There is Hope

Yesterday was a wonderful day. Julio started working from home a few weeks ago. We had deposited the paycheck the day before, so I went to the store and bought all sorts of things we haven't been able to afford that many might consider necessity. I got ice cream just for fun and I even let the kids wander through the toy section for a little bit. I was so proud of them when instead of asking for stuff and fussing like they used to they looked and said "Oh I like that one...but I don't need it." I had this wonderful feeling of gratitude and hope. The Lord has always been mindful of us and blessed us. But I realized something about faith and trials. After Julio graduated and we were looking for work for months we were constantly blessed with some little job to pay our immediate bills. This time we felt assured that whatever was around the corner would be a great blessing. However, for more than a month there was no work at all. All the little jobs fell through. It was terrifying for me. I suddenly realized that we were in the same position as many of the prophets and families in the scriptures. That we had to demonstrate faith even when there was no reassurance. Joseph Smith sat in jail for months wondering where the Lord was. Lehi had wait for days or weeks while his sons went to get the plates. And can you imagine how the Apostles must have felt waiting for three days before the Savior was resurrected? Faith is believing even when there are not immediate blessings. If they can go through these huge trials with faith surely I can hang on for a short while. And yesterday I realized my little bit of faith has been rewarded so greatly. We have our material needs plus a little, I have a husband around now who can help me when I need it (I try not to need it), and many little blessings. I could go on but let it suffice to say the Lord is mindful of us all and is willing to bless us.