P.R.

The other day I was complaining to my mom that I don't feel like I ever receive personal revelation. I think Heavenly Father must have thrown his hands up in exasperation at my comment because since that conversation my eyes have been opened.

Experience #1:I had Eleyna loaded in the van ready to go to dance class when I realized my keys weren't in my diaper bag. I started searching frantically. Eleyna started crying because she was so excited for dance and couldn't understand why we weren't leaving. I ran across the street and retraced the route through the church parking lot we had walked that morning to go to basketball thinking maybe the keys had fallen out of my bag. I said a quick prayer on my way back pleading Heavenly Father would help me find my keys. A minute or so later I had the thought enter my head that I should check the pocket of the coat I had worn the night before. I ran inside, put my hand into the pocket and felt the cool metal of my car key.

Experience #2:I've been thinking a lot lately about the biggest challenge women are facing spiritually today. I've been searching for the answer and through some twists and turns came upon a talk by Sis. Beck from last year's Women's Conference. As I was reading it I felt the Spirit confirm to me that I had just read my answer.

Experience #3:I had to drop off some clothes to Bryson at work so he could go up to our cabin straight from the office. At the last minute I felt prompted to include a take-out menu from a restaurant near our cabin with the clothes, thinking that if he was hungry he could call ahead and then pick up some dinner on his way. When he found the menu he called me to say thanks and I could tell he was really touched by the gesture. It was neat to realize that the Lord is guiding me in my efforts to be a good spouse.

Experience #4:The last one was at a recent doctor's appointment with Hunter. I've been worrying a lot lately about some "episodes" (for lack of a better term) that Hunter has been having the past six months or so, but I hadn't planned on bringing it up during this appointment because I didn't really think this specialist would have any insight. While I was talking with the doctor I unexpectedly mentioned to him these "episodes" which resulted in the physician recommending some testing on Hunter's heart. A few days after the appointment Hunter started having an episode and we were able to go right to the hospital and have the tests done immediately because we had the orders from the appointment earlier that week. (If we hadn't had orders from the doctor the only route available would have been the ER which can take HOURS. Not exactly where two perma-exhausted parents really want to spend their Friday night.) I can't say that we've received any resolution so far for the puzzling episodes but I know that God had a hand in sending us in a different direction and facilitating the testing.

I guess my conclusion is this: Heavenly Father loves us. Whenever we start to feel alone, unheard, discouraged, we should consider the possibility that we may just be too wrapped up in ourselves to notice God's hand in our lives. I am ashamed to admit that it took the Holy Ghost's use of spiritual exclamation points at the end of these experiences to get my attention and help me see (once again) how intimately and regularly the Lord communicates with little ol' me. I didn't like realizing that I don't know my Father's voice as well as I would like.

An apostle's words...on personal revelation~

"As a young regional representative, I was assigned to assist Elder Marion G. Romney in reorganizing a stake. During the long, quiet ride to the conference, our conversation turned to the spiritual dimensions of our assignment. Elder Romney taught me about how the Lord blesses us with revelation. 'Robert(Elder Hales),' he said, 'I have learned that when we are on the Lord’s errand, we have His blessings to accomplish whatever we are asked to do.'"

"Personal revelation is the way Heavenly Father helps us know Him and His Son, learn and live the gospel, endure to the end in righteousness, and qualify for eternal life—to return back into Their presence."

"As faithful children, youth, parents, teachers, and leaders, we may receive personal revelation more frequently than we realize. The more we receive and acknowledge personal revelation, the more our testimonies grow." (emphasis mine)
All quotes are from an October 2007 conference address by Elder Robert D. Hales entitled "Personal Revelation: The Teachings and Examples of the Prophets".