As we’ve confronted retirement and what that can appear to be, it has been a time of actually in search of to know what God needs us to do subsequent.
You could keep in mind my phrase final yr was SEEK. I spent 2023 in search of after issues that introduced me nearer to my Savior. I discovered lots about being nonetheless and listening to His will.
Years in the past, my husband and I set a aim to serve a mission for our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When {couples} serve these missions later in life they’re known as senior missionaries they usually have all kinds of how they will present help and humanitarian service all through the world.
Searching for Path
For a number of causes, we’ve felt like we have been in a little bit of a holding sample for the final couple of years. One of many largest was our concern about being away whereas our youngsters welcomed new additions to their households. We postponed and waited whereas two of our daughters struggled to get pregnant and have infants. Ready appeared to make us really feel caught between two totally different phases in life, and will have been what prompted final yr’s phrase alternative — SEEK.
I started the yr in search of and a number of other months in; we obtained the excellent news that one in all our daughters was anticipating. Our anticipation shortly pale when she miscarried a number of months later. Unable to be there together with her, my coronary heart was breaking for her and her loss.
However the Lord taught me a precious lesson throughout that making an attempt time. Whereas I couldn’t be there to maintain my daughter, she had family and friends throughout who gathered her shut and took care of what I couldn’t do.
Searching for Miracles
Amid this making an attempt time, we have been speaking to her on the telephone when she shared one stunning story after one other of somebody lifting and serving to her, the spirit informed me clearly: “See, I can maintain her simply in addition to you’d. You’ll be able to belief me to maintain watch whilst you go and serve.”
Shortly after this highly effective prompting by the spirit, we discovered some necessary info that set the ball rolling as we started engaged on our mission utility. By mid-September, after finishing all of the physician appointments, private historical past, and interviews, we hit the submit button. Six weeks later we obtained our name to serve within the Dominican Republic starting on July 8.
The miraculous a part of this complete story is what occurred throughout these six weeks. The week we submitted our papers, we came upon one daughter was pregnant and due in Could. We felt so blessed! Then, only a few weeks later, we came upon that our daughter who had miscarried was pregnant once more and due in June. It was a strong lesson educating me in regards to the easy miracles ready for us as search to pay attention and act upon what he guides us to do.
I really like what Jeffrey R. Holland taught about miracles:
It’s the plain and really sobering fact that earlier than nice moments, actually earlier than nice religious moments, there can come adversity, opposition, and darkness. Life has a few of these moments for us, and sometimes they arrive simply as we’re approaching an necessary resolution or a major step in our life.
“Forged Not Away Due to this fact Your Confidence,” Ensign, Mar. 2000, 7
I’m so thrilled to be serving the folks within the Dominican Republic with my husband and much more grateful to go away all of you within the very succesful palms of Heather and Sharee — and now Kristen —with the great prospects of a rising crew whereas I’m gone.
Thanks to your help and encouragement over time! My coronary heart is full!
