We've been talking in Primary this month about miracles performed by Jesus Christ. It's caused me to reflect on some of the miracles that have taken place in my adult life. Shawn and I met almost 15 years ago, while working at Village Inn in Tempe, Arizona. He was apparently struck by my beauty (and who can blame him?). He stalked my car and decided to ask me out, even though he saw a Gloria Estefan tape on my dashboard. We had about 2 weeks to meet, go out, and become inseperable, because Shawn was fired from Village Inn for giving a friend a free glass of orange juice. There are many more details to this story and I will bore you with them, if requested.
There's no way that Shawn would have considered marrying me, had I not joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He was in love with me (and who can blame him?), but his committment to the church was unshakeable. I had no intention of joining the church, but talked to the missionaries more out of curiousity than anything. When I prayed to know whether the Book of Mormon was true, the witness I received was undeniable. I have never turned back and my life has been immeasruably blessed by that decision.
Our efforts to start a family were futile for several years. It became a daily struggle to keep going, keep fighting, keep paying, and keep praying to have this dream become a reality. There were so many times that I wanted to give up. I remember the day, about 3.5 years after starting the journey, that we saw a little heartbeat on the ultrasound monitor. It was an amazing moment. It's just gotten better over the years, even though she is the most willful, emotional, argumentative child I have ever known.
We were considered moving to California and received a very strong answer to our prayer about it: NO! We were flummoxed as to why the Lord would care about where we lived. We had no idea why we needed to stay in AZ, but we went with it. About a week after this prayer, I started working with the woman who would eventually lead us to Leon. Though adopting our sweet boy has not been without trials, I believe strongly that he was always meant for our family.
Prayers and pleading for Christian started when Anna was a little over a year old. Now here he is! All approximately 18-20 pounds of him! I have no idea why my life has been so blessed, but I am grateful for it, and my ability to recognize it.
Tell me about your miracles.
Thank you for sharing all your beautiful miracles. How great that you recognize all the things Heavenly Father has done for you in your life. I think we have miracles in our lives every day, if we just look for them. Do you remember the talk Elder Eyering gave a few years ago about keeping a daily journal to answer the question, "have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us?" I LOVED that talk, and started doing that too, not daily, more like once or twice a month, but when I have, it has truly blessed my life and helped me to see those miracles. Here is the link to the shortened youtube version of that talk... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF01BQAcj8E
ReplyDeleteI just posted a list of the things I am thankful for in my life, on my blog. slyseven.blogspot.com I would love for you to come check it out.
we sure love you guys and are grateful for the miracle you guys are in our lives!
ReplyDeleteI really want to know...was Kyle that friend that got the free glass of OJ? Paul and I were reminiscing about the good old days just tonight.
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