I am so grateful for my Father in Heaven. He seems always to
know just what I need, and He is so generous in blessing me with His love.
Today is no exception. Even as I write these words, they seem so lackluster in
comparison to the feelings behind them.
I was out of
town this last weekend, and missed the General Women’s Meeting of my church. I
realize how this might sound, but I think I was supposed to miss it. We were in Oklahoma for the Buley
family reunion, and it was a lovely experience for all of us to spend time with
and meet Ken’s extended family. We were able to meet Ken’s father’s cousins,
and see Ken’s grandfather’s grave, and the places where Ken’s dad spent time as
a child, and hear wonderful stories of
his family that seemed to fill a void somehow. My heritage is so real to
me that I have found Ken’s lack of knowledge of his a little disconcerting at times. I
think we both feel like a piece to our puzzle has been restored somehow after
this reuinion. I hope we are able to attend more like this, and take advantage
of the time we have with Ken’s family. It is such a huge blessing. I love how
important family is to us! It was really a beautiful time.
But, to set up
the whole reason for this post, I had better go back a little, and set the
stage. Recently I have been
feeling pretty lonely. It’s not that I don’t have a wonderful husband and
family, I do. It’s not that Texas isn’t a great place, it is. It’s not even
that I haven’t made wonderful friends here, and kept the best friends a girl
could have back home. I have all these things, but it’s not the same as having
sisters.
I think that I
am starting to feel the void of having no sisters. I watch those around me have
such close bonds with their sisters. Sisters seem to be everyone’s best friends
when they grow up. All my close girls have the best relationships with their
sisters, and they seem not to need closer relationships with those around them.
I am being blessed with sisters in law this year, though they have sisters of
their own. Somehow, I have been feeling like I have been completely left out of
this sister loop.
Now let me
say, for the record, that I love my brothers. They are the best. They are
sweet, endearing boys, and I am so grateful for them! I love to spend time with
them, and I love to hear from them. They are my siblings, we share so much!
But, it’s not the same as having a sister. Not really. Because, after all, women need women, right?
So, this has
been in my mind and in my heart lately. A simple, silent plea to not feel so
isolated as a woman. I heartfelt yearning for sisters of my own, or at least
for friends who can help to fill the void. I’m not even sure I had prayed about
it. But, sometimes I find that prayers can be unuttered, but answered
nonetheless.
As I sat down
this morning to watch the General Women’s meeting, I was overcome. The images
of women of all ages meeting together and feeling their collective power and
testimony brought tears to my eyes. And, those tears continued as talk after talk
touched my heart. As the videos played, as the music poured from these dear
sisters, I felt that I was not alone, and that I have millions of sisters. I
have so many sisters that I cannot number them. And, like my Father in Heaven,
they love me as I love them. This
simple, inspired meeting answered my prayer, and filled my heart with a feeling
of sisterhood.
Heavenly
Father knew what I needed. He knew that my sisters were all around me, and that
I simply needed to be reminded of their presence. He knew I needed to know I
was not alone, and that He loved me enough to send me to a home where I would
have the Gospel. He knows me, He loves me. And I know that I am no exception.
He loves us all as His daughters, no matter what we do, no matter who we are,
and no matter where we are. He
even helped B to nap so I could watch this meeting and blog about it (pretty
amazing if you know my crazy son). Heavenly Father truly knows and answers prayers. He knows how
to touch our hearts and fill them with His love. I could not be more grateful.
Missed it? Don't wait another minute...
Seen it? I think it's worth watching again.
Seen it? I think it's worth watching again.
