To teach or lose a phone?

So I was given the opportunity last week to actually get a teaching job teaching spanish. I was going to be able to use one of the degrees that I had earned and it was at a school that I really liked and was perfect for my schedule... and we could use the extra money... or so I thought. I was excited, honored I was even being considered and also wondering how in the world I was going to swing that on top of everything else I have going on. Turns out that weekend before I was to go in for the interview my little Annie reminded me of why she needs me at home. The two's hit hard. Hank reminded me of why he needs me at home. He doesn't like a bottle. I kept justifying... the money, honor, the degree being used, touch other kids lives... Back and forth. James said, "do whatever you'd like to do." I prayed all weekend that I would make the best decision I could for my family. I ended up waking up on Monday morning and cancelling my interview and a feeling of peace came over me. The thought, Good, better, best, came to mind. I had chosen the best option even though it would have been good to teach and help out, the best option was to be there for my family. I had a reassuring feeling that everything would work out just fine. And would you know it the Lord gave me another little tender mercy. The next day I went to the mail and opened a letter from the hospital. It was a check for almost $3000. Wowsers!! I double checked with the hospital and with insurance and what I thought we had paid on Hank was now being covered by the insurance. I probably would have gotten the check had I taken the job, but this one is going in the book as a tender mercy and a fulfullment of the promise that when we are obedient to His commands we will be blessed.

Then this past weekend I had an experience similar to that of Joseph Smith... not to be compared at all the least with him. His story goes that he and emma were in a little tiff or something and he was trying to translate the book of mormon. (I imagine this would require alot of peace and serenity and lots of guidance from the spirit.) He says he wasn't able to translate it feeling how he did because the feelings he had were not allowing the spirit to be present while he translated it. He went down and made amends with Emma and then returned to work on translating and now not being overcome with worries of worldly matters he was able to be led by the spirit to translate it... ok I may have just butchered that story but you have the picture I hope. So as we were getting loaded to travel back home to Bozeman from Idaho this past weekend I realized I did not have my phone. (Crucial part to my life right now. I can't be without it.) It was already after five and we had a six hour drive home. I was frustrated with not being able to leave earlier, tired and it had been a good, but long weekend. We tore the house apart several times, the car apart several times and rethought where I had been all day. I was getting frustrated, snappy, and growing an attitude. What had I done to deserve this? I informed my husband I was being punished. Everyone kept asking me, Aren't you praying to find it? yes of course I am I was saying. I finally went and sat in my car and gathered myself and asked for forgiveness for getting so impatient and snappy. There was no way I was going to get an answer if I continued to feel like this. After settling down, I again offered a little prayer that I would know where to find my phone. And would you believe it the thought came into my mind. Just be patient, you will find your phone. Just pack up and head out of town. Okie dokie I thought. This must be where faith comes in. We packed up and headed out of town. We ran by the church where I was pretty sure I looked and didn't have my phone than but what the heck? It had to be somewhere. I searched the parking lot, the church and still nothing. Need I mention that we had tried several times calling it and usually it went right to voice mail. James in the car had tried to call it once more and would you believe it someone answered the phone. And even more so would you believe that the person that answered the phone was a neighbor lady that lived right next to the church. Her husband had just happened to walk outside when he saw two kids tossing a phone back and forth to each other. He knew the kids wouldn't have a phone of their own so he called them over, took the phone from them and gave it to his wife to figure out whose it was and then it rang and James saw her behind him across the fence talking on my phone to him. We were able to cross the parking lot and pick up my phone from her. If that isn't a tender mercy I don't know what is. I didn't get a specific answer to my prayer as to where I would find my phone, but that I needed to have faith and move forward and I would be led to my answer. I had to delete all feelings of negativity and frustration out of my head before I could even recognize that that was my answer to my prayers. But what patience my Father in Heaven has for me of which I am so thankful for.