The Miracle of a Dryer

I am an expert at finding good deals... well I am extremely lucky or as many would say blessed because I have never really paid full price for anything. I have been able to furnish our home from gifted items or trades or garage sales. We are not fancy by any means but have a humble home and I wouldn't have it any other way. We try to make it a point to pay it forward and I feel that the Lord uses us as an instrument in finding good deals to also do His work. Example, I had a washing machine that every time I put it on the spin cycle Annie's bed would vibrate with the spin. I couldn't complain too hard because I gave $10 for it at a garage sale to replace the other that I picked up on the side of the road which was with us for almost two years. So one afternoon we got a phone call from a friend who needed help moving. My husband being the kind soul, jumped up and grabbed our family who was visiting us and went to help move him. He came home with a brand new washer and dryer... right there was a tender mercy because I was about done with the washer but could not afford to buy one. So what to do with the dryer? We have a gas hook up and it was electric. I called all over to friends, relief society president trying to give this dryer away to someone who wanted it and could use it. Nothing. I wanted to pass the favor on and give it to some one but if I could give it away... I would try selling it for cheap on Craig's list. The next day was a Sunday and as I came home to check my messages I heard a lady's voice say that the dryer would work perfect for them. I debated calling her back on Sunday. It was kind of like working... I was going to get money for the dryer... was that breaking the sabbath? I felt that I needed to call her back. Which when I did she said I will be right over. But I don't have all the money can I pay you less? Of course I said. So as I was outside cleaning it up, our friends came over who we do all of our Spanish FHEs with and get togethers. The dryer lady walked up to me in the garage and said, Did I hear you speaking spanish? We said yes, I served a mission in Peru and my friends were from Mexico... Are you LDS she asks. Yep. She says me too! Long story short, she is a single mom of five cute kids wanting to come back to church and needing some help. She gave me the money I had asked for and as we were loading the dryer I gave it back to her and told her it wasn't coincidence that she was here at my home looking for a dryer. With tears in her eyes she thanked me. She has since come back to church and come to several of our get togethers. I know that our Father in Heaven works through us and our desires to give of service. In return, we are given sooo much more back. I can attest to this. I was worried about breaking the sabbath, but the Lord knew that one of His daughters was in need of help and encouragement. I am so thankful to be able to part of His plan.

I remember as a missionary in Peru the highlight of my day or week was to be able to sit down and write all the amazing experiences that I was having being a servant of the Lord. I felt it so important to keep a record of every miracles, every trial, every tear and every laughter so that one day I could remember or be remembered... I told my mission president that my goal upon going returning home was to never really end being a missionary. As far as I was concerned the mission was not ending but contuinuing and I was to work just as hard. I have now been home for five years, (which is really hard to imagine) and I have been soooo blessed. I have seen miracles, had trials, shed tears and laughed til it hurt. And for some reason I never felt an urgency until now to record things happenings. I want to be able to allow those close to me and maybe those who aren't as close to experience some of the miracles that happen in my life and in turn maybe recognize the tender mercies in their own lives. I am so incredibly indebted to my Father in Heaven that I feel it impossible to give as much as I am receiving. We have adopted the philosophy in our home that what is ours is yours... as humble as it may be. Because of this I know that we are blessed one hundred fold and are able to really see miracles in our little family. Life is good.