I would like to dedicate this blog to the many tender mercies the Lord has provided in moving this project forward. I love the saying "Coincidences are God's little miracles when He chooses to remain anonymous".
I have had the privilege of witnessing these miracles almost daily, as many of you are aware as you have served with me. I am sure the Lord must weep when he sees His children suffer as victims of domestic violence, prejudice or other forms of abuse. I feel He needs our hands to help relieve their suffering and feel His guidance and providence as this project moves forward.
I will start out with just a few of the larger miracles that have happened the last few months. This fall, we had just finished all the many orders we had received for women's kits and baby kits in additon to our regular orders. We looked on the shelf and there was not even enough inventory to do one more woman's kit and Christmas orders were pouring in. I asked each one of our volunteers to specifically pray for each of the items we needed. A few days later I received a call from a sister in the Weber Heights Stake in Ogden who said that her stake was collecting items and she wanted to go shopping to get the items we really needed. As I told her one by one the items we had prayed for, she would keep responding "And what else". I asked her if she really wanted to know and she told me her family had been greatly blessed and she was so excited to go shopping. This one sister provided everything we needed by the cases along with many, many towels. When I went to the stake the next week, I was overjoyed to see the cultural hall and stage packed with sisters joyfully making beautiful quilts, book bags and so many other hand-made items. Then to my great surprise, they had donated enough supplies to fill a large FEDEX truck. We received everything we needed......in great abundance!!!
The most recent tender mercy has happened while I have been experiencing a lot of pain. There have been so many administrative things to do to prepare to move forward approaching corporations for funds so we can find a facility that will house both project rooms and I wasn't able to do it. Also, in December Gayle Burbidge, who does all our refugee kits had to take an extended leave of absence because of major health problems. Also, one of our volunteers, Bonnie Johnson broke a vertebrae in her back. I prayed to the Lord to please provide the needed help. That same week Maxine Rasmussen who is a dear friend and the Stake Relief Society President in our stake told me the she was finally semi-retired and she wanted to help. She not only came to the project room and learned how to put together and bag kits.....and did it beautifully......but she has worked tirelessly getting this website current and many other administrative tasks done for me. At the same time, we got new Home Teachers who moved here from California four months ago and they were excited to take over the refugee kits for us and are doing a marvelous job. They are even having their parents who are in their 90's and living with them organizing clothes, etc. for us at home. They are so excited to help! My other amazing volunteers have filled in so willingly so I can take some time off to heal.
I am so grateful that the Lord is aware of every little detail of our lives and for His tender mercies in providing what we need through so many of you who are so willing to help.........whether you give a little or a lot........it is greatly appreciated. I love the talk that Elder Ballard gave about the honey bees. He told us that it takes a whole lifetime of a honeybee to create 1/12 of a tablespoon of honey, but with the efforts of the whole hive, we get to enjoy the abundance. This is how Hearts Knit Together works. Because of the efforts of so many, we can provide abundantly beautiful welcome kits that give some hope and joy to the recipients! Thank you to all who so willingly help!
I have had the privilege of witnessing these miracles almost daily, as many of you are aware as you have served with me. I am sure the Lord must weep when he sees His children suffer as victims of domestic violence, prejudice or other forms of abuse. I feel He needs our hands to help relieve their suffering and feel His guidance and providence as this project moves forward.
I will start out with just a few of the larger miracles that have happened the last few months. This fall, we had just finished all the many orders we had received for women's kits and baby kits in additon to our regular orders. We looked on the shelf and there was not even enough inventory to do one more woman's kit and Christmas orders were pouring in. I asked each one of our volunteers to specifically pray for each of the items we needed. A few days later I received a call from a sister in the Weber Heights Stake in Ogden who said that her stake was collecting items and she wanted to go shopping to get the items we really needed. As I told her one by one the items we had prayed for, she would keep responding "And what else". I asked her if she really wanted to know and she told me her family had been greatly blessed and she was so excited to go shopping. This one sister provided everything we needed by the cases along with many, many towels. When I went to the stake the next week, I was overjoyed to see the cultural hall and stage packed with sisters joyfully making beautiful quilts, book bags and so many other hand-made items. Then to my great surprise, they had donated enough supplies to fill a large FEDEX truck. We received everything we needed......in great abundance!!!
The most recent tender mercy has happened while I have been experiencing a lot of pain. There have been so many administrative things to do to prepare to move forward approaching corporations for funds so we can find a facility that will house both project rooms and I wasn't able to do it. Also, in December Gayle Burbidge, who does all our refugee kits had to take an extended leave of absence because of major health problems. Also, one of our volunteers, Bonnie Johnson broke a vertebrae in her back. I prayed to the Lord to please provide the needed help. That same week Maxine Rasmussen who is a dear friend and the Stake Relief Society President in our stake told me the she was finally semi-retired and she wanted to help. She not only came to the project room and learned how to put together and bag kits.....and did it beautifully......but she has worked tirelessly getting this website current and many other administrative tasks done for me. At the same time, we got new Home Teachers who moved here from California four months ago and they were excited to take over the refugee kits for us and are doing a marvelous job. They are even having their parents who are in their 90's and living with them organizing clothes, etc. for us at home. They are so excited to help! My other amazing volunteers have filled in so willingly so I can take some time off to heal.
I am so grateful that the Lord is aware of every little detail of our lives and for His tender mercies in providing what we need through so many of you who are so willing to help.........whether you give a little or a lot........it is greatly appreciated. I love the talk that Elder Ballard gave about the honey bees. He told us that it takes a whole lifetime of a honeybee to create 1/12 of a tablespoon of honey, but with the efforts of the whole hive, we get to enjoy the abundance. This is how Hearts Knit Together works. Because of the efforts of so many, we can provide abundantly beautiful welcome kits that give some hope and joy to the recipients! Thank you to all who so willingly help!
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