Answered Prayers

Two nights ago, as I was putting Van to bed, we couldn't find his elephant.  This is not an uncommon experience since he loves to drag it all over and play with it.  When this happens Brian and I start the search and always find it quickly.  It's usually in one of a handful of places.  That night we started the search and after 10 minutes still came up empty handed.  I looked in all the regular places (mostly inside of certain other toys) and it was nowhere to be found.  I told him to hold tight to his Curious George for the night and we would look for him more the next day.  Thankfully he has become pretty attached to George and he went to sleep without too much fuss. We looked the next day to no avail.  Last night he had to once again sleep with just George and we was very sad but brave about it.  Tonight as I was putting him to bed he once again asked for his elephant and just looked broken hearted when I told him we still couldn't find him.  I didn't know what to do! I asked him if he wanted to say a prayer and he said yes.  He had me help him and we prayed that Heavenly Father would help us find his elephant.  After the prayer I asked him if he had any new ideas about where to look since we prayed.  I had asked him several times already that night and he always said he didn't know.  This time he said "check my mailbox, he's probably in there" without any hesitation.  I had checked the mailbox before and knew it wasn't in there but I told him I would check.  As I walked to the basement I sent up a prayer of my own that I would be able to come through for my little boy and find his elephant.   I went right to his toy mailbox.  Sure enough his elephant was miraculously inside.  I paused as I looked at his beloved toy and was overcome by how much God loves us and answers our prayers.  Especially those of sweet little children who have such unwavering faith.  I took the cherished toy up to my sweet Van.  When he saw it he lit up.  I gave him his elephant and asked if he wanted to say a prayer to thank Heavenly Father.  This time he needed no assistance.  Enthusiastically, he offered up a simple but heartfelt prayer of thanksgiving "thank you for helping me and my Mom find my elephant,".  As I kissed him and left the room tears were streaming down my face.  I am so grateful for a Heavenly Father who answers our prayers.  Even if they are about silly stuffed elephants.