Paper wrapped presents. Sparkling lights on trees of green. Fresh falling snow. Sugar cookies and gingerbread men. Hanging stockings. Candy canes. These are a few of the things that come to mind when we think of Christmas. Sometimes we get so caught up in all the decorations and shopping that we forget the real reason for the holiday, Christ was born. (Now I know that Christ was really born in April but His birth is still the "reason for the season"!)
This year has been especially difficult for me to remember the real reason for Christmas and even Christmas itself. With Meric set to deploy in February and it being our first winter in the trailer, other issues have been distracting me from enjoying the Christmas season like I normally do. There is a part of me that feels decorations would just be clutter. Looking for presents was more difficult and getting them sent off felt more rushed than usual. I am just finding it hard to focus on Christmas.
With all that being said I need to share a recent experience I had. Just after Thanksgiving I was busy getting ready for a visit from my dad and sister, Lissy. I was cleaning and organizing things I had been procrastinating doing for a while. As I was doing this I discovered a problem... mold. The mold was a result of condensation which is a common problem in winter trailering. Meric and I knew there would be a problem with condensation but were still figuring out the best way to combat it.The mold wasn't out of hand by any means but it was still a problem that needed to be remedied. Also I discover that the carpet on the bottom of our bedroom closet was wet. Not just damp from condensation but soaking wet from the rain outside leaking in. For a while there it seemed like everything was constantly damp. On top of all this Meric was getting mixed information about WHEN he would deploy. We were hearing everything from January 14th to March 3rd and with the holidays coming fast it was hard to schedule or plan for anything. Needless to say I was feeling a little stressed.
It was Monday night and my family was to arrive that Wednesday afternoon. It had rained non stop since Saturday night and the forecast was 90% chance of more precipitation until Wednesday afternoon. I was beginning to hate the sound of rain on the roof, the exact same sound I once loved. With 3 dogs and no fenced yard I have to take them when they need to go outside. The constant rain had made it difficult to let the dogs go out and do anything more than just their "business". No play time had gotten old for the dogs and me too. So that night when I said my personal prayers I asked Heavenly Father for no rain the next day. As I laid down to go to sleep this thought went through my head: "Who am I kidding? There is no way He will stop the rain just for me." And with that I forgot about it as I drifted off to sleep. The next morning started early for me and I had lots to do. I took the dogs out to do their business, ran Meric to work and made an "early bird" stop at the commissary for groceries. As I walked out of the commissary and headed to my car a ray of sunshine peeked through the clouds. I had been so focused on everything I needed to do that I hadn't noticed until that moment that it wasn't raining. My first thought was "so much for the weather report" but then I remembered my prayer. All of a sudden I was filled with warmth and love and could almost hear a voice saying "see, I do love you". Standing in the commissary parking lot I started to cry. It was such an overwhelming feeling of being loved and know that my Father in heaven is aware of my needs. The rest of the day was still very busy and stressful but it didn't rain. I was able to take the dogs outside a few times, watch them play and enjoy the fresh air. I know it didn't rain that day because I needed it. All of my trials and stresses didn't go away but I could handle them better because of the moments I was given to take a break and go outside.
So what does this all have to do with the Christmas holiday? Nothing. It has to do with Christ. I think that the best thing about Christmas is Christ and I wanted to share my testimony. I know and am very thankful to have a loving Heavenly Father. I know that Jesus Christ was born, that he suffered for not just my sins but all of my pains, died and was resurrected. I know that prayers are heard and answered. I know that, even when I am by myself, I will never be alone. I know that I will have some difficult and lonely moments while Meric is deployed but I also know my Heavenly Father will take care of me. I know that my trials will not go away but I also know that trials are given to me by a loving Heavenly Father who knows what I need to become stronger. I have a testimony of Jesus Christ and the gift of repentance.
Christ was born. Christ suffered for us in Gethsemane. Christ died on the cross. Christ was resurrected. Christ loves us. Christ knows specifically who I am and loves me. What more could you ask for? Merry Christmas!
Mandy, I absolutely loved this story. Last Sunday I was supposed to make rolls for a potluck, but I got started late and only started making them about two hours before I had to leave. The first rising was supposed to take 90 minutes and the second was supposed to be an hour...plus the baking. I said a little prayer, "Please Heavenly Father, will you help the rolls to rise quickly?" I didn't think it would work. And then when it DID work (the first rising was 45 minutes and the second was 30 minutes, giving me the required 20 minutes of baking) I even forgot that I had prayed for it. I told myself it was just really robust yeast. It wasn't until later that night that I remembered my prayer, and felt that sweet feeling inside that Heavenly Father loves me. Your story brought that all back!
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