Angels Among Us!

A good friend played me the old Alabama song, “Angels Among us” the other day and it really got my mind thinking about the angels that have come out in droves during our time of need. I wanted to take a little bit of time to reflect on you!

When I allow myself to just be and just plain listen, I realize that not only was I born into a family of angels, I married into a family of angels who have been so loving, caring, and supportive. That has healed us!

We have also been blessed with an influx of renewed golden friendships and brand new friendships because of this situation. They have gathered around us, as if, coming right down from Heaven and we recognize that as an incredible blessing that we would never trade.

And, unbelievably we have also been the recipients of love and compassion from strangers and ‘friends of friends’. This has made our hearts almost burst with appreciation!

It is a truly amazing thing to be a part of prayers being answered because other people are listening, and I am here to say that I know many of you have truly listened and answered our prayers. We will be forever grateful. I wanted to share a couple stories with you.

The first happened Thursday at my Chemo session. I had just heard the news that the tumor was unchanged and was tucked into myself a bit when in walked Kambri (one of my new friends). It was her birthday---she was turning 10 and would be headed down to Primary Children’s on Friday for her next round of Chemo. Instead of doing what a regular 10 year old would do on her birthday, she chose to visit someone in need. She was an answer to prayer!  Thank you my dear friend.

Second, I had just been reading King Benjamin’s address in the first part of Mosiah, which states, “…when ye are in the service of your fellow beings you are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17) and my mind continued to think about the truth behind that statement and how I needed to magnify myself in recognizing the needs of others. The doorbell rang and to my surprise there stood Lisa Unger (previously a stranger to me) with her arms laden with gifts. She had brought oversized coloring books for the boys and homemade treats, and then explained that she had made me some jewelry and had something to donate for the auction. At that point, I knew nothing about Lisa or her story, I was just standing there in utter amazement that someone cared enough to put forth that kind of effort for a complete stranger. What a kind and special spirit!

When I finally pulled myself together from the emotions of the moment, I realized that there was a card with the jewelry, which read ‘Judy’s Jewels’ and posted her blog spot (judysjewels7.blogspot.com). My tears started all over again when I realized that Lisa had lost her mom to cancer and instead of folding into herself and becoming bitter she listens and she brings relief to others dealing with cancer. I felt like I had just brushed up against an angel; an angel God had sent to comfort me. Thank you Lisa!

Third, on Saturday morning my hands were at the height of their burning and were so swollen and painful that I could not button my own pants or tie my own shoes (Justin, my angel, did that for me). I could do nothing but pray, so I did and in the prayer I simply acknowledged the need for pain and trial, and asked if there was anything that could be done with my hands. The day progressed, the burning did too and another knock came at the door. This time it was Shauna Frazier (a golden friend) she was bringing us dinner. As has become customary, she asked how I was doing and I told her fine and paused giving Justin just enough time to say, “Except for her hands!”

Shauna took one look at my hands and told us that she would be right back. She brought with her a prescription for firefighter’s hands (go figure!), a healing lotion, and some gel gloves. She was able, through her own life experience and listening to the spirit, to bring me relief; to answer my quiet prayer.  What an incredible angel!

These stories are but a sampling of the many, many angels that have answered our prayers. We are incredibly blessed people and through it all we recognize God’s goodness and His gentle hands intervening at appropriate times and many times that intervention has come in the form of His children serving one another. In this way, “…when ye are in the service of your fellow beings you are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17). Thank you all for your good souls and compassionate hearts. You are the angels among us!

“Mom’s Heart Moment”: On Sunday, I got up in testimony meeting and shared some of my thoughts and feelings. I had become quite emotional expressing my gratitude and sharing some of the things that had happened to make my heart so tender. On the way back to my seat, Isaac stood up and in a regular voice said, “Good job mom!” And, in case the congregation did not hear the first time, he repeated it several more times (progressively getting louder!) until I sat back down and he kissed me on the cheek. There were giggles and sighs going on all around us. I giggled myself knowing that was such an expression of his character.  I love my babies!