Angels Among Us

I really believe Heavenly Father watches over us and answers our prayers. Many times He uses people around us as His instruments. When I first had Nathan, my prayers were answered by the meals friends brought over, by the kind deeds people did, and by the thoughtfulness of those around me. And He extends His love and help to us even in ways that we haven't asked.

Evan has been gone for nearly three months for training with his new job. We are so grateful for this job, he was unemployed for eight months before. He left a week before Nathan was born. He was able to come home for a few days during the birth and for a few days after the Hurricane. I traveled to my parent's house and was able to see him for one day where we blessed Nathan. It has been hard having Evan gone because I miss him so much. It has also been hard having five children, one being a newborn, and all eight and under, all by myself. I guess I shouldn't say "all by myself" because that isn't true at all. My mom came and helped out before Nathan was born while I was on bed rest. My mother-in-law came for two weeks right after Nathan was born. My nephews have been doing my lawn. I have wonderful friends that have been such a blessing and help. I have not done it all on my own. Heavenly Father has been watching over me and giving me help when I have needed it, even at times when i didn't ask.

I like to call those whom Heavenly Father sends to help, angels. There are angels all around us. Many of those angels are right here in my home. Taneal is such a great helper to me. She helps in ways that an eight-year-old can help. She is able to get the kiddos cereal (which has sometimes been for supper), can warm up chicken nuggets, can put shoes on the little ones, can help with some of the cleaning, and can do little things that make such a big difference.

Camie has been wonderful with Nathan. She loves babies and is so good with them. She is always asking me to hold Nathan, I rarely have to ask her for help because she is already helping.

And last night my angel surprised me. Taneal was busy preparing a Family Home Evening lesson. I was trying to get supper cooked. Nathan was very fussy and had been so all afternoon. Camie tried to help with him but he still wouldn't stop crying. I couldn't get him to sleep or even comfort him, hard as I tried. I finally put him on the couch and let him cry because I had to get supper finished. My sweet Danielle, who is barely four, found Nathan's binkie and laid on the couch with him holding the binkie in his mouth so it wouldn't fall out. She probably spent a half hour on the couch with him until she finally fell asleep with her hand still holding the binkie in his mouth. She was my angel that night and I am so thankful for her and for my loving Father in Heaven who used her to help me when I really needed it. I took a picture because I want to remember this moment and how I really felt the love of our Father in Heaven.