December 5th

Another special little miracle happened today. MC paid us rent. We were able to pay our second mortgage today. We are behind on most of our bills but something seems to work out every time that we need something desperately. I know that the Lord knows our needs, and seems to inspire someone when they need to help us. I hate this more than anything. I want to be able to help people, instead of people helping me. I want to be the kind of person that is inspired when someone needs my help. I want to have the gift of the Holy Ghost with me at all times, so that that inspiration will come. I am so grateful for the gospel in my life and have been blessed with the gift of the Holy Ghost. It is another miracle.

December 4th

I attended a family Christmas party tonight. It was wonderful. 15 of my 17 brothers and sisters were there. It was fun to catch up on their lives. It is interesting how time flies. Some of my brothers and sisters are older and in a short time will become empty nesters. Some of them have very young children and are overwhelmed with their little families. But before they blink they will be empty nesters as well. As I have always told my children, it is over way to fast, so just love those little children. They are so precious. But our miracle for this day is the caring concern of my family. Some of them handed me money. It ended out being about $200.00. I was so grateful. It is not what I want right now. But our bills are suffering, and this can't do anything but help. My little miracle of the day happened once again.

Thank you.

This thank you goes out to the anonymous donor that paid Dad and Mom's mortgage this month. We planned to spend Christmas with Dad and Mom this year, but with the uncertainty surrounding the house I thought we might have to change our plans. Mom kept assuring me that I didn't need to worry. Because of you she was right; thank you from the bottom of my heart. My kids get to spend Christmas at Grandpa and Grandma's house! Your sacrifice and kindness will not go unappreciated or unnoticed. It was an answer to a heartfelt prayer.

Love, Michelle

December 3rd

It was a fantastic day. We completed our project at my brothers. Today I am thankful for having some work. It has been a great blessing. I am thankful for being able to drive clear out their in a car on freeways that will get us there fast. I am grateful for responsible children, who care about school. Who complete their assignments, and get good grades. I am so appreciative that 3 of my daughters are almost graduated. And others are on their way. They are a great blessing to all of us. I am grateful for parents who taught me right, and help me along the way. I don't know what I would do without both sets. They are amazing people. I am grateful that there are people who love and treat my daughters well, that don't live where we live. My daughter in Pittsburg is a prime example of this. One particular person just seems to know her needs, and seems to always be there when she is needed. She is an amazing person and has been through a lot in the last year and a half herself. Thank-you. And Thank-you to all the great people who make our lives easier. You are truly our miracles.

December 2nd

We have had a miracle happen today indeed. I have an amazing daughter. Through the times of economic depression, she has come up with a great idea. She goes to Savers, finds things and cuts them down and makes new things for her children out of them. K has a sewing project that is due. She needed some black knit. We went to the fabric store. It was $8.99 a yard. She needs a yard. Right now that is a lot of money. Then suddenly she thinks what would L do. We ran across the street and found a brand new Men's T-shirt for $1.99. Just enough to do what she needed. Amazing what a little inspiration can do. Thank-you L for being such an amazing daughter and teaching our family so much.

We went as a family to temple square last night. It was so fun. It was so beautiful to see the Temple. What a majestic building. It took the pioneers 40 years to build. What a miracle? Especially that we can have it now, and it is still so beautiful. You know that it is a building that was built with the inspiration of the Lord. It was fun to share in the beautiful lights that surround all the beautiful buildings. It was fantastic to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing, what a wonderful spirit to bring to the Holidays. I wish everyone could share in the spirit that is there. It was fun to have part of the family there. As they were running ahead, I couldn't believe that these were my children, that have grown so much. It was hard to believe. Another miracle.

