Hello Kanesville, my name is Debbie L, and I live in the Fair Grove Ward. Patti W asked me to share a conversation I had with her but it has taken a few months since I have been so sick recently. Over the last ten years or so my health has been in a steady decline. I spend most of my time in bed. I have multiple auto-immune diseases, which started with a diagnosis of MS.
This isn't where I
thought I would be at this stage of my life, but I want to tell you some
of the things that my
Heavenly Father has done for me. When I was first diagnosed with MS, I asked
for a priesthood blessing. As I listened to the words of that blessing, I was overwhelmed
with the feeling that this was part of Heavenly Fathers plan for me. I came to
understand that my illness would in some way be a blessing from my heavenly Father.
I don't fully understand all of the ways that this would be accomplished, but I
feel strongly that this is for my benefit as well as my family.
As I have become
weaker and unable to leave my bed most days, I have felt of Heavenly Fathers
love and the power of the Atonement. I know the Savior suffered for my sins and
also took upon Himself my grief's, sorrows, and weaknesses. I know that with
his stripes we are healed, as was prophesied by Isaiah.
I have been blessed
these past years in ways great and small. To enjoy the company of my children
and grandchildren who are so beautiful to me. Recently during boisterous game
of tag with my grandchildren , one of them tagged me It. before I could even
think about moving, another ran to me and held out his hand to let me tag him.
We had such fun playing together. On a bad day, all I have to do is visualize
their beautiful faces and I am comforted.
When I got to the
point where getting up for more than a few minutes became difficult, Heavenly
Father sent a pair of birds to nest outside my bedroom window. They have nested
in a very difficult place, and every spring I am graced with enjoying their
nesting, hatching, and fledging of the chicks. It is a constant source of
joy.
I now have
unlimited hours to work on my family history and ready names for temple ordinances.
The Family Search indexing program is another great gift to me. This is just
one example of how with Heavenly Fathers help we can turn weakness into
strength. Even as limited as my
circumstances allow, I am still blessed with the ability to serve.
I know that in
different ways, life is difficult at times for all of us. I am convinced that even
in the darkest times, blessings come to buoy us up if we look for them.
I am truly blessed to
have the Gospel in my life. It teaches us how to live, and reminds us that
Heavenly Father wants us to be joyful.
It has been difficult
to write this because I believe most people have learned this lesson far
earlier than I have. We are all on the same journey with trials and
tribulations all around us. When we look for them our Fathers tender mercies
are all around us.
This is a wonderful
community and many of you have helped me in some way. I thank you all for
that.
These are sacred
experiences to me, and I leave you with them in the name of Jesus Christ our
blessed Savior.
