I felt like this passed weekend was busy and not as planned. Saturday (3/28) was a busy day, which we knew it would be, but life has a way sometimes of throwing unexpected wrenches in there. We began the day with Jake having breakfast with some of the men in the ward at 8:30 and I ran to the grocery. We had the ward Easter egg hunt fro 10-11:30 and then came home a few minutes. Jake began editing the Easter Program and I went to show houses. We met at the Collierville ward building at 4:30 because Aubree was playing a special musical number, in which she nailed it. There was a tender moment when she asked me if Jake would turn the pages for her and hold the microphone (she later stated she was nervous and her leg was shaking...her dad has a calming presence for sure). I went to the hall to ask him and he agreed. The comical part was that he was in jeans and a hoodie and most other people were in Sunday dress but how were we to know? It was evident of his love for his daughter.
After the Easter musical recital concluded, we headed to the truck to head home and get ready to chaperone the youth dance. However, he received a voice mail from Brother Richard Floyd about 20 minutes prior that Sister Rita Floyd had passed away. He was somber when he told and and wanted to pray. I got out of the car to give him his time with God. He said I could stay in but sometimes you just need it to be you and our Father in heaven. He went home and changed into his suit and went to Brother Floyd's and I went to the dance. He arrived at the dance after a couple hours and only one hour left in the dance but was beckoned for another call with the stake president, which was not an ideal call. He walked back in during the last song and we shared a dance together.
After the dance, we helped clean up and began to set up chairs for Sunday service when I received a frantic call from Christopher. He and Will had just been in accident. Someone hit them at an intersection. But God... and tender mercy 1 was that they were okay. A little shaken up but okay and it could have been much worse. The car is totaled but our boys are good.
Sunday morning Jake woke up and still seemed very somber, it was obvious a lot was on his heart and mind. Since general conference is this upcoming week, church was only one hour and our Easter program. The service was beautiful. The music was uplifting and inspiring. Everyone had been invited to bring a friend, we had invited several people but only 2 could make it. Most other members had no one else with them, however, we did about 8-9 non members and 2 less active families, so that is a win. Our average attendance for the Bartlett 2nd ward has been about 210, but we had a little over 230 there Sunday. Brother Floyd showed up to church, even after losing his wife the late afternoon before, and even sang with the choir. You could see the hurt in his eyes. Jake was fortunate to be able to sit by him in the choir. It was evident that Brother Floyd was sad but he could not have been by a better person. Aubree accompanied a couple of numbers for others and played beautifully.
But God...and tender mercy 2 was a beautiful spirit and peace during the sacrament meeting. After church, we went to to Rebekah's a few minutes and then to the Marshall's for a craw fish boil to honor Logan Ritter's return from his mission. There were several people there and it was a nice time. I think our favorite part was watching Will interact with the girl he likes. He convinced her to try craw fish and later that night even asked her out for Monday night, which was his first date. He took her to Gus's Fried chicken and then for shakes. But God....and tender mercy 3 was seeing Will all smiles Sunday and after his date Monday.
Driving home Sunday, I asked the boys the best part of their day. They both enjoyed the craw fish broil. Jake said his favorite part of Sunday was watching Will and Millie. He was enjoying himself. We also received the following text from a ward member: "I've been meaning to share this all day. Ricky Packard's song ("Come as you are" by Nathan Pacheaco and accompanied by Aubree) wrecked my today. Not by anything he did but by seeing our sweet sweet bishop with his arm around a completely broken Brother Floyd. Jake, I know you were called to be our bishop at this time. You are truly a blessing to our ward."
But God....and tender mercy 4 was the peace I saw Jake feel, him say it was a good day and balm to his soul, and him telling me that "God answered a prayer I didn't utter.". The night only got better. But God...and tender mercy 5 was Ginny telling us that she was ready to go to the temple and set a date. She has had her living ordinance recommend for a monthish now but did not mention it to us. She help the right to not use it. We are over-joyed to see her take this next step.
Sunday I lost my car keys and house key. I looked everywhere at church and even posted asking others if they had mistakenly taken. I prayed that evening that I would find them and yesterday I found them in my car after a thought came to my mind to check under the seat. Now, why would this matter? The car should not lock with the keys still in there and it was, giving no indication that I should even check in the car. Also, a couple weeks ago I prayed to ask Heavenly Father to help me do more with real estate this year because I want to put money back in our savings. The following week, I had 3 people reach out to potentially buy a home. But God...and tender mercy 6 is He hears and answers our prayers in all aspects from employment to lost keys to unspoken prayers of safety and comfort. He provides the balm our souls long for. My testimony of prayer has increased over the last few weeks and I know He is there.