December 1st

Fasting for 3 days is along time, because of that fast today the Lord truly blessed us and miracles were poured out on the Craven Family. We went out to my brothers to do tile again today. When we got out there my brother wasn't there. So I couldn't get him to take care of our mortgage payment. So my husband and I went to work. At about 2:00 P.M. we hadn't seen my brother. I said to my husband we need to call him. He wanted to make the payment directly to the bank because someone wanted to help anonymously. So at about 2:30 I decided to call him. I gave my husband the phone so he could talk to my brother about how to get on the website. Well my brother got on but it asked some questions to prove it was his account. Frank couldn't remember the answer. It asked what his first dogs name was. He answered it. The answer was wrong so he guessed another dog, the answer was wrong again. So my husband decided to get on a computer and try to help my brother out, because you only have 3 chances before they shut you down. The next question they asked he knew, because it was, What is your first daughters name? But even after they answered the question, the bank wouldn't let the payment be made. The website said he would have to call the bank. By this time it is after 3 which means the house has gone into foreclosure. So my husband tried to call the bank. They couldn't talk to him, so he hung up. Finally a little while later he called again. He and I traded off listening to the phone, for someone to finally come on, while we worked. Finally about 45 minutes later someone came to the phone, so I quickly handed it to my husband. Finally my husband was able to 3 way a call with my brother and the payment was made. They asked my husband several questions about if he really wanted to keep the home. If it was our only home. Then they said, so when will you have a job. He said the 1st of January. They said we will work with you don't worry about it. What an unbelievable burden was lifted off of our shoulders. Miracles happen! The other interesting thing that happened was that the cellphone died right after all of this stuff. I was amazing, because it could have died in the middle of the conversation. Our prayers have certainly been answered. Thank-you everyone for your Faith and Prayers. And I am so grateful for a day of total miracles. Happy Day we are still in our home.

The other thing that I wanted to mention is that about 8 months ago our mortgage was bought out by another mortgage company. It has been bought about 3 different times by different mortgage companies, so we are getting pretty sick of it. But the Lord knew we were going to be in this situation because this mortgage company was so willing to work with us. Our other one was so mean and we have talked to them alot to work certain things out and they have been a big pain, so once again we were truly blessed.

Novermber 30th

It has been a great day. We have been out at my brothers house working on putting tile in his kitchen. They didn't have enough granite to put up for the back splash, so he went and bought a sort of tile. I think it is sand stone. Anyway it is 2 inches by 2 inches and the little squares are held by nylon mesh to form a foot. It sounds pretty easy to put it up. But because it is tiny squares they try to move together so we needed a lot of spacers. Plus we had to cut a lot of little pieces 3 or 4 times to make everything fit. Very tedious work. But it is work and we loved it. My brother informed me that he and someone else who wants to remain anonymous wanted to pay 1 of our mortgage payments so it didn't go into foreclosure. I feel bad that anyone has to do that for us. But I count it as a great blessing. Frank and I got busy and worked until a little after 9 at night, so the mortgage payment was kind of forgotten.

Another amazing miracle happened today. My daughter put 50 dollars into my account. The question is does she need it more than I do I can't answer that. But she is amazing to do that. And it was another miracle.

My husband has been fasting for 3 days. So he ended his fast tonight at 5 PM. He worked all day long with no energy at all. I was plenty worried about him. Because doing tile isn't an easy job. I told him fasting 24 hours is efficient enough. He said, "No it isn't I have committed to the Lord to do this." I said, "Why?" "It isn't smart." He said, "Do you remember the story of Ester in the Bible. Ahasuerus, king of Persia had divorced his queen. Ester adopted daughter of Mortecai the Jew was chosen to be her successor. Haman chief man of the Kings court hated Mordecai. Haman obtained a decree to have all the Jews killed so he came to Ester and asked her to plead with the king to spare the lives of the Jews. It was against everything for her to do this. She could be killed for approaching the king without being asked to come. If she went before the King she would have to reveal her own nationality and get the decree to be reversed. But she told her Uncle that if all of the Jews would fast with her for 3 days, she would approach the king, and with the Lord's help their lives would be spared. And because of their faith and fasting they were all spared. Frank says I need to do this because right now my family is in serious trouble. So I can do the same for my family that Ester did for her people. Besides I have so many blessing that I need to thank the Lord, I just need to do this." He is an amazing husband and Father.