www.cuteculturechick.com » tender mercies http://www.cuteculturechick.com The Culture-Loving Pilot Wife Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:31:06 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 http://www.cuteculturechick.com http://www.cuteculturechick.com/wp-content/mbp-favicon/sexy_avatar.jpg www.cuteculturechick.com Tender Mercies and Monetary Miracles http://www.cuteculturechick.com/2010/01/tender-mercies-and-monetary-miracles/ http://www.cuteculturechick.com/2010/01/tender-mercies-and-monetary-miracles/#comments Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:28:00 +0000 Nicole Bullock http://www.cuteculturechick.com/?p=596

Life is Strange. But I must follow that up by saying, “Life is Beautiful.” I know I’m not the first one in the history of the world to say those words, but the past 7 months have been as unpredictable as being blindfolded on a rollercoaster.


When I started an exciting job at a fairly prestigious university last January, I had no idea how short lived the position would be. After 6 months, I was out of work. I didn’t qualify for unemployment in neither Georgia, nor Utah. We’d been barely getting by as a dual income family, drowning in our student loan debt despite two paychecks. We have gone from money in our savings account and some open credit on our American Express, to paying cash only and living paycheck to paycheck like never before. In October, my husband bumped up to 3rd year First Officer pay, which now gives him slightly more income than a full-time fast food restaurant worker. Seriously.

In late June, Rosie and I drove cross-country from Georgia to Utah. We filled up our car with clothes and few other things to make Grandpa’s house in Spanish Fork feel like a home. We have been so fortunate to have a cozy place to live (despite all the complaining I do about its proximity to the SLC airport). Rosie’s surrounded by many children her age, and I’ve made some great friends in the neighborhood. I never knew I could adore a laptop and an unsecured WiFi connection so deeply. We haven’t had much, but it honestly hasn’t been so bad.

At times when I’ve felt my life was lean on blessings….

Something would happen to remind me of how incredibly blessed I am.
I discovered this quote through my bloggy friend Janessa by Elder Scott:

“Father in Heaven knew that you would face challenges and be required to make some decisions that would be beyond your own ability to decide correctly. In His plan of happiness, He included a provision for you to receive help with such challenges and decisions during your mortal life. That assistance will come to you through the Holy Ghost as spiritual guidance. It is a power, beyond your own capability, that a loving Heavenly Father wants you to use consistently for your peace and happiness.”

Amazing counsel, don’t you think?

December was particularly trying, yet amazing, for our family. As a challenge would come up, such as my back injury and being drastically overcharged by our moving company , someone would shovel the snow in our driveway, bring us dinner, slip an envelope with cash into our door jamb, or offer to fill up my gas tank. We had more medical expenses in one month than we’d encountered in the rest of 2009, but we have excellent insurance and manageable copays. On an emotionally overwhelming day, I confided in an acquaintance how exhausted and hopeless I was feeling about my situation. A few days later, a “Secret Santa” had been set up for our family…giving Rosie a bounteous pile of gifts under the tree, and cash we needed to pay our car payment. My eyes still tear up about it as I think about it.

I’ve tried to give personal thank you’s to all those who have helped out my family…but I know several anonymous TMI’s (Tender Mercy Instigators…I just made that up) have blessed our lives. To you, I say Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.
]]> http://www.cuteculturechick.com/2010/01/tender-mercies-and-monetary-miracles/feed/ 3 Abundance http://www.cuteculturechick.com/2009/11/abundance/ http://www.cuteculturechick.com/2009/11/abundance/#comments Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:41:00 +0000 Nicole Bullock http://www.cuteculturechick.com/?p=548

Today I’ve felt really happy. I spent a few days in California (more details to come) and flew back early this morning. I arrived in SLC, picked up my car, and drove home. I got there about 20 minutes before church started. I threw on my dress, made sure I had the stuff for my primary lesson. Sacrament meeting was awesome. It was one of those “burning in the bosom” meetings. I felt light and happy. I was overwhelmed with a feeling of gratitude for all the varied blessings in my life. I bore my testimony and felt even better. Primary went well (as well as it can with a room full of 8 year olds) This evening I spent a few hours with my family in honor of my father’s birthday. I was surrounded by people I love, and it doesn’t get much better than that (except having your husband around, but he’ll fly in tomorrow)

I’ve been reflecting on the blessings of my life, and I don’t think I express my gratitude often enough. Despite the recent trials our family has been facing, there is definitely an abundance of blessings, I’m unemployed, but still have a roof over my head. I have a husband and daughter that adore me. I have many friends within driving distance, and the rest are just a phone call away. I’ve been working through some big decisions and trials, and as I resolve them I feel peace. I know hard times are surely ahead. But on days like today, I am really happy with life.

(Must be the post-Halloween sugar high. Heaven knows there is an abundant supply in this house)

]]> http://www.cuteculturechick.com/2009/11/abundance/feed/ 0