Surely an Answer to Prayer

I'm not really sure what has happened to me. I haven't been to Church all of November and not today either. Every Saturday I think I will go... Then as I wake up on Sunday I envision being there. I picture the meeting, Sunday school, R.S., choir practice. I feel nothing. And I end up turning over and going back to sleep instead of getting up and getting going.

The last time I saw the doctor I told him I was constantly tired and he addressed that concern. Now, I am pretty sure it's more depression than tiredness. Perhaps it is seasonal blues that is so much talked about at this time of year. Thanksgiving and Christmas are very difficult for me to anticipate, prepare for, and get through. I do it. But pretty much without joy. I'm really relieved after everyone has gone home. I've tried to pray and it feels as if it goes nowhere.

Today, the phone rang and as we tried to figure out who on earth was calling because we didn't recognize the name nor the number with an odd area code, the message began and gradually we realized who it was and I eagerly picked up the receiver and said hello.

It was Sister M. who served in Lorain early last year. That seems like a century ago. She said it sounded so good to hear my voice and to talk with me. She asked about our goings on and I asked about hers. She's back at college in Provo and approaching finals this coming week. She talked of an Irish dance class she took for fun and relaxation that turned out to be quite stressful and would have a written exam that would require detailing the sequence of steps to the dances they'd learned. We talked thirty minutes and I realized I was smiling and enjoying reconnecting with this wonderful young woman who calls me friend.

Because of my absence from Church, I was apprehensive as she proposed a plan for the two of us to study together because she has so much missed missionary companion study. She asked me to study with her and compare our thoughts and insights at the end of each week. We considered the Book of Mormon and then she suggested reading Preach My Gospel and settled on the lesson on Faith.

She gave me her address and for a moment we considered writing each other. Well, letters are a pleasant way to communicate; I obviously like to write. She said she would like to call on occasion to compare thoughts. I asked if she had e-mail and we decided that would be a quick and effective method to keep in touch most of the time.

After we'd hung up I realized that her calling now instead of some other time was inspiration. Heavenly Father knew I needed the call today. Then I understood that He had answered my heart's prayer even though I had struggled to put words to my feelings. He answered through another person who was tuned in to Him and heard His gentle yet urgent whisper to give me a call.

My challenge will be studying during the week and coming up with something to share with a young woman who accepted me and became my friend as she served a mission in the Ohio.

It feels good to know that He cares still for a child who feels lost among the cares of the world. And it feels ok to have a plan to find Him again by investigating the mysteries of faith.