"I swear I had never done anything like that before..."

One day I was sitting in church and heard somebody say, "pray for trials... they make you stronger". I actually gave that some thought. Like... I thought about it all day! I thought about Lady Nie and all the trial she has faced with her accident. She has been a wowzer of inspiration to the world! I thought about Joseph and Emma Smith who lived an entire life of trial for the restoration of the gospel. I thought about the founding fathers of this nation and the soldiers who gave their lives for land of liberty! Trial! I thought about the countless prophets and wives who faced lives without children, persecution for their beliefs, hiding from those who would kill them, destruction of their homes and friends in the masses, calls to give up every worldly possession they had and the losses of children to the adversary from some of the most notable and righteous women to ever live... The trials of Eve, Mary, Elizabeth, Sarah, Sariah, and the mother's of the stripling warriors. The trials of Adam, Joseph, John, Abraham and Lehi, Nephi and ultimately, the Son of God. In a nutshell, I did a lot of thinking that day. A lot. And I realized that these people were all real and they were all loved. But they had something I didn't have. They had trial and opportunity to overcome it. They were stronger people because they depended upon Heavenly Father through their trial. Then I asked myself a funny question: Why would these people who were a bajillion times better than me have to go through all of this to receive glory and I should not have to do anything of the kind? Then I got worried... What about the pioneers? There is a trail! I had not allowed myself to get stronger... but I was ready. I must have been in a good spot that day because that night I did the most "off the wall" thing I had ever done. I prayed for trial. Now let me tell you... I swear I had never done anything like this before. But I was serious as a heart attack! And HOLY MOLY... talk about a prayer granted! Now please let me preface that this seems like a mite sized trial compared to the heroic people above mentioned... but non the less, it has been... hard!

Over the next few months the foundation for the perfect trial was laid. And then on January 12 Mr. Mecham found himself jobless. In a world where so many people know what this feels like I should not, perhaps, consider this a trial at all. But for the Mechams, it was. And it was perfect! We look back on the last few months with fondness! We consider that at that moment on January 12 we would elevate it to one of the greatest events that ever happened to our little family. All of the things we had prayed for were solved by this minuscule event. Our children learned more gratitude! They fasted and prayed like I've never heard children pray. That alone was a tender mercy. The sad fact, is that their mighty faith was what elevated that of their parents. Each of us became more solid in the law of the tithe. We lay giddy in bed each night thankful to have lived that law perfectly... if we never did another thing perfectly we are blessed to have done that! We knew that it was the best insurance out there! And it has proven to be! We can't wait to pay our tithing when Sunday rolls around! Our chickens laid more eggs. Our food stayed fresh longer. Our car got better gas mileage. Our children stayed healthy in midst of flu season. We were able to afford surgery for Nate and physical therapy for McKay. The list is lengthy. It is miraculous. It doesn't add up on paper. I personally learned something critical for my progression... something about my judgement upon those who financially struggle: though it is difficult to admit, I didn't ever see myself in that place and so I didn't have an understanding of what the poor and needy really go through. Because of that, my judgement was seriously off. I am soooo thankful to have been enlightened! So very thankful. The hardest day for me through the entire 4 months of this newt sized ordeal was when the sweetest little man pulled up in front of my house and I watched him from the window reach into his back seat and pull forward a big box overflowing with food. I nearly wept before he got to the door. We had a lot of food in our house. But this man and his wife wanted to help and they did more than feed us food. Bags of Cosco chicken, lasagna, treats for the kids, turkeys, roast and pork. I swear paycheck worth of luxurious provisions. From their goodness I felt the love that Heavenly Father has for us. I know that we were not only watched over but that EVERYTHING!!! would be okay. From that day forward, I did not worry. I knew all was well. Another sister offered her food storage to us. Somebody else dropped off his car for Nate to drive while I took the other one. Dear friends, knowing we wouldn't use our money to spend going out, made us dinner and invited us for fun at home instead. We took more temple trips. Our relationships got better! And Better! And Better! We learned a new work ethic. We believed more in ourselves. In fact, if you have a self image problem... loose a job! Then you will realize that Heavenly Father is taking care of you! That sounds funny, i know, but lets be honest, if the God of Heaven and Earth has enough interest in you to work miracles on your behalf doesn't that give you self esteem? Above all else, we learned that there is a little secret to trial that we don't get to hear much about... when some will ditch you because they mis-judge you for trial others will rise to the rescue. While some would say trial is punishment I would say it is a profound way for Heavenly Father to show His love for us. While some will wallow in their trial, I believe whole heatedly that it is to be overcome. And I will die fighting to overcome. While there are those who claim that trial is brought upon the weak I believe that only the strong can take it on. From this day forward, I will stand firm in my belief that Heavenly Father knows what trial to give to who. He is mindful of each of us. And I will accept what comes my way with a cheerful heart knowing that the person who said, "pray for trials... they make you stronger" not only spoke from experience, but he was absolutely right!
mark your calendar: January 12... the best day for the Mechams. WE (as in all of the Mechams) consider this little trial a mighty opportunity for growth in every way... to prepare us for what ever there is to come to us. And with confidence I invite all who need a lift in life to not only pray for a trial, but to be willing to find each and every blessing that comes with it. There are more than can be counted.

