Quest for an Eternal Family Someday

Tonight I read a talk entitled,  Mountains to Climb, from April 2012, General Conference. It was such a good reminder to me to remember that if we have faith in Jesus Christ the hardest as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing.

As I read this talk, I was reminded about a very special prayer that I had in the spring of 2012. I was in school full time and my hubby was working swing shift full time. Our two teens, ages 14 and 16 at the time were struggling. I remember pleading with the Lord one night to help us with our teens during these crucial teenage years. I remember in that prayer promising that I would do whatever it would take to help them get through their difficult teenage years. I felt such an overwhelming peace during this prayer and knew somehow they would be answered.

Life went on and in the fall of 2012, I started my student teaching. By November the pain from this disease started. Each month I continued to get worse until finally I was diagnosed in March of 2013 with Sarcoidosis.

In the fall of 2013 I was reminded of that prayer that happened over a year and a half ago.  I was saying my prayers one night. I remember asking the Lord why I had to endure this disease and asking what I needed to learn or gain from this trial. After my prayer, the answer to my question came so vividly to my mind.  My prayer from a over a year ago entered my mind. I knew then that this trial was not just for me but for my teens as well. This trial would not only challenge me but also humble, teach, and testify to my children as they endure this challenge with me. I was so overcome and so grateful that the Lord has heard and answered my prayer. This experience gave me the courage I needed to conquer this obstacle and go forward with faith in order to help strengthen myself and also my children.

As the months have continued to go by and I have watched this challenge become a family obstacle, it has been apparent just how much this illness has effected all of us, especially my teens. It is definitely a work in progress as they have had to pray, fast, serve, and be patient with this process. We have had many ups and downs but when you look at the big picture over the past few months, I am seeing growth. It might be slow and steady, but nevertheless it is growth in the right direction.

I never would have imagined that having this illness would be for both my good as well as for the good of my family. I meant what I prayed for many months ago and will continue to go through whatever it takes in order to help my teens endure these difficult years. I know days are difficult but I know that the Lord will never give me or my family more than we can handle. I know we are all preparing to become an eternal family some day. I know as we work together to get through this trial we will become stronger both spiritually and physically. This challenge is just another mountain to climb on our quest to becoming an Eternal Family someday.