# 22

Julie's Tender Mercy

Today I finished my Thesis proposal today and I am officially DONE with this semester. AND I only have 1 more semester to go and I will be a college graduate.
My biggest tender mercy today was a interview for academic counseling for work study. I feel like it went well but I don't know. I wish I did, just because I WOULD LOVE it. Everything would work so well. They are moving buildings next fall which is a high possibility that they would be hiring for Academic Advisement. I will already have a foot in the door considering my position. So the interview was a great tender mercy! I hope its in the plan of mine to receive the job. I HOPE I HOPE I HOPE!



Gary's Tender Mercy:
When I was at the Library today. I felt a random prompting to write my brother on his mission. I sat down and started writing and the words just came. It felt really good to testify of Jesus Christ and things I have been learning lately in my life. As I typed the words, the Spirit testified of the truth. Which brings new understanding to the phrase, "testimony is gained in the baring of it."

# 21

Julie's Tender Mercy:

Gary is constantly a tender mercy in my life. Today is one of those days. He has been so sweet, tender, caring, understanding and just all around wonderful these days. I don't know what I've done to deserve this wonderful treatment but I thoroughly enjoy every moment.

First off last night at work I was starving and so I asked Gary to bring me a tuna melt. OF course he was happy to because he is amazing. But he stopped everything he was doing an made it. Gary dropped it off and to my surprise he got a bunch other little snacks for the rest of my shift. It was so nice and cute of him to do that.

THEN today I was so stressed about this take home final that was due at 5:00. I got home at 10 from work and I didn't get finished until 3:30 with minimal breaks. When I got hungry Gary went all out and made me sweet and sour chicken with a side of rice and broccoli. CUTE HUH! I am so madly in love with Gary and can't believe I get to spend eternity with him.

Gary's Tender Mercy:

Today I am grateful for Christmas. I am just thinking about going home and seeing family. I am grateful that now I get to spend all christmas break with family. Even though I got out of my job that could have been good I'm grateful that family means so much to me. I love this season and the happiness it brings.

# 20

Julie's Tender Mercy:

Today is the beginning of finals week. I don't have many Finals to take which is the biggest tender mercy right now.
I am stressed, tired, and am just so done with school for the semester. SO my tender mercy is the great way it all ended for most of my classes. (curse Integrated study classes) I have a HUGE take home final and a thesis proposal to do. I am so grateful for the payoff of working hard at the beginning of the semester for the end of the semester! YAY

Gary's Tender Mercy:

I helped two random individuals today. I was driving back from the college. I saw a guy and a girl carrying a couple broken bikes and a bag of cans. It was raining so I stopped and offered them a ride. I think they were surprised and were very grateful. It felt good to be able to help someone today. The Lord blesses you even when your blessing other people. Even though I'm trying to help someone else I was blessed anyways.

# 19

Julie's Tender Mercy:

A few things that have happened lately that have been great.

First off, this morning I was irritated with certain things going on with Lisa and I was going to email her and confront her about something I did NOT like. As I was getting ready to study the scriptures I asked myself what I should study. I thought of these feelings I had and thought that patients might be a good fit. Well I thought a little harder on if that's best fitting and realized it was more about unconditional love. Christ was spit on, hated, beaten, he had taken much pain from others and so much more and he still loved them. Now I haven't been had even a minuscule amount of that but it can still be hard. I felt like this was an inspired topic and I LOVED studying about it. Second off, WE LOVE hanging out with Christie and Brian for food and games. SO FUN! Its a blessing to have them here and for us to click so well with them.

We LOVE having friends and they are great ones!

Gary's tender mercy:

We have had a lot of hard things going on and it has been hard. It was nice to go to Brian and Christies house and have food and have fun and not worrying about the rest of life and the details of the busy life we lead.

# 18

Julie's Tender Mercy

Lately I have been a little stressed with money and being able be comfortable with what we are making. Gary got a call from an old mission companion about an option for a job. Gary went and interviewed and that day he was hired. Then later this week I had an opportunity and as far as I am concerned I think I too got a new job. I will make $11 an hour and Gary $10.

