Sacrifice & Blessings

Today I was asked to speak a couple minutes in a RS lesson on the sacrifice I have as a Bishop's Wife and the blessing I have received from it.  After pondering on the blessing I have noticed over the past 3 yrs, I decided I should record them in our family journal so I can always be grateful for Heavenly Father's hand in our life as Travis serves as Bishop.

Sacrifice- to sacrifice is to give up something valuable or precious, often with the intent of accomplishing a greater purpose or goal.

That definition describes what our family has to do to support Travis.  When Travis was first called in to the Stake Presidents office the night he was extended the calling, the Stake President asked to see me first before he even talked to Travis.  He wanted to make sure I would support him in this calling because it takes the whole family, especially the wife to support and make this calling to work.

When Travis was first called as Bishop our kids were really young.  Our oldest was 10yrs old and the youngest was 1 1/2yrs old.  I remember having a few little worries like how am I going to run the house alone, how am I going to brave the bench at church with all these little kids, etc. Yet my biggest worry was that I would have a lot of lonely nights.  Some weeks are hard than others, but I have to say I have never felt LONELY. I know the spirit has comforted me and blessed me.

The next main blessing I have noticed was the increase in time.  Before Travis was a Bishop busy season was a nightmare.  He would work late nights and every Saturday.  I was dreading his first busy season as a bishop, how would he juggle work, calling, and family? His first busy season as a bishop he was home every Saturday and frequently made it home for dinners at night.  Anyone who knows someone who does taxes, that doesn't add up.  I know his time has been blessed and multiplied, and still does.

Health in our family has been a blessing.  Over the past 3 years we haven't had major illnesses.  We have had bouts with fever or the flu, but nothing significant.  Sometimes I wish I could "claim" sick and crawl in bed for a day:), but I know this is a tender mercy from Heavenly Father making life easier for me as he is away from the home.

I have noticed an increase in all of our testimonies.  When my husband was first called I thought our kids are so young. How are they going to sacrifice their time with their father?  This is when they need him the most to shape their spirits!  Then I soon realized that this was the perfect age for them to be, they are so impressionable. Seeing their father go out and serve the lord so willingly at any moments notice, I know will have an impact on them.  Hopefully this is what will mold their spirits into being strong leaders of the church who love the Lord.

Maybe one of the most important blessing I have received is knowing my Heavenly Father loves me as an individual.   A few years ago while going through a trial I had my prayers answered during a hymn which meant a lot to me.  A couple years later on the morning Travis was getting sustained as Bishop, that song was sung as the opening hymn.  I knew it was Heavenly Father's way of letting me know he remembers me and loves me through this whole process.

Having been asked to do this I have reflected on the blessings I have received from sacrifice and truly see that my burdens have been made light.  I know that where there is sacrifice there will be blessings.  They may come today, a few years, or not till the next life, but they will come.  These blessings are not just about my life, but for all of us.  If you sacrifice in anyway for Christ, your reward will be great! xoxo