When you pray for rain...

I have a Mary Englebright card that says "When you pray for rain, you better be prepared to deal with some mud" I have pondered what this meant for years now... (a little slow on the uptake I know!) I wondered if it meant that you have to deal with yucky stuff and be prepared to deal with it - you don't always get what you pray for... well tonight I have a different perspective as the last 2 nights I with the others working at Huntsville Barbecue Company, have felt like I was hit by a 'mudslide' and I am so grateful and loving it!! So many fabulous groups of people from all over- Australia, Nashville, Colorado, and who knows where plus a lot of our local fav's.  After a slow early winter things seem to be picking up!!
This has been a very reflective few weeks for me. I felt very prompted to quit my Dental Assisting jobs and go to work at the restaurant and be home for and with my kids. At first I was thinking - wishful thinking - and there is no way that can happen as we need some income - however as the week moved on I had more and more feelings and things happening that were pushing me to make the decision. Greg and I prayed about it and talked about it and both felt strongly that it was the right decision even though we weren't sure how it would work (and still aren't)! So decision made, I called my dad and asked if he would give me a priesthood blessing to have the courage to do what I knew needed to be done and to increase my faith through this decision. I also asked for help in dealing with my child - (they all need me, but one imparticular has me really concerned.) It was a very moving experience as I truly felt that my Heavenly Father was directly answering my prayer from a few days earlier ( I had not discussed it with my Dad previously). The language used was the same and very direct and powerful. I felt such a peace with my decision. And even though I knew it would be so hard to leave working with people I love, I really felt at peace. (isn't it amazing that Heavenly Father cares about me and takes the time not only to listen, but to let me KNOW that He is listening!)
I am grateful for the opportunity to spend more quality time with my kids and my husband. To really be working together towards the same goals and purposes instead of crossing path's hear and there. I have been feeling 'spread so thin' that I didn't feel like I was able to give my best at anything I was doing and as I decided on my word for the year of LOVE, I realized that I was not doing anything for the Love of... but because I felt I had too!  I have a lot of work to do in the mothering arena, but I know that is always a work in progress. There are other opportunities opening up and I really feel like I am going to love slogging through some 'mud' while being grateful for the anwered prayers for 'rain'!