Full Days, Weeks and Healing

We taught our sixth Career Workshop this past week where we trained the Gibsons, our wonderful new missionary couple at the ERC, and also the Connors who are church service missionaries assigned to the Raleigh, South Carolina ERC. Delightful people....we learned much from them. Several of our past CW clients have found work, so that is very satisfying to see the principles applied and the blessings received. Friday we had an office party for Sister P as it was her birthday. She doesn't like sweets and only wanted a peach, so that is what I sliced on a plate with a dollop of cream and a cherry. The rest of us had ice cream, banana pudding, and black-eyed pea salsa. Now doesn't that sound appetizing! After work we went straight to a co-worker's house to clean as she and her husband have bought their first house and need to get out of their rental. Her husband, Scott, said to us, 'I hope this doesn't offend you, but you are like our mothers!" We felt highly complimented as both of their families are states away! We had an opportunity to be mothers again on Saturday when we attended the sealing ceremony of Vincent and Marilyn. Vincent works next to us in the Bishop's Storehouse in the Warehouse. His mother is inactive and could not be at the temple nor the reception, so once again, we were highly complimented to be "mothers" there for him and his lovely bride, Marilyn. We care a great deal about Vincent so it was wonderful to feel the spirit as the ordinance took place so we could know this was right. This is their second marriage and both have children, so there will be some adjusting. Church was very tender today as C and her son came with us for the first time. C was adopted as an infant and has suffered at the hands of abusers ever since childhood. When she came to the ERC for the first time she mentioned in the course of the registration process that she was visiting churches trying to find the one right for her. I will state the obvious,Heavenly Father is very much with this amazing woman. Her experiences would have turned a normal person bitter and hard, but her heart is very tender and compassionate. From the Opening Hymn in Sacrament Meeting to the closing song in RS and everything in between: Reverence, Love, Personal Revelation, Prophets, The Sabbath, The Sacrament, The Atonement, Pain, Becoming as a Little Child....it all resonated with her; she is feeling love and welcome and truth. We, with C are meeting with the elders Wednesday evening at church. Elder Nelson was hoping Justin would come to Young Men's that evening. I am eager to hear how he felt about his experience today. People may wonder how I can say Heavenly Father is watching over C when He allowed horrible things to happen to her. I am sure I have no glib answer, but I do have my opinion and it is this. Before we came to this earth, we lived in bliss with our Heavenly parents...perfect love, but we were children, not living the kind of life our Heavenly parents live. We were given the opportunity for that kind of exalted life, but it meant leaving an unimaginable place of light and love and in effect, jumping into "darkness"; coming to earth to fulfill that portion of Heavenly Father's Plan of Happiness that requires a body, learning, testing, and acquiring the attributes of Jesus Christ. It is my opinion that in allowing C her agency, Heavenly Father said to her, "this is the plan I have detailed for you; it will involve suffering as others use their agency exactly opposite to my plan of love and kindness. If I always intervene and prevent improper use of agency, prevent suffering, there is no agency. No one can prove themselves or develop through overcoming, because there is nothing to overcome." What would make C choose such a painful plan? It is difficult to imagine what would be worth that kind of suffering only because we cannot remember our pre-mortal life with Heavenly Father. If the veil were lifted and we could glimpse that life, we would make the same choice I believe C made....She would go through anything to have the chance to live together forever exalted in the Celestial Kingdom never to be parted. Anything! If we could see....it would not be a test...faith would not be required as it is now. A loving Heavenly Father has brought C to a place where the gospel can be introduced to her....and it rings true. She is about to be able to choose to be completely and forever healed through our loving Savior and through His Gospel.