The Lord's Tender Mercies

I loved Elder Bednar's talk about the Lord's tender mercies the first time I heard it, but tonight it has so much more meaning. "...Some may count this experience as simply a nice coincidence, but I testify that the tender mercies of the Lord are real and that they do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence. Often, the Lord’s timing of His tender mercies helps us to both discern and acknowledge them."

I also loved President Eyring's talk about seeing the Lord's hand in our everyday lives and taking the time to recognize it. "...Before I would write, I would ponder this question: “Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?” As I kept at it, something began to happen. As I would cast my mind over the day, I would see evidence of what God had done for one of us that I had not recognized in the busy moments of the day. As that happened, and it happened often, I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done." Again, I need to recognize that the Lord certainly is mindful of my little family.

Tonight in our hurry to get out to Erda for our subdivision meeting, Mark and I rushed around the house and outside trying to get everything we would need for the evening. We would be dropping the boys off at Mark's brother's and his wife's so he and I could attend the township meeting. In our rush, Alex found his way out the door and started crawling down the stairs. He made his way out to the car port and was cruising along the Civic. I saw him there in my mad dash around the house. I was inside when I heard Mark yell my name and Alex screaming. I ran out thinking he must have fallen down the stairs. I threw my bag and phone down and looking for him on the stairs, he wasn't there.

It's strange now to think back of how my mind was working and thinking. I knew he wasn't on the stairs and I immediately looked a the car. Mind you, I am screaming. Crying. Then I started yelling, "Where is he?" I could tell that Mark had started pulling the car back out of the car port, and my stomach started to ache. I ran to the car looking behind the car, then under. Alex was screaming and trying to get out from under the car. He was crawling out from the driver's side next to the back wheel. I grabbed him and held him close, not knowing what to do.

Luckily, Mark was there to try and calm me down. My mother always told me I could never be a nurse. I've held up pretty good so far when it's come to cuts and blood, but this was totally different!!!

We truly don't know where Alex was when the car started pulling out in reverse or what happened to him. My only assumption is that he was standing behind the car, and was placed directly between the back wheels where he was protected in a sense as the car drove over him.

He has a bruise on his cheeks and some scratches along one arm, but other than that, he seems to be alright. We took him to see a doctor for an exam and she said he looked well. All I know is that he is here, he was protected.

Once we got in the car we realized we hadn't thanked the Lord for his hand in watching over our family. I made Mark pray, there was no way I was going to be getting any words out without more tears.

It's interesting how and when things happen. I just took Alex to his 18-month well-child-check up today. That's a whole other story, but basically the pediatrician we saw told me that children like Alex may have disabilities in some areas, but that they are blessed in others and that I needed to find that special gift of his. Today, HE is my gift.

His 18-month stats:
Height: 32 1/4" -- 50%
Weight: 23 lbs. 10 oz. - 20%
Head: 46 3/4 cm. -- 20%

I even took some pictures of him this morning with his hair all curly - he's my baby!
He was certainly looking pretty cute!