Michelle Martin - Between the Now and When: Being Angels While We Wait

Between the
Now and When

Being Angels While We Wait

Between the
Now and When

Being Angels While We Wait

Michelle L. Martin

Copyright 2017 by Michelle L. Martin

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Editing: Catherine Garrett, Heather Green, Cathy Ricci and Kathryn Taylor

Design: Angie Lawrence

King James Bible used in all scriptural references.

ISBN:

ebook 9781630729325

paperback 9781630729332

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017961033

Izzard Ink Publishing Company

PO Box 522251

Salt Lake City, Utah 84152

www.izzardink.com

Acknowledgments

To my angel parents who have guided me all along the way!

To Heavenly Father and all His angels who have helped me, inspired me, whispered in my ear, and sometimes told me exactly what to write.

To Catherine Garrett, Heather Green, Cathy Ricci and Kathryn Taylor for their countless hours of kindness, love, and editing.

To Angie Lawrence for her creative brilliance, compassion, and generous time spent designing this book.

To Julia Hammond for her inspired foreword.

To Kara Arnold Applegate, Steven Sharp Nelson, and Steven Perlman for their time and encouragement.

To my wonderful friends who have contributed to the realization of this book: Kathy Robertson, Terra Taylor, Cathy Larson-Taylor, Katrina Troutman, Camille Kennard, Ken and Kendra Moss, Heather Rothey Lyon, David McCallister, Drew Johnson, Cara Baldree, Blake and Keltson Howell, and Johnathan Newbold.

This book is dedicated to my nieces and nephews.

Foreword

My mother always told me that good things come to those who wait. Even with the anticipation of good things, waiting is difficult. Making that time count is vital, especially when the wait is extensive.

In Between the Now and When, Michelle L. Martin offers wonderful ways to focus our lives outside of ourselves, realizing greater purpose in our lives, especially when they take a different path than we had planned. She shares wonderful experiences, often personal and poignant, that remind us of the opportunities that await us when we put aside our own concerns and step forward to realize the wonders of this life that God has given us.

We journey with Michelle to the mountains of Honduras where she joins with others to bring smiles to the children of San Pedro Sula and their families. She shares tender moments with her sweet mother as she faces a premature death. The depth of her love for friends, those known and unknown, is witnessed as she shares meaningful anecdotes. We ache with her for those who struggle with challenges far beyond their control and gain a greater appreciation for what we have here in our own country. Being reminded of our responsibility, the needs that surround us, and the commitments we have made, our resolve is strengthened and we are given the impetus needed to go about doing good. I am grateful to Michelle for her powerful example.

More than twenty years ago, I began experiencing problems with chronic pain, making it very difficult for me to even get up and face the day. Having to depend on my family and others for help was humiliating. I was angry with my situation and desperately sad about life in general. Many treatments were tried without success. Feeling defeated and unproductive, I spent days on the couch doing little more than feeling sorry for myself.

I was waiting for my life to change, waiting to feel better. For a very long time, I prayed to be healed, having faith that I would indeed be restored. My health didnt change. Eventually, I realized that I had a choice. I could choose to stay on the couch, consumed with myself, my problems, or I could get up and focus outside of myself.

As my focus changed from myself to others, my testimony and my faith strengthened. My energy increased and I felt purpose and joy in life. Just as we learn in this book, newfound determination enabled me to volunteer, to serve in demanding responsibilities at church, to spend extra time with those in need, to be a more dedicated friend, and to show gratitude to the ministering angels who had so generously served me. There were opportunities all around me to serve, to love, and to see the hand of God in my life. Facing my Goliath was no longer impossible. I have been, and continue to be, richly blessed by my Heavenly Father as I do my part. Those who read this book will find it useful and uplifting in their search for fulfillment during challenging waiting periods.

Between the Now and WhenBeing Angels While We Wait teaches us to refocus our lives in positive, meaningful ways, realizing that the twists and turns and experiences off the beaten path are the most precious and powerful. We were not put on this earth as observers, but as participants. There is no joy in waiting, but there is great joy in dedicating that time to our Father and His Son. Good things do indeed come to those who wait.

Michelle is a woman of integrity who lives her life ever thoughtful of others and their needs. Her compassion and inner strength combine to make her a powerful force for good in this life. I join her in testifying that our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ, care deeply for us and desire the greatest joy for us. May we seek and find it as we dedicate our lives to Their service.

Julia Hammond

Mother and Friend Devoted to Christ

CHAPTER 1

Bringing the Smile
of Jesus to Others

Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing. Mother Teresa

We are all waiting for something to happen in life. Many times, we say we will be happy whenwhen I graduate, when I get married, when I find a job, when Im healthy or healed, when I can finally get pregnant and have a baby, when I get that raise or promotion at work. We are constantly waiting for something in lifewaiting for someone to come home from college or overseas serving in the military, waiting to retire, waiting to feel normal again after the loss of a loved one, and many more waits in life! One of my life-long best friends, Kathy, was recently diagnosed with leukemia. Consequently, she had to wait for a life-saving match for a bone marrow transplant. First, doctors tried her siblingsno match. Then, the national registryno match. A few months later, they tried the international registryfinally,a perfect match from someone on the other side of the world in Eastern Europe. While she was waiting, praying, and hoping for this miracle, we were all praying, fasting, and hoping right along with her! This book is to suggest that while we wait between the now and when, let us be angels while we wait and recognize the people that God has put in our path, those who help us through our own waits.

Three months after Kathy received her transplant, I was able to travel back to Oregon and visit with her. I was impressed with how she had