In June of 2011 I made the decision I was going to be a Mormon. I knew fairly little about the church, but I felt like it was the correct thing to do. I had just gone on a trip to Nueva York and my husband had told me to "get it together or don't come home." While that seems harsh, it was truth. I needed to get it together, but I had no idea how. I said a prayer (an atheist with a hope that someone was listening), got an invitation via Facebook to go to a baby blessing, asked my friend if I could return the next Sunday, and the rest was history. On my 3rd Sunday my friend suggested I start meeting with the missionaries. I was totally a Golden Investigator. You're welcome, Elders. I just wanted to KNOW about what I believed in before I got baptized, so it took some time- 3 months.
I was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, into the most amazing ward. Fellowship was critical- and they truly met the mark. I was 9 months pregnant, mind you. When I finally (42 weeks) had my babe I was so overwhelmed with the love and support I felt from my church members. I had gals bringing over meals, coming to check on me, sister missionaries getting my fussy babe to finally sleep, and folks offering to hold my babe, admiring ALL that hair! This is just the norm for Saints. They see a need and then step up!
We moved to Arizona and got a little lost in the shuffle. But that's ok, they made up for it eventually and now it's just as much "home" as our San Diego ward.
Today we're in Arizona, 5 years ago to the day, at another baby's blessing. I've been reminiscent, code word for weepy, about how far we've come as a family in 5 short years. My husband was baptized 2 years and 10 days after I was. So many people, near and far, previous missionaries and their family came out to support our family. They could see the potential our family had to make it to the temple, and were there to celebrate that with us. My husband was able to baptize my daughter when she turned 8. It was so sweet. We were sealed later that year, and just as many, if not more friends, definitely more Elders, were there to witness our covenant in the temple of the Lord, to be sealed as a family for time and all eternity. How AWESOME is that?
Now we hold callings that help prepare the youth to make and keep temple covenants and we take this charge to heart. We know that being a covenant keeping person is hard work. REALLY HARD WORK. It also means never giving up. Saying "I tried," doesn't cut it. Past tense means you are no longer trying. It means you gave up. Don't give up! Dust yourself off and keep at it. It is so worth every effort, every tear shed, every late night prayer.
I never thought one prayer would lead to so much goodness. I could have never imagined the love and peace I have been shown. I see miracles on the daily- one of our YW is going on a MISSION! WHAT?!?! There were so many new infants at church today that my baby fever came back in full force. Miracles, I tell you! There is so much good in the world, regardless of what the media is depicting- and it all comes from a loving Heavenly Father.
I hope you get the chance to feel the same type of love and joy that my family is experiencing through the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. If you're interested, you can learn more at lds.org
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