Swimming Suit

So this year before Powell we were getting everything ready. Usually I let the kids buy a new towel or floating thing to take with us. This year though we are being very careful with our money and I debated whether to buy other things or not. I decided to give each on of my girls $15 to spend on whatever "fun" thing they wanted. We were all in the kitchen when I told the girls.
"Great" Jocelyn said, "When can we go get what we want ?"
"Right now is good for me" I replied.
Then Marissa asked "Mom did you get a new swimming suit?" (Each year I buy the kids a new swimming suit.)
"No, not this year." I replied.
"Well then, I want to donate my money towards a new suit for you" said Marissa.
"That is very sweet" I told her "but a new suit will cost more than that."
"I want to donate mine too." Said Jocelyn, with Tiffany chiming in as well.

I was humbled by the sweetness of their desire to do something nice for me. I was a little wary though because the last time I went shopping for a suit for me, it took 3 days, and about $90. But I didn't want to discourage them and their act of sensitivity and kindness.
I told the kids to get in the car and went to my room and said a prayer.

I asked Heavenly Father to help me to find a suit.... in our price range of $45.... that I could feel comfortable wearing in front of others.
Then I found my purse, jumped in the car and we headed out on our quest.

Four stores later, we had no suit, I had renewed my desire to loose weight and there was really only one more store left.
It was the Shade store, where I had one month ago purchased the girls suits. (I had avoided this store because their suits cost about $60 each.) But I didn't want to give up on the girls, so we drove to Shade.

Tiffany accompanied me into the store to look. I was stunned. They were having a clearance sale. In JUNE!! Have you ever seen a store clear out the inventory in the middle of the season? Many of the suits were 70% off.
I held my breath and searched for a suits in my size to try on.
The first one I tried on fit and I liked, but when I looked at the tag I discovered it was not on sale like the others and was more than $45.
I tried on the next one, and really liked it reluctantly I looked at the price. The price on the top was $14 and $8 for the bottom. It was all I could do not to begin crying. Tiffany began to do a little dance singing "swimming suit...ooooo oooot". I tried on another suit and again the tag read $14 and $8. Together the two suits totaled $44.

I quickly said a prayer in my mind thanking Heavenly Father for granting me more than I wanted. Not only one suit, but two, that I liked....in my size.... for the exact amount of money the girls had to offer.
With humility and gratitude we purchased the suits. The girls learning about sacrifice and service, and me learning of my Heavenly Father's love for me and the children I am trying to raise.
Reminding me again that his plan for me is always better than mine....even if sometimes we can't see it until later down the road.