I am SO happy for this. I am excited that even though we will miss some of the Christmas season we will be able to create an emergency fund and sustain ourselves well enough to have children! I can't even explain the blessings that we have had. So SO many things have just WORKED out in our life. Moving down here. The homes we have purchased. The ability to do all we have with so little. We LOVE our Heavenly Father SOOO much. He continues to bless us so much.

Gary's Tender Mercy... late... forgot... bed...

# 17

Julie's:

Forgot once again yesterday so I am going to do TWO because I have so many things I am seeing in my life!

First My mom came down to see the townhouse and I have a really good feeling about this place! I am hoping all will work out and we will OWN it within 15 days! Can't wait. But the tender mercy came as a simple realization on how far my mom and I have come. From fighting so much I hated even being in the same house as her to laughing, talking, (being able to live with her a whole summer without a huge blow-up), and the great relationship that we have got now. I was constantly told that I need to just accept what relationship I did have with her, that I needed to just be okay with how it was. Sure glad I worked hard, fought for a relationship because now I am very happy that I am close to my mom.

Second, Today was fast Sunday. I am not the best at remembering this day but a great reminder text came in the morning for

someone in need of a little help and to pray for in our fast. I hadn't realized it was fast sunday yet and had already started making pancakes. I put the batter away and prayed solely for the one in need.The reminder was a simple tender mercy.

Then also at church the spirit kept speaking to me... GET UP. It was easy for me to ignore at first as I was entranced by an interpreter that we purposefully sat by so I could watch. It was too strong, I gained the courage and bore my testimony. It felt GREAT! I am surprised that I didn't babble or sway (I do that sometimes when I am nervous) or say a lot of ums and I felt like I spoke with conviction. I haven't borne my testimony in over 2 1/2 years... probably closer to 3-31/2! And I am happy with the results. No one said anything but I didn't care one bit as I felt the spirit testify to me this gospel is true!

Gary's tender mercy: The first time we taught for our calling ( we teach provident living once a month for marriage essentials class) I was nervous and I didn't feel the spirit really strongly when I was teaching. But this Sunday when we taught it seemed to flow better. I felt the Spirit stronger. I wasn't really nervous and more relaxed.

# 16

Julie's tender mercy:

Its been hard to get back on doing this nightly! We left for SLC but now I am back and I am determined to do this more religiously!
I have had so many blessings and tender mercies the past two weeks! so I am going to do a quick many tender mercies.

First, I cam home and found that I had gotten 150 out of 150 on a test! BOO YA! This made it that I didn't have to go to class anymore and just finish my research paper. Second, I went and got another test back from my psychology class and my overall grade was an A- and if we were happy with that grade then we don't have to take the final (and class was done at that point!) Then on top of that all one of my hardest (or most homework class) and because I did a certain assignment the right way I don't have anymore homework in that class! All the way until the final! YAY! and that class is the only final I have that is a real final! SO basically I have only one more thing left!

Second, ITS ALMOST CHRISTMAS BREAK! Which means its ALMOST CHRISTMAS! which is the best time of the year!

Thirdly, I am just so happy! Life is great! I see Gods hand in my life DAILY! I can't be more ecstatic about how blessed I am and how great life is!THirdLy, we have had a few money things come up and we have gotten low which makes me a little scared. BUT then when we worked with my mom for the weekend (we as in mostly Gary and partly me) and we worked so much that we got 400$ which is perfect because we owed her $400 for the down payment for our china trip. YAY! Such a tender mercy!

Garys tender mercy: Mags Morgan called me with a job opportunity which I have been needing.

# 15

Julie's tender mercy:

Today I finished a lot of homework! It was amazing what you can get done if you can just stay focused and determined.

I feel like it was a tender mercy from God that I had this serge of energy and ability to do what I did. I finished an 7+ page paper, did my draft for my cmap, finished another 5 page paper and this is all between friday and today (monday) It feels so relieving to get so much done. It feels so fulfilling and relaxing. I don't have anything due for a week now. YAY!

Needless to say I AM PROUD OF MYSELF!

Gary's tender mercy:

Fell asleep before I could ask him to write his.... OOPS

# 14

Julie's Tender Mercy:

Being in SLC its been great. I am so absolutely blessed with the families I have (Brunsons included) I just absolutely love coming home and seeing everyone!

