Amidst the immense blessings our family has received lately (pregnancy, callings, a new job, etc.), the Lord has not forgotten to further our education of life through experience.
Usually Conference weekend is a time of reflection, instruction, inspiration, meditation, and even a bit of relaxation. There have been past Conferences when I have come away a new person, resolved to live life more purposefully. This last Conference weekend, however, was unusual and unorthodox for our little family. The result has eventually been the same--I have come away a different and even better person, but the instruction came in a very different form. Instead of soaking in the wisdom of our prophets from the comfort of a couch, my instruction came through a real "hands-on" experience--an opportunity to learn amidst trial.
As you all know, early Sunday morning I got a text from Willie saying he was in the ER. Expecting the worst, I called him and he said he had been up all night with intense abdominal pain, and finally, after trying everything possible, he knelt and prayed asking for help. He got the immediate impression that he should go to the hospital. So even though he was doubled over in pain, he drove himself to the ER. They ran a few tests and determined that he was having appendicitis and would need immediate surgery to remove his appendix. And of course I am not there! I got off the phone with him and you all started to help us pack up our car and leave immediately for Wyoming. Within a half-hour we were on the road back home. Now that was an interesting drive. I had recently heard of several incidents where a young husband and father had passed away leaving his family, and I couldn’t help but think about what it would be like to lose Will. Amidst the turmoil and a few tears that this thought brought, an overwhelming sense of peace came to me. I came to know that even if I were called to go through such an intense and unfathomable trial, nothing really would change for me. I would not believe any less in Heavenly Father’s plan for me – in fact I would rely upon it even more. It would not change what I had learned as a missionary, it would not change what I know about the power of the Atonement, although there is no doubt that I would have much more reason to draw upon that power. Basically, what I realized is that in any trial we ultimately have two choices – Do I draw closer to Christ or turn my back on Him? There is no middle ground. And if I make it a habit to always turn to Him in the small challenges, then I can be assured that I will do the same when the earth-shattering trials come along. Before this incident, I don’t know if I would have been able to answer those questions about myself. But on that drive home, the Lord taught me a thing or two about who I am, and about His plan for me.
So while I did not get the chance to learn from the Lord via his prophets that Conference Sunday, he still made sure I received the instruction and comfort I needed, and it came straight from Him.
