Harmon's Haven

Meet amazing dad Robbie, mother-in-training Jesika, 7 year old best big sister Bree, 5 year old boy in every way Gabe, 3 year old who thinks he's 10 years old who makes us all laugh McKay,
and 9 month old sweetest Quinn Marie...the Harmon Family!

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Thursday was just one of those days. Everything that could happen lame did. I had to go to the store in the morning and on the way I locked myself out of our apartment and forgot the car keys (which meant I had to trek up the hill to the office to borrow a key)...on the way home Bree had an accident in her car seat (she's never done that)...not too big of a deal because accidents happen, but I got home and took some groceries up (which is always such a pain with two children tryng to carry things!) planning on going back down to get the car seat to bring up and wash, but then Gabe needed to eat. So after he was done I went down to get the rest of the groceries and the car seat and when I got the car seat out of the car there was so much potty that it went running out everywhere...gross. So stuff like that kept happening and I wasn't having the best attitude. Well, I had told a friend I would babysit for her and 45 minutes before she was coming over the missionaries called. They asked if there was anyway I could give one of their investigators a ride, right then. I knew who this investigator was, she's a single black woman with five children, none from the same father. She doesn't really work, and I felt like she was only being interested in meeting with the missionaries because of the help she received. But, since the kids had just gone down for naps and Robbie was home studying I told them I would do it. Well, I got there, and her five month old baby was laying on the couch in just a diaper, with a bottle proped up in his mouth, sleeping. And there was a hair straightener pluged in right by his hand! Tammy was needing a ride to the Social Security office because her rent was over due and she didn't have the money. They were going to evict her if she didn't have it by 3:00 (and it was 1:00 already). She got through to the SS office before we drove there and they told her that her welfare agency didn't have any money for her. Tears were coming down her face and I just looked at her and her situation and thought to myself, How in the world can I complain about my hard day! Though many of the things that were happening in her life were brought upon her by her own bad decisions, it was so hard to watch and not be able to help. I put my arm around her and told her everything would be ok, and as I left in tears I repented for my ungratitude. I was grateful for that experience and for the blessing of having a Father in Heaven who loves us enough to bring us down to humility and gratitude when we need it the most.

10 comments:

Kelly said...

Thank you for sharing the good and the bad and all the lessons learned - I love your posts!

krista jo said...

Isn't it great how the Lord knows just when we need to be humbled?! I always find that on the days I am having a "horrible day" I realize things really aren't that horrible after all.

McGuire's said...

Thanks for sharing. Great reminder to be grateful.

breena rae said...

thanks Jesika. we all have those days and then we all have those great perspective reminders.

Matt and Erica said...

Hey Jesika! This is your cousin Erica (Rovig) now Robinson! Long time no see! I got your blog address from Ambers blog and started catching up on everything that's going on with you and your family. I think it's so nice to stay updated with family. Anyways, I also have a blog. It's private so If you send me your email address I can send you an invite. My email is erica.robinson12@gmail.com. It's so good to see your doing well.
Oh andI was in St. George this weekend for a "Rovig" girls getaway and we were able to spend an evening at your parents house. It was so good to see them and they told us all about there new baby grandson :) Congrats! I hope to here from you soon.

Team Heaton said...

So true! Thanks for sharing your experience. I think the missionaries knew just the right woman for the job. Not everyone has the compassion and perspective that you do!

Cara said...

That was a great reminder to be grateful. I keep thinking about that little baby with the bottle propped up and lying next to the hot flat iron and feeling so sad for him/her. Ever since I have been a mom I have the hardest time even hearing a mom talking mean to her kids in the grocery store! I want every kid to get to be as loved as ours are!

Ree-ch said...

The joy of the journey, President Monson had it right on last conference. I have been having a touch couple weeks at work too and ran into someone who had it much worse and yet had such a great attitude. Life really is good!! I finally have time off to write and say hi. I miss you and know so many more joyful memories are right around the corner.

Tim and Rachel Seely said...

Hey Jesika!
Rachel Goodwin Seely here! I am so excited I found your blog. I hope it is ok if I check in every now and then:) Your family is so beautiful and you all look so happy!

Brintons said...

Thanks for sharing your stories. I've definitely had days that seem like I can hardly keep my head above water. Thanks for posting. You're such a great example! -Andrea (Rhodes) Brinton