The Tender Mercies of the Lord

From November through January I didn't work much because of all I had to do with my mother, father, Cassie and her kids, etc. To say the least, I have a big To Do List. In many ways I just couldn't work like I had. I really needed to be available for my family.

So . . . Mrs. Blair is getting picky. Picky about the classes she's accepting. I use to scramble and work wherever and whenever when I first started subbing in 2008. But now that I've got my foot in the door and I've gotten the hang of a few things; I've decided to be more selective. With that in mind, I'm really not sure how much I will be working, but I can see the hand of the Lord in all of my doings.

Many teachers who had been laid off were dumped into the substitute teaching pool. Regular education classes don't come my way like they use to; instead, I'm called on to substitute many of the special needs classes: resource, special day, and the trainable. To tell you the truth, I like it. I've decided I even prefer it: smaller class size, help from classroom para-educators, and I get paid more. What is stressful for some people is far less stressful for me and visa versa, with the increased class size in regular education and no help - GO FIGURE!

I love all children, but I'm all about this situation I have evolved into. It has become my niche and consequently I'm taking on more and more of these "special" classes. I'm being called consistently by the same teachers and it has become my preference.

I seem to get just enough work mixed with the responsibilities I have at home. I have a lot to deal with, but I feel blessed as I get through each day. I have experienced the tender mercies of the Lord. Since Elder Bednar's talk some years ago, I have been more and more aware of the tender mercies that are bestowed upon me. I also see them in the lives of my family and others. Tender mercies strengthen my testimony.

"I have experienced the tender mercies

of the Lord and I am so very grateful."

Martha Blair

She's Made Her Choice

Even though Janna was accepted to BYU-Idaho, she has decided to stay home. YEAH!!!!! We really didn't want her to go. It was difficult for her to choose to stay because she just plain wanted to go. Of course she did, why that would just be the funnest, coolest thing ever; not to mention many of her friends are leaving. But she said she knew staying home was the right thing to do. Do the math - moneywise, familywise, Tommy's coming home-wise, Janna-wise, etc. The list goes on. She'll be blessed because Heavenly Father has guided her in this choice. It's a good thing!

"I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord,

Over mountain or plain or sea [or even stay home];

I'll say what you want me to say, dear Lord;

I'll be what you want me to be."

Hymn No. 270
Text: Mary Brown Music: Carrie E. Rounesfell

A Born Leader

My oldest grandson, Jeremiah, along with his brothers are having their share of adjustments with the new move. They have left old friends in Buena Park and are making new friends here. They moved in with my father so their mother can help take care of him.

Jeremiah, had to change schools mid-year. He told me that there are more naughty kids at his new school than at his old one. We've talked about choices and it is something I talk about in classrooms I substitute for. There are always all sorts of unnecessary blaming and tattling at school as children learn to get along. UGH! They are always trying to get me to listen to all the naughty. My response is, "I want to know who made the right choice?" If they can't answer that question, then it leads to, "What should the right choice have been?" And once we figure that out, then it's, "Remember that for next time."

The general instructions I recommend:

• YOU walk away from those making the wrong choice.
• YOU make the right choice.
• YOU lead the way.

And by leading the way,

• YOU teach others how to act.

School has not been difficult from the academic end, but Jeremiah finds the children at school difficult because of their wrong behavior. Of course, Jeremiah isn't perfect. We're all on a learning curve, but happily, Jeremiah's teacher has caught him being "good". She sees that he's setting an example and trying to do the right thing when those around him are not. He's received recognition for such behavior, YEAH! But I have reinforced to Jeremiah, his brothers, and in the classrooms where I teach; your greatest reward comes in how you feel inside and how you feel about yourself.

"You don't need to compromise your standards to be accepted by good friends. The more obedient you are . . . the more the Lord can help you overcome temptation. You can also help others because they will feel your strength. Let them know about your standards by consistently living them . . . No one intends to make serious mistakes. They come when you compromise your standards to be more accepted by others. You be the strong one. You be the leader. Choose good friends and resist peer pressure together."

Elder Richard G. Scott

“Making the Right Choices,” Ensign, Nov 1994, 37

Eddie's Here!

Yes, number eight grandchild has arrived, in Okinawa of all places.

We're happy for Rick and Wendy.

Photos will have to suffice until they're back in the states.

Edward Richard Blair

"Eddie"

March 5, 2010

8 lbs. 7 oz.

22 inches

Everyone, especially mom and son, are doing great! 

Check out Rick and Wendy's blog,

The Blair Chronicles, for more photos.

Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:
The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star,
Hath had elsewhere its setting,
And cometh from afar:

Not in entire forgetfulness,

And not in utter nakedness,

But trailing clouds of glory do we come
From God, who is our home:

William Wordsworth