while I'm running.

Tomorrow is my longest of the training runs before the marathon on January 1st: 20 miles. I'm more excited than nervous and am confident things will go well, as I "run the race set before [me]" (see Heb. 12:1).