Thankful #4

Today I am thankful for tender mercies from my Heavenly Father. I am a constant recipient of them. A recent example is my trip to New York. Last year for Christmas, Shan gave me many boxes that I had to open in order. The last of all the boxes (which all had to do with Wicked) finally informed me that she was taking me to New York to see Wicked on Broadway the following October. (I think I gave her a scarf of something comparable.) It was part of her Mary Kay goal setting. I planned this pregnancy so that I would be in my second trimester during the trip, hoping I would be feeling better by then. We planned for nearly a year. As the time grew closer, I became increasingly unsure that I would be able to go. As I have said before, I wasn't feeling better. I prayed constantly. The day before we left was Roxie's birthday and I couldn't even stand up long enough to make her cake. I had to keep sitting down and resting. A friend came over to clean my house, and my sister came over to decorate the cake. I was nervous about the trip. I had even told Shan that she could take someone else instead if she didn't want to deal with my sicknesses. She assured me that she wanted me to come if I thought I could. So, I prayed more and had a priesthood blessing. In the blessing, I was promised amazing things. Even Doug was surprised as he said the words that he felt inspired to say. Sure enough, I felt great in New York. I got a little sick on the ferry, but that's about it. I walked from the time I got up in the morning until I went to bed at night. I didn't get dizzy. I didn't get nauseous. I didn't need a nap. I felt so good. The day I came home, I went right back to my yucky self.

Here's the thing. The blessing of feeling better in New York didn't do anything for anyone else. It didn't further the Kingdom of the Lord on earth. It didn't help spread the gospel. It did not affect my (or anybody else's) eternal salvation. It served no great purpose other than the Lord saying, "I love you. I know things have been rough. I want you to have a break. Have fun!" Now, I have experienced the other kinds of tender mercies as well. The kind that have eternal consequences. And I am grateful for them. But it really touches my heart to be reminded that my Heavenly Father is my Heavenly Father. He wants me to be happy. He loves me, not because I am one of his numberless children, but because I am Jessica, wife to Doug, mom to Ashton, Christian, Roxie, and Sophie-to-come. He knows me like my earthly dad does, only better. And He wants to bless me like my earthly dad does, only better. It reminds me of this scripture: "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" Matthew 7:11.

I am so thankful.

Now that I am bawling, I think some New York photos are called for, right?

We stayed right off Times Square. I didn't think I would be impressed, but I was. Pictures don't do it justice. We went to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. We loved it. Except the cold. We didn't love that part. But the history. Oh, wow. There are still places where the immigrants carved their names on the walls. These people who sacrificed all they had to come here. Poverty here was better than what they were leaving. And we take our abundance so for granted. One of these Statues of Liberty is the real thing and one is Shan trying to fool everyone. See if you can guess which is which. We also went to Behind the Emerald Curtain. It is a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Wicked. It was beyond words. Here is Indina Menzel's Elphaba dress. If you don't understand what I just said, we need to talk. Here is the stage. It was amazing. That night, we saw Wicked. It was my third time seeing it. It hadn't lost one speck of its magic. I still couldn't breathe when Elphaba sang "Defying Gravity." Literally. I could not breathe. If you still don't know what I'm talking about, please call me right now. We really need to talk.

I am so grateful I was able to go! And, I should mention that I am so grateful to Shan for taking me! And to all my dear family and friends who prayed that I would be able to go. And to everyone who helped with the kiddies while I was gone! See how blessed?