Randy is Home!

My Randy is home! He got back on the 10th of July- three days earlier then originally planned. It is so good to have him home. It feels like he never left. I just love him.

Last Thursday we headed up to Spokane to house sit for Randy's parents. I forgot how busy it is with all the animals and I was exhausted by the end of each day. It was a nice change of pace to be really busy and I enjoy taking care of the animals. We went through a bunch of our belongings and were able to get rid of a bunch of unnecessary stuff. It is such a nice feeling to get rid of clutter! We found a bunch of gems- Randy's year books (I loved those), photo albums, old essays, notes, letters, announcements, children scripture picture books (I was really excited about these- now we won't need to buy them when we have kids! I loved them growing up, it was how I learned the main stories in the Bible and Book of Mormon). I felt like I was able to get to know Randy a little bit better by understanding where he has come from.

Of course Mitch and Winter came with us. They both just love the farm! Mitch loves to run in the big open space and smell everything! Winter enjoys running around the house and reaching full speed down the long hallway. We were hoping to ride our horses, but there are massive wildfires in the middle of Washington and the smoke was really thick. I didn't want to make them work in the smoke. Mitch and I did take and unplanned hike in the smoke up to the top of the hill looking for the horses. They wanted to stay at the very top of the hill and eat instead of coming down to the barn.

Our friends Natalie and Brandon came over on Saturday for a BBQ and games. We picked about a million raspberries, stuffed ourselves on hamburgers and hot dogs, and played Settlers of Catan. We wished we lived closer to them.

This week is just work at WADDL and big horns for me then Friday I am headed to Utah to spend some time with the fantastic Brittany. She is taking me to a Tim McGraw concert! I have never been to a concert like this before. I am looking forward to the many many laughs we are bound to share.

Things are good in the McBride home. 

A Tender Mercy - We Must Act

In last month's issue of the Ensign, there is an article written by Elder Richard G. Scott entitled "Agency and Answers Recognizing Revelation".  As I read his words, I could hear his gentle voice as if he was speaking just to me. This article contains an answer to one of my unspoken prayers.

We have been praying for direction in regards to what Randy is to for a career. This has included prayers of getting into grad school, prayers for specific jobs, prayers to know if grad school is what he should be striving for, prayers to know what God's will is for us as a family, and yet the Heavens seem silent. Eventually an answer came simply Just keep moving forward. But what does that mean? Forward where? We are stretched in so many different directions, concerns about our future, how will we keep our marriage strong if we are constantly so many hundreds of miles apart, or what if he is to take a job or grad school position in another part of the country what then? How can we start and nourish a family if we never live together for more then a few months at at time? Why does nothing in regards to Randy's career goals never seem to work out the way we want it? 

Elder Scott said, "When we explain a problem and a proposed solution, sometimes He answers yes, sometimes no. Often He withholds an answer, not for lack of concern, but because He loves us - perfectly. He wants us to apply truths He has given us. For us to grow, we need to trust our ability to make correct decisions. We need to do what we feel is right. In time, He will answer. He will not fail us."

As I read this I realized I needed to have more trust in ourselves and our ability to make correct choices and trust that God won't let us get too far down the wrong path. Elder Scott then gives three suggestions to find answers- Look for Evidence that He has already Answered you, Pay attention to Feelings, and finally Act When He Withholds an Answer. It is this last section that is helping me better understand the nature of God. 

"It is vitally important to recognize that the Lord also responds a third way to prayer by withholding an answer when the prayer is offered. Why would He do that? He is our perfect Father. He loves us beyond our capacity to understand. He knows what is best for us. He sees the end from the beginning. He wants us to act to gain needed experience: 

When He answers yes, it is to give us confidence.

When He answers  no, it is to prevent error. 

When He withholds an answer, it is to have us grow through faith in Him, obedience to His commandments, and a willingness to act on truth. We are expected to assume accountability by acting on a decision that is consistent with His teachings without prior confirmation. We are not to sit passively waiting or to murmur because the Lord has not spoken. We are to act."

Even with this deepened understanding, I still must put forth daily diligent effort to act. It can be difficult to act with purpose when it is so easy to get caught up in the cares of the day or when outcomes are out of my control. As I have no control over whether or not Randy gets employment I must focus on the things I can control- keeping my covenants, reading my scriptures, encouraging Randy and those around me, striving to become more like Christ, learning to act on other promptings from the Holy Ghost, remembering the times that God has answered my prayers and believing that in His time He will also answer this prayer. 

If you would like to read this inspiring article in its completeness click here