Sweet Assurance
Piecing a Miracle Together...
This morning, in Sacrament Meeting, experiences of the past two weeks came full circle.
Two weeks ago at a Relief Society Enrichment Meeting, a delightful new sister stood up to share her feelings regarding the 28 Days Closer To Christ program we had been working on together as a Relief Society. She and her family had recently returned from living in Costa Rica for a year and I was moved as she shared the experience of being called to teach the Young Women in her Ward in Costa Rica. Even though she did not speak Spanish, she worked all week, preparing he lessons and presenting them in Spanish. As she spoke, I had a VERY strong prompting to tell her about Time Out For Women and invite her to attend.
I would like to say that I followed the prompting and sought her out, however, I argued with my thoughts. The event was ten days away and I felt like asking her "at the last minute" was not considerate, especially since I could not invite her to ride with me or stay with me in my already full hotel room.
Skipping around in this story...
A few days prior to this prompting, I received an e-mail from the Director of Time Out For Women, Laurel Christensen. She asked me to find a few women to write short essays titled "How I Know". These essays were to go along with the TOFW theme of SWEET ASSURANCE. After reviewing the essays, Laurel would choose one that would be read by the author at our Time Out For Women Orlando Event. The other essays would be posted on the Time Out For Women Website.
One person came to mind immediately and I asked her to write an essay, yet needed a few more people. I prayed about this and was at a loss as to who the others should be. The first name had come so clearly, now who else was I supposed to invite to write an essay. In an answer to my prayers, the Spirit told me that when I heard the names of those who should write essays, I would know, without a doubt, who should write the essays and I would not have to look any further. Within 24 hours, this is exactly what happened. Two of my Team Captains gave me suggestions and, upon hearing their names, I knew they were to write essays. I did not know these women, did not know their stories, nothing...I just KNEW they were to write essays.
Another thing I KNEW for sure...before reading the essays...before learning about these women, etc, was WHO would be reading her essay. I told Laurel that I had a strong feeling about one of them, but would not say anymore as I did not want to influence her, etc. As the essays were submitted, ultimately, Laurel chose the one I knew was going to be read.
Now back to the new sister in my ward....
Last Sunday, the prompting returned....go talk to her about Time Out For Women. I just cant... I thought...this week is crazy and she will wonder why I waited so long, especially if she finds out that I am the local person in charge of the event. Oh....and it would help if I had introduced myself a few weeks earlier when she moved in. (Like a usually do whenever I see a new face)
I just felt like my timing was off...Note to self as I am digesting the following lesson this afternoon...MY TIMING does not matter....THE LORD'S TIMING is the only timing I should be concerned with.
Another Note to self....YOU are an instrument in the Lords Hands...LISTEN TO HIM!
I went home last Sunday, once again, arguing with this clear prompting regarding someone I did not even know. Fast forward to Sunday evening....I got THREE separate phone calls from people who wanted me to find some one to use an extra Ticket to Time Out For Women. All three of these women had purchased 5 tickets during the Group Discount Pre-registration time and did not need all 5 tickets they purchased. All Three women did not want money for the tickets, they just wanted someone to have them who would use them.
The following morning, I dragged myself to the gym for a quick workout. I walked in the front door and the first person I saw was a sister from my ward who works as an instructor/trainer at The Gym.. Without hesitating, I told her about the TOFW Tickets and asked if she wanted one or knew of anyone who could use them. YES, she wanted to go and would find people to go with her. I suggested a few names of people she may want to ask...including the sister who had been on my mind. SURE, she said, that NEW SISTER IS MY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR! What....? I had no idea! At that moment, my phone rang, Megan was home from school sick and I had to head home without exercising at the gym. I was at the gym just long enough for my path to cross with the person who could use these tickets and, ultimately, get this new sister to Time out For Women. Interestingly enough, I had NO INTENTION of offering these tickets to anyone as I started off that morning.
By the next day, not only were the 3 tickets spoken for, now 2 others were going, INCLUDING THE NEW SISTER who I knew needed to be invited. She had arranged child care (her husband is working out of town) and everything fell into place for her to be away from her young children to attend Time Out For Women. The Lord did not let up in his efforts to get this new sister to Time Out For Women. It was not until this morning in Sacrament Meeting that I KNEW FOR CERTAIN why....
