Finding service

Last night, as I was attempting to call my husband to tell him goodnight, I was met with resistance as my cell phone repeatedly flashed at me. "Not in service area" it said, no matter what window or door I stood next to. I was immediately annoyed.

How dare I lose service whilst in a cabin in the middle of nowhere! Doesn't my phone know I have to make this call? That I have to speak to my sweet husband on our eleven month anniversary that I left him alone for on this crazy trip? Not acceptable!

I was on the verge of crying, feeling like the worst wife that had ever walked the planet, when an encompassing feeling of peace came over my soul. I took a deep breath, and calmly started walking around the cabin, up the stairs and down, by windows and doors, patiently waiting for my phone to indicate there was enough service to call, even if I had to stand on my head to do it.

Nothing. Nada. Zip.

I was desperate for service. Desperate to have that feeling of closure to the day, to be there for someone that needed me. And it was hard to find.

After I had crawled into bed, disappointed but resigned to my fate, I rolled over to check my phone one last time and found just enough bars to make my phone call. It was a sweet and blissful conversation with my Scotland. I was so relieved to be able to hear his voice, his smooth Kentucky accent and buttery chuckle sounded like they have never sounded before. And I thought to myself, Heavenly Father knew I needed service today. He knew I needed this. And I felt peace.

This weekend my cousin Lacie got married, and in a show of support, my mom's side of the family sent as many members as they could on the six hour trek to the tiny town of Torrey, Utah. We met my other aunt and several cousins down there and all banded together to help with the setup, serving and take down of Lacie's wedding. We made frosting and cut fruit and set out decorations. We served cake and fruit kabobs and lemonade. We cleaned up and did dishes and took out the trash. We came back to our cabin and fell tiredly into our beds. It was exhausting work, but truly one of the most satisfying marathons of service that I have had in a long time.

And do you know what? Heavenly Father knew I needed service today. He knew I needed this. I was searching for a way to get out of my own head. To forget my own struggles and work for someone else. And because of the wonderful people that I have the privilege of being related to, it was a very sweet experience indeed.

Sometimes you just need a little bit of service for your soul.