Promised Slice

I was reminded yesterday how Heavenly Father is aware of His children, and how He keeps his promises. Almost two weeks ago Greg took himself to the emergency room with severe abdominal pain. I knew it was severe because my husband deals with pain quietly. For him to admit to it was telling. He accepted the wait estimate of 5 hours, while I put the kids to bed and fell asleep myself. He called at 3am. They had done a CT scan and found an infected gall bladder. No big deal. Easily corrected by surgery. However, because he had waited he needed to undergo a course of antibiotics before surgery. We were looking at almost two weeks before he could return to work. I quickly got dressed and headed to the hospital. Before leaving I called my brother-in-law to meet me there.
We believe in the gift of healing. A very special gift of the Lord, based on the faith of the receiver, that lends healing and comfort to those in need. A gift administered by one holding the priesthood of God. It was during this blessing that I was reminded of another important gift of our Father. He has promised the blessings of heaven to be upon those who do His will, with faith no matter the sacrifice. And through the blessing He assured us we need only ask for those blessings. They were ours to receive.
It was during the many drives back and forth to the hospital during the following week, I realized that in our current situation, any time off of work could be devastating. I opened my heart to heaven and begged for the blessings He had promised for my family. I begged for the quick recovery and the means to make it through this.
My prayer was answered. We will make it. A recovery that could have lasted a month, sees my husband back at work already. And the love of people around Greg at work settled other worries. The Lord does not forget His children. And He pours down the blessings of heaven daily to those faithful enough to receive. I know this. I have seen it. I continue to see it.

Happiness is. . . the love of a Heavenly Father.

Celestial Slice

There is a very special room in a very special place where the beauty is tranquil and serene, and the only sound heard is the quiet tinkling of crystal....
I own a pair of earrings. I bought them for their simplistic beauty. I almost took them back after wearing them that first time. The two hoops hit each other every time I moved my head causing a soft chime in my ears. It reminded me of the scriptures and the haughty daughters of Zion making the tinkling with their feet. I kept the earrings simply because I never found the time to return them and, quite frankly, I liked them. Inwardly I worried what it said about me. Not that anyone else noticed or cared.
Until I went to the temple yesterday. I wore my earrings. After all was done, I was sitting quietly listening to the crystal chiming in the gentle stirring of air. I turned my head to find which crystals where sounding. My earrings chimed. They chimed the same soft chime of the crystals. Not the haughty tinkling of feet, but that same soft chime.
Now, in the chaotic world of my life, amidst the noise and confusion, I can simply shake my head and remember - remember the peace, serenity, and love of a Father given through the simple chime of earrings.

Happiness is. . . that chime.