Patience

For those of you who know me, really know me, know that patience is not one of my strong points. I constantly am working on and praying for help in having patience with my children. In life I struggle too. I am a person who likes instant gratification. When I want something, I want it now and feel annoyed when it doesn't happen or I don't get it right then and there. The missionaries came by Sunday night and shared some thoughts and scriptures with us on the importance of having patience.

One of the Elders read Alma 26:27

Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.

His companion then asked me if I had any specific experiences to share where I had exercised patience and reaped the blessings. At the time I couldn't come up with anything (mainly due to the fact that I was wrestling Katelyn on my lap), so I was honest and confessed my lack of patience and desire to be better. Then he asked Jason the same question. Of course, he was ready and waiting with an answer. He shared with them how we applied for Pharmacy school 3 times before we got in. He talked about how hard it was to be rejected and unsure of what to do. In our eyes we were living our lives right, praying and fasting to get into school only to be let down. After two years I was ready to throw in the towel. Jason wanted to keep trying. I'm sure glad we did. Then Jason commented on how if we had gotten into school either of those two previous years, there's a good chance that the job we have now wouldn't have been available then. A job that is one aspect short of perfection in my eyes (the travel still worries me. It doesn't bother Jason at all, in fact I think he will enjoy the time to relax). And the two extra years that we've had to spend in Laramie have been wonderful. We've been able to make wonderful memories, grow spiritually, serve in callings that have been nothing but a blessing, and be surrounded by wonderful people. I feel so blessed that we happened upon this job. That Heavenly Father did answer our prayers, that Jason was patient enough to wait for the answer, and now we get to do with our lives exactly what we have always dreamed of.

I haven't been able to get this circumstance out of my mind and have wondered what other blessings I have missed out on due to my lack of patience. So along with time, I plan to work on patience this year and be more thankful for all the things that Heavenly Father blesses me with.