So I Cried A River

 Today I drove for the 1st time in over a month. I felt like a teenager who just got her driver's license for the 1st time. I met some friends at Paradise Bakery for lunch, and it was nice to talk to them and see their happy faces. I work out with Cherie and Manami and consider them incredible women. When I left them today, I was sad that I could not go with them to the gym and get back on the bike to cycle for an hour, but grateful that I am alive and have cycling to look forward to.

I can still not be away from home for an extended period. However, I love what little time I can get out and enjoy a "normal" bit of life without The VILLAIN lingering around like an unwanted guest in my body. Today was a beautiful day. Finally, a little winter comes to Arizona; I think it was only 55 degrees when I went to lunch.
On my way home, I stopped to get the mail. For me, there is nothing better than opening up the mailbox and seeing a letter addressed to Mami y Papi Williams from none other than my missionary son Elder Blake Williams. I could not get my car down the road and into the garage fast enough; I left everything in the car, went in as fast as I possibly could, crawled up on the sofa, and read his letter like it was a romance novel. The 1st paragraph was in Spanish....but I'm sure it was all good stuff. I read on and began to tear up. I was holding onto the tears until I realized, "I'm home alone; I can cry as loud or long as I want." So I cried a river. He explains in the letter that he loves everything, he loves the CCM, the language is so easy for him he is the only one who could bless the sacrament in Spanish on Sunday, he loves the food, he loves the country and people, he loves to teach the gospel to random people on the street. The best is that he WANTS to be obedient. I see all of these things, even the little ones, as Tender Mercies from the Lord.
The Lord is blessing him so much, my heart is so full, and words cannot explain to anyone, not even my Heavenly Father, how grateful I am. Just the mention of Blake's name makes me tear up; he is listening to the spirit and hopefully remembering the blessing he was given by President Greer when he was set apart, part of the blessing promised Blake his mom would be alive when he gets home, that he would be able to share with me the beautiful stories and experiences he will have. The following 2 years will bring such light and strength to my son and our family as we watch him grow and turn into a man. Oh, how I look forward to the day when he will hug me again and tell me the stories of his mission. I am sure I will look back at this time in our lives and fondly remember with a soft, tender heart how much we were blessed. The Gospel is true and brings such happiness to families, even families who have to endure complex trials. Those trials are what build our character; they are a test of our faith in the Lord's plan for us. Do we trust him? I am so happy for Blake that he has found a place where he can feel protected, a place that allows him to build his faith; he is a strong person, that strength comes from turning everything over to the Lord and trusting him that on the days when he cannot find a way to move forward, he will lift him and carry him. WOW, today was a good day, and tomorrow I will get an email; how lucky am I?