I can't begin to tell you how many miracles we have seen work in our lives since we made the decision to move here over a year ago. For some reason, we are meant to be here and stay here. As many of you know, we have counted on our savings to keep us going since the beginning of the year, and a couple of months ago... it ran dry. We knew this was coming and that we would have to figure out a way to make up the difference if we were going to stay here. I was trying to get my nursing license and start working, but it took two months longer than I thought it would. Tyler contemplated asking for a raise at his job, but that never felt right to him. We had been praying and praying and fasting and going to the temple for a couple of months to try to get some direction, but nothing was happening. Both of us felt that we needed to stay here, and that every thing would be okay, but we had no idea how. We were growing desperate and very frustrated with ourselves when one day, out of the blue Tyler calls me on his way home from work and said " Something really weird happened at work today." I could not imagine what, and I was hoping it was a good weird. "Annie told us today that she is leaving." This came as a huge surprise. Annie is Tyler's direct supervisor and has been at Fox for about four years. Tyler made the comment that this opened up her position, and he was really the only one in the department who was qualified, and wanted her job. A couple of days later his Department supervisor called him into her office and offered him the position. It comes with a raise! Heavenly Father truly does hear and answer our prayers. He may test our faith greatly before He can bless us with what we need, but he does answer them one way or another.
At one point, we considered (AGAIN) moving back to Utah. It never felt right, but we didn't know if we would have any other option. We worked through dozens of scenarios from moving to another apartment, to Tyler getting a different job, to me working two jobs, Tyler working two jobs, selling our car, but nothing felt right or worked out. Tyler even tried to get his resume updated and ready to send out to other companies, but when he went to find it on the computer, he couldn't. It had disappeared. He knows he saved it because he spent weeks working on it. He could not imagine what had happened and was quite upset that it was gone. Obviously we are meant to stay right where we are and we could not be happier. We still LOVE it here and are excited to keep moving forward.
It has also been a great privledge in our lives to have been able to participate in the Proposition 8 campaign. (check out Protectmarriage.com for info. and the latest news updates). We spent about every Saturday and some Sundays since the end of August making phone calls to voters about prop 8. We got many who responded positively, but many more who gave us an earful and called us all sorts of colorful names. It is an extremely sensitive subject, especially now, but has been since the campaign started. Tyler learned really early on NOT to discuss it at work. I am so proud of the Church however for all of their efforts to preserve the family and protect our rights to worship how we chose. If Prop 8 had passed, churches and other organizations would be forced to allow homosexual marriages, adoptions and other practices to take place on their properties, or face legal action. I find it an honor to be singled out and persecuted for standing up and fighting for what we know is right and most important and precious to our Heavenly Father- the family.
I find comfort in knowing that the apostles and prophets have seen these days and have given us guidance. Elder Neal A. Maxwell gave a talk at BYU in the 1970's that speaks of these conditions as if he was here in person today. Of course, we know that he passed away nearly four years ago. A family member sent it to me, and just this last Sunday at Stake Conference, our Stake President quoted it in reference to the protesting of prop 8. It in part reads:
"Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters, in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not he will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions. President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had 'never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life. This is hard doctrine, but it is particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ. . . . Your discipleship may see the time when such religious convictions are discounted. . . . This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions.
Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive.. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened....Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even in these, however, let us leave a record so that the choices are clear, letting others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel. There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, but others will step forward, having been rallied to rightness by what we do. We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds which was, till then, unconscious of itself. Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves, 'summer is nigh.' Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat.'
--- Elder Neal A. Maxwell
In the wake of all that was happening the week following the election I have to admit that my heart was filled with a little bit of anger towards all those who were unfairly singling out the Church. Protesters stormed the temple grounds and made a mockery of all we hold dear and sacred. Signs and graffiti littered the temple gates and sidewalks. Some of those who contributed financially to prop 8, or displayed signs in their yards or on their cars were victims of harassment, vandalism and even assault. I was a little bit angry and needed to put things into perspective. I had received this month's Ensign- the conference issue and the first talk that caught my eye was by Elder Robert D. Hales entitled: Christian Courage: The Price of Discipleship. The talk in its entirety is truly inspired and fits exactly the situation that is happening. It is so amazing! I recommend reading and rereading it. Our Stake President also quoted heavily from this address. Some of my favorite parts are:
...one of mortality’s great tests comes when our beliefs are questioned or criticized. In such moments, we may want to respond aggressively—to “put up our dukes.” But these are important opportunities to step back, pray, and follow the Savior’s example. Remember that Jesus Himself was despised and rejected by the world. And in Lehi’s dream, those coming to the Savior also endured “mocking and pointing . . . fingers” (1 Nephi 8:27). “The world hath hated [my disciples],” Jesus said, “because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:14). But when we respond to our accusers as the Savior did, we not only become more Christlike, we invite others to feel His love and follow Him as well.
When we do not retaliate—when we turn the other cheek and resist feelings of anger—we too stand with the Savior. We show forth His love, which is the only power that can subdue the adversary and answer our accusers without accusing them in return. That is not weakness. That is Christian courage.
Experience shows that seasons of negative publicity about the Church can help accomplish the Lord’s purposes. In 1983, the First Presidency wrote to Church leaders, “Opposition may be in itself an opportunity. Among the continuing challenges faced by our missionaries is a lack of interest in religious matters and in our message. These criticisms create . . . interest in the Church. . . . This provides an opportunity [for members] to present the truth to those whose attention is thus directed toward us.
We can take advantage of such opportunities in many ways: a kind letter to the editor, a conversation with a friend, a comment on a blog, or a reassuring word to one who has made a disparaging comment. We can answer with love those who have been influenced by misinformation and prejudice—who are “kept from the truth because they know not where to find it” (D&C 123:12). I assure you that to answer our accusers in this way is never weakness. It is Christian courage in action.
I know that we have true disciple's of Christ on the earth today and a true and living prophet, President Thomas S. Monson.
I have to remember that God is in charge and whatever happens is necessary for His plan to come to pass.
The true gospel of Jesus Christ is truly my most prized possession and I am proud to stand up and defend it.
I am so grateful for all Heavenly Father has done for us. I do not know why He has decided to bless us so much, but I am so grateful for all we have and I hope that I can prove to Him by the way I live my life and try my best to follow Him that I am grateful for all He does for me.