Our True Identity

The sun is out!

I can tell its going to be a "waffles for dinner" night at my house... I've fallen into a funk and I can't seem to pull myself out! YIKES!

Some days I feel on top of the world... dashing around, making beds, cleaning bathrooms, ironing shirts... running here and there, eating all good food and looking in the mirror to find a huge smile... Not today! Not yesterday either.

It's called a case of the "terrible horrible no good very bad week". Laundry piles + late dinners + concerts + ball games + past bed times + birthday parties in addition to the regular duties = busy! A.C. out + fixed = soooo good! Chick X2 died = very sad. In babysitting neighbors chickens they heat stroked and died X3 = feel very bad!! ant hills to destroy + YW to concentrate on + walls to paint + Cupboards to finish + Window door to repair + bills to pay + diet to stick to = I haven't yet eaten'... try diet again tomorrow... you have to eat to be on a diet. Visit teaching by the 15th = treats and phone calls + promised prayers and love and concern... call me if you need something! slams by friends. OUCH! closets + garage = a hoarder haven. coupons to cut = stacks of papers.

Time for admission... I'm an emotional drinker. When I'm super happy I think it's fun to drink virgin pina coladas or ice cold Coca Cola. I used to think that when I was super stressed out I ran... because I did... but lately, I drink coke. I seriously only drink coke (not diet) when I'm out of my mind busy or sad. When I close my sleepy eyes today I see brown fizzy bubbles...

Hi. I'm Becky. I'm a coke- aholic! Emotionally drinking soda... Don't tell my Dr. since most of the time I drink boodles of water.

I need Grandma Mecham. She is ultra optimistic! She used to say, "I am thankful that I have a full figure because it means I have plenty to eat." WHAT THE *%&$%*!!!

husband working late = overtime... that's good! Cole's old man, over grown finger nails = can plant a garden under there... I meant to say = make time for grooming my healthy child. Kids giggling with friends = happy heart! dreams of summer around the corner + weeds to pull in my garden = have something to look forward to. healthy family.= blessing. Friends coming to stay while their parents head off to Italy... EXCITING! Mom and Dad living just moments away = cherished. Friends called and then came over to help with ant piles = truly golden. Husband for eternity = treasure.

Something that made me happy that I read (here) has helped me patch myself together a little today... Pink slippers said, "the sun in shining, not outside, but in my heart". I love pink slippers!! There is plenty to make me smile... even under the fizzy bubbles and my laundry "to do" lists... the sun is shining bright... I guess it's not so terrible horrible after all. And I buried that sweet little chicken under the peach tree... Please excuse me while I take my capable body back to work.

This writing session was useful.

At your request

The requested recipe for the recent Easter treats is on my food blog here.... Hope you make an extra dozen to eat with your favorite friend... XO

I found this picture courtesy of the internet... It just looked good with my post...

Sometimes during prayer time I laugh. I know, I know.... it isn't reverent. But I'm going to justify it by saying this: If I were in a group conversation and somebody said something funny, I would laugh.... Today I write to remember. The wise old owl, Mrs. Smith, (she's not really old) told me to "write down what funny things your kids say so you don't forget them". In an effort to take the advice from somebody wiser than myself, here she goes.

Setting: bed time prayers... Coley's turn...

And the prayer began and was going quite well when I think he may have forgotten what time it was because he requested, "please bless this food"... and I opened up my eyes to see if he was paying attention. At the same moment he opened his eyes realizing that it wasn't dinner time, gave me a little grin, and then quickly shut his eyes and continued, "that it won't go moldy".... Good recovery! And then he even remembered to "bless the president's councilors".

Cole is getting quite good at blessing random folk. Last night it was "please bless the 12 apostles". No mention of the prophet.... I guess he feels sorry for them because they are too often forgotten.

