Fall

I love the fall. I love that in Virginia we get to have four seasons. Each season brings with it its own excitement. I love the vibrant colors of the leaves, the crisp air, and the feeling of fall. It is homey, its like falling in love, I feel like I am in a romance movie. I just love it.

As I drive to school everyday I try to stop and take in the moment. I love the amazing colors. It reminds me of how blessed I am, and to be grateful for all that I have. It reminds me to be grateful for the simple things and the beauty of the earth.

We went to a William & Mary football game with my parents {a really fall thing to do}. We won! We loved spending time with my parents. After the game we walked around Colonial Williamsburg with them. We went to the Bookstore, my mom and I shopped for clothes, while my Dad and Rob perused the books {they were like kids in a candy store}. We then hit William and Sonoma. Rob got us all samples he thought was dessert, but turned out to be turkey and dressing. Mom and I enjoyed looking through the store at all the wonderful things and going through cookbooks, while dad and rob got asked if they needed help in the baking section! We ended the night in the candy store, and left with chocolate covered oranges. It was great to be with Rob and my parents enjoying this wonderful time of year, just relaxing and taking it in.

Tender Mercies

"We should not underestimate or overlook the power of the Lord’s tender mercies. The simpleness, the sweetness, and the constancy of the tender mercies of the Lord will do much to fortify and protect us in the troubled times in which we do now and will yet live. When words cannot provide the solace we need or express the joy we feel, when it is simply futile to attempt to explain that which is unexplainable, when logic and reason cannot yield adequate understanding about the injustices and inequities of life, when mortal experience and evaluation are insufficient to produce a desired outcome, and when it seems that perhaps we are so totally alone, truly we are blessed by the tender mercies of the Lord and made mighty even unto the power of deliverance (see 1 Ne. 1:20)."

Rob was in a car accident this morning. He is fine. I won't go into the details but things could have been much worse. It was clear to me that we were experiencing one of those tender mercies. One in so many. We are always quick to ask why, and say that we just can't take one more thing. But, it was evident to me that we were being blessed. As I stood and looked at the car I realized Heavenly Father was watching over Rob. The way all of the events played out, there is no doubt in my mind that Heavenly Father was in charge and kept him safe.

"Lord’s timing of His tender mercies helps us to both discern and acknowledge them."

"May our hearts always be filled with gratitude for His abundant and tender mercies."

Today I was reminded that my Heavenly Father knows me. He knows what I can handle. He knows how to comfort me. He loves me and is always showing me that, if I but stop and look. I know He extends tender mercies, and that we all can receive them as we follow Him.

* all the above quotes are from The Tender Mercies of the Lord," David A. Bednar. Click on the link to view the entire talk.