WHERE DID I GO?

       For 14 years, my days had been very full of babies, little kids, bigger kids and family.  With the possibility of parole, I mean, blessed time to myself becoming a reality, I unexpectedly became increasingly horrified at the idea.  Somewhere along the way I had lost who I was. 

       I was a barely 22 when I had my first child.  Up until then I was very adventurous!  By night, I danced for hours and by day I was a rock climber, snowboarder, avid pool player, traveler and thrill seeker.  My interests flowed with what ever sport needed the current season.  Nothing could stop me, I was completely invincible. 

       Needless to say, it came to a screeching halt with my first baby.  Everything changed and over the course of the following years I became Holly housewife.  14 years later.... I really had no idea what I genuinely liked anymore.  To my husbands dismay, the thought of scaling or surfing mountains all day sounded a bit borish since life had held so much more meaning.  I couldn't fathom what I was going to do with my days.

       I thought and thought and prayed and even cried.  Who was I?  Where did I go?  What do I do now?  I decided to relax, realizing I had a year or two.  I pondered it still and lost myself again in the duties of life.  When I did think and pray about it, I listed the things I wanted it to involve.  I knew I wanted it to be creative, to bring in some money and be something that I could be passionate about.  Then it happenned.

       When I had at least two minutes of peaceful scripture study, my 4 year old came wailing in my room because he could not find his superman shirt.  There was no holding this kid off when it came to his super heroes.  With a deep sigh, I wished how someone would make a superhero shirt starring real heroes like the men I was reading about in the scriptures.  Then the unmatched enthusiasm of this little 4 year old  would at least go to a good cause!  With that, my Heavenly Father answered my prayers.  It literally felt like a ray of sunshine engulfed me, giving me inspiration.  I'll make them! 

       For the last year, any extra time has gone towards building a little business that may someday change kids paradigm of who their heroes are.  Imagine a whole generation of kids who think of Noah, Esther and the rest when they hear the word superhero.  The energy these kids have for their superheroes could power a small country and it is this country that they will be running in the near future.  Why not harness this power for good!  The culmination of my personal revelation can be found at http://www.scriptureheroes.com/

      

Sweet Baby J

One of my most memorable experiences that helped me feel the reality of God's existence and his awareness of me was about 9 months following the birth of my 2nd child.  The night she was born she near choked to death on her own mucus.  The doctors cleared her throat of what clogged it and all was well.  We spent an extra night in the hospital so that doctors could watch her. 
           Needless to say, I slept very little after that.  Worried that she would have more problems, I slept with her in my arms, sitting up every night, with one ear and one eye open.  Sure enough, she developed acid reflux which caused the milk she drank to bounce in her stomach and come back up.  I did little else, other than nurse and clean up these messes.  Always throwing up her milk meant she was always hungry....and her throat was beginning to burn due to the regular pass of stomach acid through it......you get the picture. 
           I was exhausted and constantly worried that she was suffering.  Months passed this way when I asked my Dad, who had the authority to give her a healing blessing to come.  As he started, she was crying rather loudly as she often did.  His words were sweet and loving but I will never forget his final words, "I say unto you, be healed".  I realize that it does not always work this way and as a result, I lifted my head wondering if that was "legal", so to speak.  However, she instantly quieted, fell asleep and never threw up again.  I had never felt such relief, words can not express it.
          I have always had great faith in God, and I believe it was his will and my faith that made her whole.  Ten years later, and it feels no less real.  The spirit confirms the truth of that experience to me, even now.  I know God loves us and is aware of our trials. He knows I know it and I could never say different.