Praying Works

Wednesday was a hard day. My cold had gone from bad to worse, Anna was sick, and Jeffrey had been up in the night throwing up. I had to make four pies for Thanksgiving the next day, do laundry, pack for our trip to Chico, and provide meals for 9 children, including three cousins who were with us on a visit-swap. Oh, and Rich was frantically trying to get enough on-line education hours for his CPA renewal deadline at the end of the week. Yah, it was one of those days! I started it with a prayer. Please help me to accomplish all this and to be nice. I said the second prayer when Anna cried outside the shower door for my entire shower and then cried at my feet while I tried to get dressed. I can't do this! How am I supposed to do this? This is too hard. Please help me. The answer came gently to be patient with Anna's demands and trust that everything would work out. A while later, when Jeffrey came to me for something, I noticed his sunken eyes and strangely swollen mouth. I recognized at least some of the signs of dehydration, which affects him more quickly than other children because of his chronic kidney problems. That is when I said the third prayer. What do I do? I am scared and I'm not sure what is wrong. We don't have insurance. Do I take him to the doctor? Please help me. Rich and I decided to give extra fluids and watch him since he seemed full of energy and happy. Anna took a nap, so I got the pies made, in between sneezes. Then I took a nap. Dinner was already in the crockpot and Jeffrey seemed to be doing better.

When I awoke, I took one look at Jeffrey and called Rich. His face was terribly swollen so that one eye was swollen about half-way shut. His lips were so big it was hard for him to close his mouth. We were terrified. Rich called the doctor, and I said the fourth prayer. Please bless my little boy. Please help me to know what to do. Please allow the Priesthood to bless him because of our faith. Please help me not to be scared. Please help me to take care of the other children. Please help me. I had been reading that day about Lazarus being raised from the dead . The thought came that the Lord blessed others because of the their faith in Him. I just had to trust that. A friend came to help administer the blessing with Rich since the home teacher was out of town. The blessing promised quick alleviation of symptoms and healing of organs. The doctor called to say we could watch him at home as long as he was still urinating and not lethargic.

At 8:45 at night, I leaned up against the counter as I finished the last pie-making and dinner dish. Jeffrey's face was already less swollen. Once again, we evaded a possible medical emergency while without insurance. Everyone had dinner and baths. We were mostly packed. The pies were done. Anna seemed more cheerful, and my cold already seemed to be improving. Rich had finished the last of his CPA courses, and the house was mostly picked-up. Wow. Praying works. Even on really hard days (maybe especially on really hard days because I go more quickly to me knees), praying works. When things seem impossible or out-of-control or scary, praying works. I am so grateful for a Father in Heaven who listens to and answers our prayers. I am grateful for a place to turn to get through the hard days. Praying works.

P.S. As I was making Thanksgiving pies, my cold had gotten so bad that I could not smell or taste. I was feeling pretty sorry for myself that I was making pies I would not be able to taste. Usually, when I lose my sense of taste, it is gone for several days. Miraculously, by that night, I could slightly taste our dinner. By the next morning, I could mostly taste breakfast. By Thanksgiving dinner, I could taste everything. Rich told me later that he had said a prayer, asking for a tender mercy for me to be able to taste. Even in the little things, praying works.