My tender mercy is my best friend Jerilyn. She has changed! She continues and continues to be the girl I once knew. Kind, complimentary, happy, fun, gives hugs, and says "love you." I came home and I just felt so close to her. She was so complimentary and nice to me! I felt like a million bucks. I absolutely love her friendship and am so grateful for who she is! I saw her today, and a few days ago and I was just reminded why we are best friends! So today my tender mercy is Jerilyn. (PERIOD) Jerilyn is and will be a continuous tender mercy but today I have been feeling it a lot this trip up here. I can attest things you work hard for is WELL WORTH IT! I LOVE my best friend forever and always! I can't ever say enough about her!

PS. She just showed me tickets to Brad Paisley she got for her and I! Just cause (she's not as much of holiday/birthday gift giver) and its almost more fun because its 'just cause she thought of me! Not because she had to get something for me!" Oh how I love her!

Gary's tender mercy:

Occasionally I get promptings from the Spirit. Tonight was one of those times. The cool part was that I chose to act upon it. Recently I had a similar prompting and didn't follow through, so I made a commitment to God that if I felt the prompting then I wouldn't hesitate and I would act on it. Tonight the prompting was to write a letter to Brianna Brunson. I wrote it, addressed it, stamped and its going out tomorrow!

# 13

Julie's Tender Mercy: Today we got to come to SLC. I got out of my class, came home and cleaned, packed and got ready to go. My dad scared me earlier and said to get going and drive up asap because there is suppose to be a storm coming and it will be bad to drive in. IF you know me I HATE THE SNOW (while driving) I get so terrified and just don't want to be in it. So I looked up the weather right before we left and it showed clear! All where we were driving. The weather was fabulous the whole way! I am very very grateful for this tender mercy. I get so tense and worried in weather. SUCH a sweet sweet tender mercy.

Gary's tender mercy:

First full day in SLC is always so good to visit with family. It always reminds me how important it is, and how much I love my family. Its an eternal principle. The end!

# 12

Julie"s tender mercy:

I know we keep saying this but only if you knew how amazing our institute class is you would understand why its so tender and meaningful in our lives... especially where we were when we started out to where we are now in the gospel.

The Spirit testified so much today, I am lead to action. I want with all my heart to be close to God. To do all I can to put off the natural man, no matter the hardship I have through the process. I had 5-6 'ah-ha' moments and wrote two pages on multiple things I want to remember and things I want to do.Brother King sure know's how to follow the spirit. I have never had such a good lesson on Repentance, yep you heard it right REPENTANCE! You've heard it a million times but I have never heard it like I did today. Take a fundamental and give it to Brother King and you will want to make sure you make every class! I am so filled with the spirit I just want to shout! I understand what was meant when said (something to the fact of) you will want to shout from mountain tops to have everyone hear the word. Its true. I do!

Gary's tender mercy:

Today in one of my classes my professor who just recently just got diagnosed with Cancer gave an inspiring lecture on motivation. He talked about how important it is to develop "habits of excellence." Meaning, developing a pattern of behavior that promotes a healthy productive life. It was inspiring to see the great character of this man. You could feel the love the students had for him. It made me want to be more like him.

Bryon Geddes the inspiring man he is.

# 11

Tender Mercy

Julie's:

TodayI had the strength to ride my bike to school today (which makes me ride all day). I was quite tired at 6:30 this morning and dreading waking up I kept thinking that I can sleep in if I don't ride my bike. In the midst of these thoughts something in me just got up. No actual decision of YOU ARE RIDING YOUR BIKE... but simply an action of getting up, taking my time to get ready and with a serge to ride. With a stressful day and night fall 7:00 pm came and I at first didn't want to ride my bike home. When I started riding it was fun, nice weather (I love a cold brisk wind on my face it feels so refreshing) and a good time to think I rode home from another exhausting day.

Gary's Tender Mercy:

Julie and I bought a brand new energy efficient toilet because

there is a 75 dollar rebate that you get through your utility company. Later after looking into the rebate, because we are in a condo and not a single family home, as well as our water bill is already covered by the HOA fee we didn't think we were going to be qualified to get the rebate after all. A few days later (meaning today) I kept feeling like we should look into it more and double check to make sure. After calling a few people and visiting the St George Utility company I found a way for us to qualify for the rebate that will go towards our electrical bill instead of water bill. It was a great blessing especially right now because Julie and I don't have a lot of money to be spending
.

