Death- Where is Thy Victory?

Today marks 10 years since my wonderful Aunt Lana passed away after a valiant fight with Breast Cancer- leaving behind a wonderful, faithful husband and 9 small children. I vividly remember hearing of her passing and making the drive on icy roads to her funeral. It was my first experience with death that I can remember and, although I was young, I still remember having questions about why a loving God would take such a wonderful woman from her family and I'm sure I even had some doubts on whether or not we would all see her again. I contemplated all of these things in silence during that 5 hour car ride. 

My next memory of that weekend comes from sitting in the chapel at her funeral service...laughing. I think my Uncle Kelly had cracked a small joke and everyone chuckled. I remember being shocked that despite all that had happened, people could actually take a moment and laugh a little. It was then that I had the distinct prompting that my Aunt Lana was there, finally eased of all of her pain, aware of all that was happening, and happy to see her family and friends smiling. I have never questioned for a second after that whether or not there is life after death of the ability to see our loved ones again. Her family shares that same knowledge which I know has been instrumental in helping them make it through such a hard time. They have been an incredible example to me as they have taken this trial and grown closer to each other and to the Savior through the process. 

This same knowledge helped my family pull through once again when I lost three of my cousins in a tragic car accident a few years after Aunt Lana's passing. And it was a great blessing to me when my dear Grandma Ray passed away a few months after I started my mission. Both times brought inevitable heart ache, but that heart ache was replaced with a great sense of peace in knowing that because of the Savior, His sacrifice, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I will get to be reunited with those that I love someday. 

On mormon.org I found a great description about Heavenly Father's plan for us and how death plays a role in that plan. 

"Our physical death isn’t the end, but rather is a step forward in Heavenly Father’s plan and a time of indescribable joy for the person making the transition.

When you’re the one left behind—the one losing a friend or loved one—the pain of that loss is very real. But there’s a lot of comfort in knowing you’ll see him or her again. And because of Christ’s death, at some point our spirit and body will be reunited (resurrected) and made perfect never to be separated again. "

The scriptures teach us that because of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, we don't have to worry about death being the end- but rather we can look at it as being the beginning of the rest of eternity. 

I love how Alma puts it:

 "And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." (Alma 7:12)

What wonderful knowledge, peace, and comfort this Gospel brings. 

Because He died- All shall live again!

I know that this is true. I'm so grateful I will get to see my Aunt Lana, my dear cousins, and my wonderful Grandma again someday. If you have questions or concerns about this, please feel free to message me or meet with local missionaries. We are here to teach and share this message with you! It will change your life and help you to feel this same peace and comfort that I and my family continue to feel 10 years later...

A Christmas Miracle.... in November

Ether 12:12: “For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith.” 

Today's blog post is about the miracle that happened in our area last month. One of those kinds of experiences where you can look back on it and KNOW (not just think but know) that Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers.

It all kind of started at the beginning of this transfer when Sister Mayfield and I decided to set a goal for a "White Christmas". On a mission, a White Christmas is one where you have a baptism around Christmas time. I remember hearing about my older brothers setting goals to have a White Christmas on their mission and I always thought it was the neatest thing. So, seeing that I only have one Christmas as a missionary, I knew just what I wanted to do. Together Sister Mayfield and I decided to work extra hard, be extra obedient, and muster every bit of faith that we could manage in order to see a baptism in our area within the transfer.

The 1st week of the transfer we got out of an appointment and saw that we had a missed call and a voicemail from Keenan. Instantly we knew this was special because, let's be honest, lots of people say they will call us but I've never seen it actually happen. We called him back and set up an appointment for that week! Our first lesson with him (in Quiznos no less) was such a great experience. Sister Mayfield and I were so impressed with Keenan's willing heart and faith even though we were teaching things that were very foreign to him. He kind of gave us blank stares when we talked with him about Joseph Smith's first vision and the Book of Mormon but he saw that we believed it and was willing to accept our testimony as it was and agreed to meet again. And as an extra demonstration of his great faith, he asked to come to church before we even could! From that point on, miracle after miracle just started happening. He came to church, hit it off with a few medical students in our ward and their families, and continued to learn and progress. His faith and willingness to embrace the gospel, helped ME to develop greater faith. I felt a little chastised at times for times in life and on my mission that I have lacked such faith. Helping Keenan progress towards baptism was probably the great thing I've ever gotten to do. Actually, Sister Mayfield and I didn't feel like we did much at all! It was clear that every step of the way, Heavenly Father was helping us and helping Keenan. When we met with him and asked him when he would like to be baptized, we were thrilled at his decision to move forward with complete faith and trust in the Lord and be baptized on November 30th.

But that's not the end of the story...

The day after we set Keenan's baptismal date, we got a call from one of his dear friends that introduced him to the gospel and the missionary (planting the seed) way back in 2009. She lives in another ward in our mission and she had an incredible story of her own. Apparently, when the Elders in her ward went over for dinner during the beginning of the month, they asked her family what they wanted to do as a family to "hasten the work". They decided to fast every Sunday that month and pray earnestly so that "someone they love" could be baptized by the end of the month! She said that the first email she got from Keenan telling her he was meeting with missionaries came the week after their first fast. Next Sunday, they fast again.... and they get another email from Keenan telling them that he is still continuing to meet with us and enjoying all that he is learning which put them all in shock and helped them to see that a miracle truly is happening. Third Sunday, they get another letter from Keenan- this time, it is him announcing that he will be baptized on November 30th... the LAST day of the month.

As Sister Mayfield and I sat and listened to Jazzy's incredible story, we both felt such an overwhelming sense of God's love for His children and His desire to answer prayers and perform miracles according to their faith. It was an answer to prayers for all of us. Sister Mayfield and I with our desire to bring someone to Christ this Christmas season, the Reece family and their desire to help hasten the work and bring the Gospel to those they love, and Keenan's desire to find guidance and happiness in his life.

 It was such a blessing to be apart of this Christmas Miracle :)