Tender Mercies

Today is July 15th, Steve's birthday.  I talked to Elder Brown prior to his departure to Alaska.  He is happy, and doing so well.  Happy kids make a happy mom!  Is it a coincidence that it is Steve's birthday, and Mike is flying into Alaska where Steve served his mission?

We heard from Mike a little later in the week and found out that his first "official" area he will be serving in, is Kenia Alaska.  That is the first area that his Dad began his mission.

Mike and Kate also, left for their missions on July 3rd, the day their Dad arrived in Alaska in 1980 to begin serving the Lord.

So many coincidences, or are they? I don't think so. I believe they are tender mercies.

"We should not underestimate or overlook the power of the Lord’s tender mercies. The simpleness, the sweetness, and the constancy of the tender mercies of the Lord will do much to fortify and protect us in the troubled times in which we do now and will yet live. When words cannot provide the solace we need or express the joy we feel, when it is simply futile to attempt to explain that which is unexplainable, when logic and reason cannot yield adequate understanding about the injustices and inequities of life, when mortal experience and evaluation are insufficient to produce a desired outcome, and when it seems that perhaps we are so totally alone, truly we are blessed by the tender mercies of the Lord and made mighty even unto the power of deliverance (see 1 Ne. 1:20)." Elder Bednar.

Tender mercies seem to be abounding!

Mike - Called to serve Anchorage Alaska Mission 2013-2015

Steve - called to serve in the Anchorage Alaska Mission 1980-1982

A mom on the plane took this and sent it to me with the message, "From one mom to another."

Arrived in Anchorage Alaska - in the office with Ken Lambertsen (Quinn's Uncle).

Steve in the Anchorage Alaska office

First letter from Steve to his parents.  Note the date and area.