Unbelievable kindness

In the last seven days, I have been the recipient of so many, many acts of kindness. It definitely feels overwhelming to me and fills me with gratitude.

From so many darling friends bringing dinner, to flowers from a sweet neighbor, to flowers and more than one night of dinner brought by my incredible sister-in-law that just moved here (and definitely didn't need one more thing to do with her time), to my cute sister mailing a book to me (I think she might know me a little) and a movie for the kids, the kindness just keeps on coming. My parents have come more than once to bring lunch and make sure I was okay, as well as calling multiple times a day. And Jacob's parents called from their mission to see how I was doing. My Relief Society president has checked on me, visited me, insisted on more meals being brought in then I wanted to allow and has just been amazing. My visiting teachers have brought food and both they, and our home teachers, have come to visit and have repeatedly asked what they could do to help. In addition, several other family and friends have offered to help and have emailed and texted to make sure I was recovering well. All of them have been willing to do anything for us, if we needed it.

And Jacob and our kids...I don't even have words for the love they have shown me. The way the kids have stepped in quickly to help without being asked. The way they have tended each other as long as was needed, especially in the first few days when I was sleeping a lot. And Jacob Allen. Good grief, I hit the jackpot when I married him. He has gone above and beyond in a way that I honestly don't even know how to describe in words. He hasn't just done the minimum as a husband and dad (although that would have been wonderful and I would still be grateful), he has been no less than amazing. He has done everything in his power to make the last week and a half, happy and good and stress-free for all of us. (Well, likely except for him, but he hasn't shown it.)

It truly brings me to tears to think of the unbelievable kindness that has been extended to me. I'm reminded me of a talk I love by Elder Joseph B. Wirthin. In it he says:

"Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental characteristic of the noblest

men and women I have known. Kindness is a passport that opens doors and 

fashions friends. It softens hearts and molds relationships that can last lifetimes.

Kindness is the essence of a celestial life. Kindness is how a Christlike person treats others."

I feel so blessed to have so much goodness in my life--so many who are willing to reach out to me at a time when I have been able to do so little in return.

In addition and mostly, I have felt God's kindness to me in ways that have felt profound and even tangible. I have felt His understanding of the struggle I have gone through with having to do so little and be so still. I have felt the way He has guided this particular time in my life (I do know He always guides my life, but sometimes it feels so obvious and beautiful) in a way that has overwhelmed me with gratitude. As I sit typing this all, with tears in my eyes, I just can't believe that I get to be one of His daughters and that He treats me with so much benevolence and goodness.

Oh I'm blessed. Much more than I deserve. I am so thankful.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to each one of you. I'm so grateful for you in my life.