Fast Forward To The Time Out For Women Event Yesterday....
It was time for the Essay author to read her essay. It was powerful, moving, and heart wrenching as she shared details regarding the drowning accident that took the life of her 23 month old son, Evan, last summer. I prayed for her to have the strength to get through the essay. Her strength, courage, and testimony of Jesus Christ touched every heart in that room
This morning....
The promptings, the essays, the tickets that became available, the timing, the Lord's continual opening doors to get this new sister to Time Out For Women, etc.....all the pieces that needed to come together were in place as I heard this new sister speak in Sacrament Meeting...about the drowning accident that took the life of her toddler son over 10 years ago.....
This new sister and the essay writer/speaker needed to connect yesterday, and they did. They understand each other's pain in a way no one else can unless they have experienced a loss in this manner. The Lord was working on me to make sure this new sister attended Time Out For Women. Even though I did not follow the promptings at first, she continued to be on my mind so that when yet, another opportunity came for her to be invited, I made sure I suggested her name first.
Once again, I am reminded of how involved The Lord is in the details of our lives. Most of the time, we are unaware of how much he is orchestrating for our benefit.
After Sacrament Meeting, I went to this wonderful sister and shared the "big picture" story of how Time Out For Women came to her. I also apologized for not following my initial promptings and for not introducing myself until yesterday at Time Out For Women.
I shared with her how I KNOW that the Lord loves her and is aware of her needs at every turn.
I am reflecting on a period of time in my own life when the Lord was arranging every detail, piece by piece, yet, it was not until later, that I could see His hand in every move. He placed me in the path of exactly who and what I needed to be around at the time I would need them the most. I am sitting here today as the result of The Lord's hand in the details of my life.He used people to touch me in ways that forever changed me. How grateful I am for those who followed promptings on my behalf.
How grateful I am today to have rubbed shoulders with this miracle. I know that the Lord did not give up on using me as his instrument to bring these two sisters together at the exact time and place they needed to meet.
The Sweet Assurance felt as a result of Time Out For Women is deep in my heart! Deep..
3 comments:
Shauna,
Thank you for sharing this miracle. Let me add my own small moment of this experience. I was driving the car home from TOFW with 4 other sisters from the ward including our new sister. As we talked together, the topic of conversation was predictably about our children. We shared times of when our kids have gone "missing" and how scary that is and then the discussion turned to when we have had near drowning experiences with our children. The seed must have been planted by the earlier reference that day. You can imagine the shock I felt when I heard the story of our new sister during Sacrament Meeting today. I waited for the feelings of awkward guilt for the insensitivity of our conversation, however unintentional, to descend. But it never did. I felt sadness and anguish in sympathy for what she had gone through. But not dread for my own part in her having to relive the moment. Her story actually brought me a sense of peace and joy as well as gratitude for the sweet assurances that the Lord had given this sister. After the meeting I went to this sister to attempt an apology, but before I could say anything, she said "Don't say it". She assured me that everything was ok, and I knew my sense of peace was not misplaced. After the block I was speaking with another sister who had traveled with us, and she also expressed the same feelings. That where she knew she should really be feeling awkward, she just didn't. There wasn't room to feel guilt in the face of such a powerful witness of the workings of a loving Heavenly Father.
Thank you so much for writing about this experience. You were my pick me up for the day. I really needed to read this.
I read this post the other night but was too overcome to respond then. In the mothers letter, I couldn't get further than the part about the drowning because I was crying- it really hits home differently when you have your own children (and a little boy who is nearly 2).
What a beautiful story you have shared- your blog is always full of them, thank you Shauna!
Oh, I wanted you to know, this post led me to the other blog and I saw a list on her sidebar of "angel ?" and realized it must be families who lost children. I clicked just one name and it happened to be my distant relative who I have thought about nearly everyday since last year. Their little girl died from choking on an apple. I have been hoping for at least 6 months that I would run across their blog- again, thank you Shauna!
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