I am trying to keep a record of the tender mercies and lessons learned from the spirit that I experience in my life.  For myself and for my family

We have had a tight money situation in our home the last few weeks.  A few extra things sprung up, two trips to Utah this summer,  not following our budget as well as we should have etc..etc.. have left us a little tight.  Wanting to make sure we will be safe over the next few months Klint and I put a stop to all non essential spenditures for the next few weeks.  I am sorry to say, and honestly a bit embarrassed, of how this difficult this was at the beginning.  I didn't realize how much shopping and "getting" had become a part of my daily life.  

 I have prayed for guidance and for the Lords help to live within our means these past few weeks, and He has answered those prayers.  My eyes have been opened to everything I have been missing as I have been so consumed with everything we needed to get and buy.  Running errands from store to store, trying to get "it" all done before Cole's nap.   This past week, I haven't gone to any stores and have made do with what we have, and it's been such a blessing!!  The spirit has touched my heart and taught me that I have missed out on a lot of service opportunities because I was too wrapped up in myself and my what our family"needed".  Since I have been home, every single day I have been given multiple opportunities to serve that I would have missed if I was out running those most "important" errands.  Stepping back I see that they really weren't that important, and I was filling my life with good things, but not better things, and definitely not the best things.

I also find myself more content with what we have as I have stopped spending.  I have found ways around situations I would have normally just gone out and bought things.  And I feel so proud of myself using my own brain to come up with other solutions that work just as well, if not better!!
I wish money was never a worry, but I am grateful for this hardship.  I am slowly but surely coming to know that hard things often precede, and actually bring abou,t really good things.  I needed and still need to learn this lesson of contentment.  I needed to strengthen my faith and know that the Lord will not let us fail, but to trust in Him completely.