Recognizing Life's Miracles

This time of year brings a lot of talk about miracles. Church talks from the pulpit speak of pioneers of the LDS faithful crossing the plains into the Salt Lake Valley amidst persecution and hardship. No doubt these people had miracles daily. However, I doubt I could be one that could have endured child birth on the trail, frigid cold temperatures, lack of food, and sleep. These topics have given me the need for my own self reflection on the miracles I have witnessed and been a part of in my life.

An Eternal Marriage

I have been blessed with an eternal marriage made possible by binding covenants in a temple of God. This one simple ordinance is a miracle given to me by a loving Heavenly Father. I entered the temple 15 years ago with my best friend. Together we have built a relationship, not without its trials, but with strength and commitment to each other. I thank God for the miracle of my husband.


Blessed in this Union

In the union of my marriage I have been blessed with two beautiful children. They are both miracles.

Ryan
When Ryan was 4 months old, Brett and I both had to give a talk in church on the law of tithing. Since we had been married, we had always paid a 10% tithe. It was never a question. The money is set aside before any other bill is paid. It is still that way today. During that time we were in the midst of having Ryan diagnosed for the first time with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Syndrome, SCID. Neither of us understood what path that diagnosis would take us down. We were young and brand-new parents.

I had been searching for a story that I could tell that would illustrate the blessings, perhaps miracles, that paying tithing would afford one who chose to follow that law. Just before sacrament meeting we were invited into the kitchen of the church building we were attending to have a prayer. During that prayer a most overwhelming feeling came over me. In an instant I knew of a story I could tell that would illustrate my point. As I stood before the congregation to teach about the law of tithing, I told the story of a young 4-month old boy who had just been diagnosed with having no immune system. That little boy was currently at home with his grandparents. His journey was just beginning and because his parents had paid their tithing, they were being blessed with a miracle. Their situation could have been, as the spirit witnessed to me, 'much worse'.

I didn't realize how 'much worse' things could have been with my son until months, perhaps years later.  I have a testimony of the law of the tithe. Because of it, the windows of heaven have been opened to my family and we have the miracle of our son.

Sydney

When Sydney was born, she had a broken mother. Looking back on the early months of her life are very painful for me. I was not the mother she needed. Through counseling and medication, I am now able to be the mother she needs and deserves. It is through miracles that I no longer need medication for which I am truly grateful.

Through the recent events in our lives, Syd and I have been able to discuss the miracles we were granted on her behalf. Two days ago Sydney was walking around with crutches. She loves the dang things and leaves them all over the house. She made the comment that she wished that she just had a broken leg instead of diabetes. I agreed. A broken leg would heal, diabetes does not. There is no cure. As I was apologizing to her for the lot that she has been given she said to me, "At least we found it before I got really sick." That is a miracle. There were 8 other patients on the floor with us at the hospital, all with Type 1 diabetes. We caught Syd's early. She recognizes the hand of God in her life. So while this disease has brought many emotions to all of us over the past three weeks, we have been granted yet more miracles.

Even More

I could likely continue to document many more miracles and make this a 10-page post, I will sum it all up with just one more. Five years ago I got a visit from my sister. I have told this story before, but it is near and dear to my heart. Brett and I had just competed in the Burley Spudman triathlon. We were on our way home when Azure and Brian called to tell us that they were coming to stay with us. When we arrived home they were here and Azure had done all of my laundry. One cannot possibly explain how much that one simple act means to me. I hate laundry. It is my most detested chore, and there she was with all of it done and folded.

Two and a half months later Azure was called home to live with our Heavenly Father. The day of her accident we were all praying for a miracle. Of course the miracle we were praying for was that she would live. We were not granted that particular miracle, but I would like to share some of the miracles we were granted during that time.

Azure's son was in the car with her. When found, the car was on its top and Eric had only received a small scratch. Having him a part of our lives still is a miracle. It is interesting to me that one can be so much like someone whom he is not around to pick up traits from. Eric is a miracle.

The night that we all saw Azure for the first time will never be forgotten. That night I realized that the plan of salvation was a tangible thing, no longer thought of as something that could possibly happen, but that was in fact real. Azure had gone home. Her mission on earth was through, and it was in and through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that we would all see her again one day. That knowledge that is now etched in my soul ad is in fact another miracle.

Miracles came daily in the small town of Heber, AZ. From men cleaning up a yard and filling it with firewood for the winter, to cans of formula being brought for the 5 1/2 month old baby who had just lost his mother, to never-ending meals for anyone and everyone who stopped by. All were miracles for our sweet little family. 

He is mindful

Our Heavenly Father knows us. He is mindful of our every need. He has blessed me throughout my life with miracles. I am grateful for the time I have to reflect on the blessings I receive in the form of everyday miracles.