Tender Mercies

So today was the first Sunday after Brittin left.  I decided I needed to bare my testimony.  There have been so many tender mercies this week that have made this time just a little easier.  Cookies brought, text messages, friends checking in and even a dozen red roses.  They have lifted my spirit and the spirit of my kids.  It is so nice to be remembered.  I am truly grateful that I live here and know the people of this ward.  I am so blessed.  So today at church I got up and bore my testimony.  I talked about the emotional struggle our family has had with your leaving but the excitement of your emails and hearing your stories and the growth I am already seeing in just the few days you have been there.  I was emotional and expressed my gratitude for my Savior and His plan for you.  I know you will learn so much along with being a great blessing to those you teach.  I know the Lord is with you and watching over you and I know this is what is right because you my dear have grown in just a few days!!  Anyway when I was done I went to sit down.  Immediately Dallin came up and gave me a hug and said "I love you".  I thought it was sweet but I noticed he didn't a have a smile.  I asked if he was OK and he said yes and sat down.  I quickly let my attention return to the meeting and soon after Dominick nudged me and said "Mom you need to take this one."  When I looked over Dallin was crying.  I put him on my lap and asked what was wrong.  He responded " It hurts that Brittin is gone."  I teared up and cried with him.  He said "She is going to be gone for 18YEARS!"   That made me laugh.  I held him and loved him and talked to him till he smiled again.  I told him he could pick a stuffed animal too.  He pulled himself together and stopped crying and took my tissue and put it in his pocket and said " Look mom, I can put my tissue right here in my pocket" and then went skipping off to class.

 I love this boy so much.  He is my tender mercy today.  I love seeing how much my children love each other.  If Brittin wasn't an important part of our family and loved as much as she is, she wouldn't be missed.  My children love each other.  That is a far cry from the way I grew up.  I don't think anyone even missed me while I lived in New York.  My children feel the loss of Brittin.  They love her and look forward to her coming home.  They also love her so much they are supporting her in this adventure and are living it with her.  So much love.

One more Dallin story.  Today he came home with some paper glasses from church.  He brought them to me and told me his teacher said he has to wear them all the time.  So he cut them out and put them on.

I am so blessed to be the Mother of these amazing kids!  I love my life!