Steve

Something happened today that I want to write down before I forget.

In October the women were challenged by President Nelson to finish the Book of Mormon by the end of the year. I began this task and admittedly wasn't doing the very best at it. As I continued to try December began and I realized I was further behind then I should be. I cracked down and spent every extra second trying to finish the book. This blessed my life in several ways throughout the month. I began to have more patience with my family, felt the spirit more, been more giving, and been able to accomplish the things I have set out to do. We have been working harder at having family prayer at night and talking more about the gospel in our home. January marks the beginning of the 2 hour church block and the "home based learning" we are doing. This month as I have been praying at night, I have asked to be more aware of those around me. To be in tune with the spirit and be an instrument in the Lords hands and do as He would have me do. Living in Utah County, the opportunity to serve is few and far between because there are so many members living here. Especially during the holidays people are more willing to help and serve so things are even more difficult to find.

The day after Christmas, we were cleaning the house and packing things away. Zach left on an errand and a knock came to the door. I NEVER answer my front door if I don't know who is there and even more so when Zach is not home. So I looked out the peep hole and checked the camera and didn't recognize the person on the other side of the door. I watched as he walked away across the road and sat on the pile of rocks near the railroad tracks. I noticed him sitting on the ground next to his van and I watched for a few more minutes and saw him wipe tears from his eyes. My heart began to burn and I knew I had to do something. Let me repeat, I NEVER would do this. I walked out in to the cold and over to the man. I knelt down next to him and asked what was wrong. He looked up with tears in his eyes and said "why does life have to be so hard?" We talked for a few minutes and I asked what I could do to help him. His van had run out of gas and he was on hard times. I thought for a minute to see how I would be able to get him gas, but unable to leave my children, and not being able to invite the man in to my car, I wasn't sure what to do. Suddenly a women in another car stopped behind us and asked if we needed help. I explained the situation to her and she said she would be able to get gas. I ran back inside to get our gas can and venmo-ed her some money for the gas. She left and I went inside to get my spare cash and some cookies for this man. I walked back over to him and we talked again. He was in a rough spot and told me how lonely his Christmas had been. I offered a hug and as I stretched out my arms he fell in to my shoulder and began to sob. We sat there silently for two minutes while he cried. When he sat back up, he offered his name and asked mine. We spoke for a few more minutes before the woman returned and we filled up his car. He again wiped the tears away, thanked us and continued on to his job.

I came inside and cried myself. I had been praying to be able to help someone and the Lord delivered Steve literally to my doorstep the day after Christmas. I have such a testimony that the Lord listens and answers my prayers, even the smallest ones. I know that if we continue to pray, read our scriptures and do as we are ask, the Lord will open up his blessings for us. He will put us in positions to help those in need and we will feel those blessings as well.

This year Zach and I have been in a better place financially and been able to help in several different ways to "pay it forward" for those that blessed our lives a few Christmas's ago. We remember being down on our luck and struggling and for those amazing saints that lightened our load in so many different ways. It has been so much more fulfilling and my heart has been so full this season. There wasn't really anything under the tree for me yesterday but I was so content and happy.