{crumb cake}

Sometimes when I am really stressed out I like to make various bakes goods. This morning it happened to be sour cream crumb cake. This was the second weekend alone with all of the children and the thought of getting everybody to church and then to behave once we arrived seemed like the most daunting task. The kids were already fighting and whining about really important things like who was going to sit in which chair. One "awesome" daughter came over for the fifth time and said, "Mom, Bridger is in the seat that I want to sit in. At that point I didn't know what to say so I just blurted out, "Then just go sit on the floor and eat". "Did I really just say that", I thought.  Trust me though I wanted to say something much worse.  I had finally gotten around to dishing my own serving of crumb cake and wished I could go eat mine outside in peace. Instead I took my own advice and settled for the floor. Funny thing happened after that. Every single one of our moods lightened up and before I knew it I was surrounded by 5 active children who had come to join me. Not the most conventional way of eating crumb cake but it was then & there that my prayers were answered. Mandy walked in the door unannounced to help us get ready for church. She was so amused by the sight of all of us sitting there that she went to get the camera. What I remember most was that we all ended up making it to church in rather chipper moods which is a miracle. You see it was just the day before that I sat in the shower telling my Heavenly Father that I could only do my best. I told him that I would try really hard but that I need a little extra help to make it the rest of the way. Again, my prayers were heard.

As I sat in church and listened to the speaker talk about putting ourselves in a position to not only hear promptings to help those in need and to be an instrument in thy hand but then to be bold enough to act on those promptings, I felt inspired to try even a little bit harder. I can do great things with the Lord on my side...even if they are hard. When it is His will, He always helps to make up the difference. Usually through angels here on this earth.

P.S. - "Awesome" is code for not awesome.  I love that sister always says, "My kids are being so awesome" when they really are being little scoundrels.