# 10

Today was yet another LONG Monday. I get so stressed by the end of day, Gary gets the brunt of it. I really try to be good and remember that I am not mad at him, that I am just stressed BUT yet it still comes at him far too much. So today Julie's tender mercy is Gary being so patient with my stressful self. I can be a whiny, needy, and annoying. Today Gary (as always) was just patient, listened to my whining, offered to make me food, hugged me, and just waited for my annoyance to pass. He was so good. I am grateful for his patience. Such a life tender mercy that God sent him to me!

Look how cute he is

Gary's Tender Mercy: Institute was a spiritual lesson on repentance and it spoke to my heart. Just further show's why you have to have your foundation in Jesus Christ and have faith in him.

# 9

Julie's Tender Mercy:
Today was stake conference. It was fairly good. I have had a difficult time in the past with stake conference but today I sort of tried to be good. Talked a little too much to hubby, writing notes to him, or drawing pictures. But in the midst I took some notes.

Later on I went Visiting Teaching for the first time in YEARS! Actually I don't think I've been since college down at UVU. Its only been a rare occasion.

BUT in the midst of putting it together, including the lesson a BIG tender mercy came out of it.

I met 3 new people and feel like we will be good friends. I have really been trying to be out there and talk to others so this was a sweet tender mercy that as I talked to my companion and 2 others that we visit taught it was comfortable, fun and exciting to see a new friendship start. I am happy and so excited for life. MANY tender mercies in my life. I thank my God for all he does.

Gary's Tender Mercy: We went to Stake conference today and I felt like there was a talk that was for me.

It talked about the priesthood, being a father and a husband. The spirit was teaching me and speaking to me. I felt good.
(Gary's gonna be a great DAD! AND he's already a GREAT husband.)

# 8

Julie's Tender Mercy today was my husband.

I had a little rough start waking up at 6:30 getting ready for the day forgetting a few things and then rushing. Once I got out the door it wasn't too bad. I went from one thing to the next and finally was done at 2:00 to go to see a house we really want to buy. When I got to my car I had a note from my lovely husband. It was an adorable love letter, just cause. He told me how much he loved me and that we were meant to be together. It brightened everything and just made my whole day! I just am so madly in love with this kid. YES we have our faults, in's and out's. But I can't explain the love that is there. Even though we have been married for almost 2 and 1/2 years now I still feel like a newly wed.

Thanks Gary for all you do for me! You give my life have meaning.

Gary's tender mercy

When we went to the dinner and a fireside event. At the fireside I just felt the spirit testify of the love of the Savior. It made me feel close to God. I hadn't felt that type of thing for a long time. This string of events lately have been really good. The fire is starting to be within me again, I had forgotten how good it feels.

# 7

Julie's Tender Mercy today: We had a big project today, we tiled our master bathroom. I knew it was going to be a lot of work and I wondered how it was going to be kneeling on the ground for a long time and something new for me to learn.

At first I was apprehensive to doing the work, doubting my ability to do it right and well. Gary showed me how and then handed it all over. He didn't even stand there to critique my work. He left to do something else. I think I have been critiqued for so long of my life I expect that's what's going to happen. I absolutely love Gary Lynn Lyman.

He is my SOUL MATE. He had confidence in my ability when I didn't. I did fabulous. Even though Gary did the majority of the work I laid the putty and put the tile down while he figured out all the lajistics

So to make a long tender mercy story longer, a project I thought was going to be hard and take a long time when it turned into a fun and new learning experience and reminded me how much I absolutely love my sweet husband! (sorry for the lovey dovey) and cut the tile.

Gary's Tender Mercy:

When we were tiling the saw was having issues and wasn't working problem and without that we would be shafted. I said a little prayer that I could figure out how to make it work, right after I figured out what was wrong with it and fixed it. Saved the day!

Look at my handy man!

# 6

Today was just an okay day. But even in our "just okay's" there are things to be appreciative of, be thankful for, and to see God's hand in our lives.

Today my tender mercy is one small and one bigger thing. First, One class got canceled! YAY! Second, my institute class was very good. We are talking about faith.

A lot of unrecognized questions were answered, a lot pertaining to my siblings.

I understand faith on a deeper level, so much that I just want to spread it all around-teach it as great as Brother King does.

