Christmas Prayer

When I was about 7, all I wanted for Christmas was a horse.  I remember that being my first fervent prayer.  I would say over and over again:, "Please Heavenly Father!  All I want is a horse!  Just put it in the garage and I will find it!"

Now let me give you a little background.  At this time we were living in Heyburn, Idaho.  Mom was single and had 5 kids ranging in age from 11 to 3.  She was a waitress and didn't make much money.  And to make matters worse, we would sneak into her room when she was sleeping and steal her tips so we could buy her a Christmas gift!

We lived in a very small house.  Chris, Arlene and I slept in one double bed.  I think Steve slept in a room by himself and I'm not sure where Mary slept.  Probably in the room with Mom.

I remember that times were tough.  Sometimes we would have water on our cereal because we had no milk.  I remember one winter that I had to wear my much older cousin's ballet slippers to school because for several weeks until Mom got paid and could afford a new pair of shoes for me.  But we were happy!  I don't remember feeling poor.  I always knew that Mom loved us and that she was doing her best for us.

I must have been taught a good lesson on prayer and how they are always answered because I was SURE that if I prayed, I would get a horse!  Well, Christmas morning came.  There was no horse in the garage. Or tied up outside.  Or under the Christmas tree.  I think I got a doll that year that Mom ordered from the back of a cereal box.  I remember I really wanted that, too, so I'm pretty sure I was happy.

So, do you think my prayer wasn't answered?  My prayer was answered.  And the answer was no!  Heavenly Father knew our situation.  There was no way that we could have a horse in our circumstances.  He knew we needed something better.

That something better came about 6 months later.  That's when Mom married Dad (Merle), on June 16, 1960.  He brought with him 5 more siblings for us.  He loved us and he took care of us.  He was a good man.

If, in my 7 year old mind, I had had the wisdom to ask for what I needed and for what our family needed, I would have asked for a Father.  Heavenly Father knew our greatest need and he answered the prayer that I should have been asking for.

Heavenly Father always answers our prayers.  Sometimes the answer is yes.  Sometimes it's no, and sometimes it doesn't matter because we are capable of making some decisions on our own.

I want you to know that we are always watched out for and our prayers are answered.  Many times I have seen that the answer to my prayers was in the process even before I knew what to pray for.  I know that this can happen to you, too.

I pray that during this Christmas season, and always, you will remember to add to your prayers that you want to do His will, and have your prayers answered the way He wants them to be answered.  I did not need a horse, but I certainly needed a Dad.  He always knows what is best.

We love you all very much.  We know that your prayers are helping us on our mission.