But my own personal favorite was the report that my mother recently gave me about bedtime prayers... She was playing with the Mecham younglings while Nate and I were at a wedding reception. At bedtime Coley requested a little blessing to be over his parents "while they are at that BIG (emphasis on the word) Fat Greek Wedding". Mum still laughs when she talks about it.

I love bed time prayers.

Greg Olson is the artist of this masterpiece....
There were 3 amazing reasons why I was so happy that I chose to worship at church today...
#1) During the opening song I watched Haldon Lucero sing the entire song, "I Am A Child OF God" by memory while sitting with the deacons awaiting to pass the sacrament... and I cried.
#2) I got a hug from Amy Jackson... who was visiting from a far off place... and I remembered why I love her so much.
#3) I looked up during the sacrament hymn and noticed Orson and Nathan Holt preparing the sacrament as the dynamic Father/Son duo and I relished in the moment. I had the thought, The joy that some people must create for our Heavenly Father.... and I cried a little more.

I can't imagine having that missing in my life.

Peaches and Cream...

So the truth is that I (too) often hear people say that they will not have a blog because people just put things on them to show off! So, let me begin by apologizing if I seem to "show off". I tend to turn a blind eye to show offs... so I wouldn't realize it if I committed this offense! Next, I blog to remind myself of the great things that carry me through the rough times... and heaven only knows that we all have those! If I felt worthy to remind myself of a terrible, horrible, no~good, very bad, day it would be because one day I would look back and "show off" how much stronger I became from living through that awfulness... I would like my trade mark to be that I am DRAMA free! Which means that I can't focus much on drama... therefore, From here on out, I am declaring that my life is not all peaches and cream... but I sure like to reminisce of the days that it is... and remind myself that it can be. After all, I am a firm believer that Heavenly Father blessed us with all of this for the building of our happiness... And NOBODY will ever convince me otherwise.

I declare that I pride myself in only eating ALL health food and that the very moment my spirit leaves my mortal bod, that shell will rot before it gets to the morg... just because there are absolutely NO preserves in it... NOPE... ALL NATURAL! I must be the vision of health and wellness that every person on this planet covets! My skin is creamy... it is a mirror image of my inner health. My crimson squooshy lips and naturally Rosy cheeks are a dead give away of my fair and natural beauty. My fingers never swell. My stomach never bloats... and my sweat (which I do sweat~ only during my 14 mile run each morning) smells sweet like morning dew. My lifestyle is made up of PEACHES and CREAM!

But if this were not true, then maybe I have polished off about 17 batches of hot cocoa since Ms. DOMESTIC DIVA Ayalla shared her liquid love recipe with moi... especially with one of Sugar Mama's own homemade cranberry white chocolate cookie delights.... and maybe I can't lay off the cheese ball that Debbie brought over... and possibly the one that the HAHA and Handsome Hubby gifted is wearing well on my thighs. Usually, I can stop after the cheese ball and crackers are polished off... (although I ate HaHa's cheese ball off a fork, no cracker!) I typically have NO difficulty sniffing out the calories in the amazing goodies that are baked up and dropped off as Christmas cheer! But I feed most of them to my children with no problem... (HEHEhehhe....) Tonight when I got home from the family party, there were goodies ~O~ plenty greeting my arrival: bread, hip builders and chocolate covered pretzels, soup, and cookies... muffins and brownies... and they were from the kindest people: probably gifting for a family home evening activity...(which makes them taste better~) I don't quite know who to thank for some of them. I know two Willis families. They are both amazing people! One of them brought me bread, though I don't know which one... So, I thank you! And a plate of hip builders and choc pretzels, muffins and brownies... My gratitude to MS. (this is a gender related gift, hence the MS. and not MR.) anonymous! One small prob with such a delicious offering.... at my family party this evening I ate too many carbs which = the craving of more carbs. So tonight I went ahead and put the kids to bed and then I had my own tea party... and I do declare that the hip builders were spectacular! (they did their job= built up my hips) As were ALL of the choc. covered pretzels! I will save the bread for morning with my orange juice! Please don't laugh next time you see me... I am constipated and over weight, feeling fat and ever so happy! This is a continuation of why I love Christmas! (Even peache and cream are in season during the holidays!)

I had one of my favorite friends tell me (in years past) "don't bring your crap over to my house!" (meaning, Christmas treats) And though I love her dearly, I disagree something fierce with her on this topic! Bring your treats of love and kindness to me... bring hers to me too! And thank you... from the bottom of my heart! My dear friend, you will look way better in your jeans than me only until we get to heaven! That's because my life is made up peaches and cream... and in heaven, I expect nothing but peaches and cream in a celestial realm!