This is one way I feel the Spirit testify to me... I get this excitement inside me to shout out-loud and proclaim! I got this on my mission. Especially when I was being taught deep doctrine in Great Falls by Brother Michelson. I LOVE the gospel, I have not

always been strong but I am determined to do what I have to-to strengthen my faith unto power!

Gary's tender mercy: Julie! Her smiling face. It always makes me happy to see Julie's smiling face, it makes me happy. When I woke up from my nap and you turned around and had a big

smile and said, "Good Morning." It made me feel good. When I was in class she texted me to grab something at the store and it made me happy that she was making me food.

#5

Simple tender mercies are sometimes the best. Today I had 2 little but very appreciated tender mercies. First Hamod and I traded so I didn't have to wake up at 6:30 this morning.

Second:

I have a water aerobics class. When I went to work this morning (on my bike) I could see my breath. Well I was very worried that I was going to be getting in this outdoor pool at the same time of being able to see my breath. BUT so very much thankfully the weather became nicer and the pool was actually pretty warm... even warmer than the other recent days. (who gets in a pool when its november! or in December?) We will be! A DSC class of water aerobics! Crazy I know. -Julie's Tender Mercies

Gary's tender mercy, went to a ward activity and played volleyball. For the first time in a while I felt comfortable and got a long well with all the people that I played volleyball with. It felt good to have fun and get to know people in the ward.

#4

Monday's are always long for me. Just a quick Monday and Tuesday look:

Be AT work at 7:30-10:00 (6:30 comes and its till dark out!)

class 11-3

work 4-8

THEN Tuesday:

Work AT 7:30 -10:00

Class 12-1
Work 2-5

class 5-8

LONG DAYS.

Anyway being a Monday I wondered if it would be hard to find a good tender mercy but when you are on the look you really do see the blessings in your life.

Today I had a group presentation that I made the powerpoint but the final touch ups weren't ever really discussed. We began the powerpoint and I was calm, collected, felt confident, took charge and went for it.

SUCH a tender mercy for me that all this happened. When I haven't practiced or know exactly what I am going to say I have a tendency to show my nerves, stumble in my talk, or babble on trying to make sense of myself. But today I wasn't any, I was opposite. This made my day. I felt good on out! Tender mercy for Julie!

Tender mercy for Gary. It was the first time this week that I felt good about being at weightlifting class unlike the other days where I didn't want to go or be there at all.

Tender mercy #3

Today was a great Sunday. This feels good to say because a lot of Sunday's leading up to the way I have felt most recently have been a drag. Feelings of having to go to church, to do this or that, feeling like I should when I didn't want to. Coming back to full activity and trying to gain the fire back for the gospel is hard when you leave. But nonetheless worth it.

So Julie's tender mercy today is: The fire for the Gospel is building in me. At church it wasn't even hard to be there for all of it (but I do admit the fireside that night was hard on me... I'm barely getting used to all three hours of church) I am excited, planning my visiting teaching, wanting to comment and participate and not so antsy to leave. It feels good and I am glad to spend this all with Gary.

Gary's tender mercy today: I haven't fasted in years and I had a very spiritual experience as I did

today. I was struggling with sin and we went to hear boyd k packer give a talk (broad casted) that was felt like it was specifically for me, it was really neat.

Almost forgot... this will become a habit

I almost totally forgot about writing on my list today... give me a little moment it is only the second day. I will be so excited when it just is natural to get on and write about the wonderful things in my life.

Today's tender mercy for Julie was my 4 hours of work went by fast. When I have to work weekends at the Library its just a drag. I tried to get out of it but to no avail. I go to work and leave Gary working on our bathroom that we are painting and putting tile in. I so wanted to be with him and helping him. Anyway, I was so grateful when I looked at the clock and it was actually time to go. Simple but very much a tender mercy.

Tender mercy for Gary. Julie lost her phone today and was worried that it might had gotten broken or lost for good on her bike ride. That's always a frustrating experience and I was really hoping I would be able to find it to be able to cheer her up. Right before the end of the trail I was looking on her phone was right there on the ground and it worked. I was excited to be the one to find it and give it to her to cheer her up.

(good one Gary. I didn't even think about that! THAT WAS A HUGE tender mercy for me today too! THANKS!)