Last Sunday was an interesting day as I realized again that God has a plan for me and as long as I pay attention and make myself available, I will be able to do what He wants me to do (at least in some fashion)---
First, my Bishop approached me after Church to invite me to lead a 5th Sunday discussion on mental health for both the youth and the adults together. We spent about 15 minutes talking about some of his concerns but not really giving me too much direction just encouraging me to be inspired. Tricky stuff when I am planning a Sunday School lesson for this week as well. As I accepted, I remembered my struggle to book tickets for a visit to Tosha's and Austen's later this month. They needed a babysitter for a concert they were to attend with a group from base up in Seattle and asked if I wanted to come and spend a few days. The timing worked great and I was thinking I would stay until Tosha's birthday on Monday, the 30th. Thursday through Monday seemed perfect until I actually tried to book the flights. There were flights available, but I felt troubled about the days. I finally stepped away from my computer and the flights for a few days and then tried again--and again I felt the same unsettled feeling--I needed to be in Utah on the 29th. Why? I checked my calendar, checked with Gary, no reason seemed apparent. It would be fun to be there on Tosha's birthday. But finally, I adjusted to leaving on Wednesday and coming home Saturday night (arriving when Gary is at the temple--how is that good planning?) but it was a go and I booked the tickets and let Tosha know. At that moment, sitting in the Bishop's office, I realized that this wasn't just a good idea that the Bishop had, but it was something that God had in the plans even back in early May. How is that possible? I don't know, but I am humbled that God trusted me with this important assignment and I only hope that I figure out what and how to present so much information in a diverse group about a HUGE topic. Wish me luck....
And later in the afternoon, while I worked on the blog, I got a message on Facebook from a former adoptive family couple. They invited me to come and meet with them and their brother and sister in law to talk about options for their adult daughter who is homeless and expecting a baby next month--that evening. Again, that feeling of being available when needed was so strong as we met in their backyard in the beautiful evening while we discussed these serious topics. I later followed up with an email of resources for them to use or not based on what their daughter is wanting and willing to use to help her.
Last Sunday School class that Brandon led at the beginning of June, he talked about the verse in D & C 52:33.
Yea, verily I say, let all these take their journey unto one place, in their several courses, and one man shall not build upon another’s foundation, neither journey in another’s track.
He mentioned that we should consider that we too travel "several courses,". Our lives are not the same as each others but we all are traveling to the same place--the Celestial Kingdom to be with God and the Savior. That phrase and discussion has stuck with me. Gary is loving his service in the temple and I have wondered why I didn't pursue becoming an ordinance worker when he did back in November, knowing that there would be a need for our new temple. He and I have talked about it and both felt good about him doing that and me not. I knew I had some health things to take care of, which have only become a bit more bothersome in the past several months. However, I still have worried that I haven't sought that desire to serve in the temple 'enough'. Or in other words, what is "wrong" with me? But last Sunday as I reflected on that past week, the things which happened on this Sunday I am writing about, and as I have continued to reflect on my personal journey, I feel confident that the Lord and God have a plan for me and right now that is not including serving in the temple. That could change in a moment, but for right now, I am to be available to serve and lift others around me in certain ways and that is what I will try to do. I am taking my "course" back to God. I hope you are, too.
One final note: I got a text from a friend of mine on Monday who I didn't even know was connected in any way with the couple I had met with on Sunday. She is a friend from the Down syndrome side of my life and she simply expressed her gratitude for the support I was to her friend and how perfect it had been for this friend. I didn't answer because it was the weird place between confidentiality and boundaries. I wondered how they had had enough of a conversation about it to figure out they both knew me now. Small world! It was sweet to hear that it was helpful in this roundabout way.
Does your life work out in these weird and wonderful ways as well?
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