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I've Moved

After being here in my own little garden for the past several years, I have decided that it is time to move on and record my life from here on out. My new blog is called "Everything After" and can be found at maren-everafter.blogspot.com. I hope to see you all there!

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My Testimony

This past weekend we had the pleasure of watching the semi-annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It was a very edifying experience. Answers we were seeking were found, the spirit was felt and our testimony was increased.

I am inspired by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s talk and Cjanes blog post to write about my own testimony.

First I want to share a bit of Elder Holland’s testimony. Here is a you tube video I found of part of his talk.



It doesn’t have the part that moved me the most however. I looked for the text to share that here, but the text is not available yet (I think it will be on Thursday). So, instead I am going to paraphrase. Elder Holland spoke with such power as an Apostle of Christ that I was moved to tears. I felt the spirit so strongly, probably more than at any other time in my life. He talked about Joseph and Hyrum Smith’s martyrdom. He talked about how just hours before they were killed, Joseph Smith bore a powerful testimony of the Book of Mormon to the guards in the prison. Joseph, at this point, knew his life was almost over. President Holland testified that, knowing what was coming, Joseph Smith WOULD NOT have continued to testify of the Book of Mormon if it was something he had made up. The truth is that the events leading to its translation happened just as Joseph said they did. If anyone doubts, we have sure proof in the Book of Mormon. It is impossible to read this book with an open heart without being moved by it.

For the scientific among us; my father was involved in a statistically study of wordprints of the Book of Mormon. He was able to conclusively prove that the Book of Mormon was not written by one man and that no part of it was written by Joseph Smith. There are many more such evidences today.



On a more personal note, I want to talk about my own testimony. I grew up in the church. I never went through a major doubting phase, but I still had to find out for myself if what I had been taught my whole life was true. I had read the Book of Mormon, I went to church weekly and to the Temple. I prayed often. I believed.

All of that was put to the test when I physically collapsed in November 2004. Faith became my only lifeline and I had to find out whether it was a weak string or a strong rope to hold me up. Whenever I was physically able, I dived into an in depth study of the Book of Mormon. I listened to past Conference talks and read the Church’s magazine--the Ensign. I read the Book of Mormon daily and was able to participate when President Hinckley challenged the whole Church to read it by the end of that year. After President Hinckley died, Jeff and I took part of the Book of Mormon Challenge to read the Book in 97 days or something like that.

Here is a picture of me at my brother's wedding reception. I was unable to even sit up for pictures. The fact that I was there at all was a miracle.



I knew the Lord could heal me, but would he? I had some amazing Priesthood blessings that promised healing would come, in time. I knew it was just a matter of waiting upon the Lord and his timetable.

My testimony of prayer increased dramatically during this time. I came to rely on prayer as if my very life depended upon it (which it often felt like it did). Since the first year I was down, I prayed about doctors and hospitals, and the like. The answer was constantly the same reassurance that now was not the time to pursue those avenues. I would be healed, but “not now”.

The Book of Mormon became a very important constant in my life. I did my best at living the teachings of Christ through it’s pages. I did my best to teach Reilly the lessons that I was learning. I taught him about faith and how it is belief in things not yet seen. I told him that, when the time was right, the Lord would heal me. Reilly also prayed for me in faith. He fully expected his prayers to be answered.

I have read the Book of Mormon many times over the last 5 years, as well as the Bible, The Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. Each time I am touched by a story or a passage in the Book of Mormon, I have no doubt that it is scripture just as surely as the Bible is scripture. It testifies of Jesus Christ from page one through to the end. I know that it’s origins were divine. There is no other explanation. If the Book of Mormon is true, then surely Joseph Smith was who He said He was and the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in these latter-days happened just as He said they did.

The Gospel has brought more joy and hope to my life than anything else. It helped me when I was so sick and unable to be there for my family. I found comfort, hope and peace. I realized that I was happier then than I had ever been, even before I collapsed. I always believed that I would someday walk again, but if that was not the Lord’s will for me, I was fine with that too. I prayed to know His will and when it was time, doors began to open and miraculous things began to happen (that’s a whole other post in itself). In short, after 4 long years, I recovered my health and am doing better now than I have in over 25 years.

I credit the Book of Mormon with helping me through those difficult years. I love the Book of Mormon and want to share it with the world. I want everyone to know the peace that I know and feel. I testify that Jesus Christ lives. He knows me by name. He knows my struggles and pain. He listens and hears every prayer I offer with a sincere heart. He answers those prayers in His way and His timing is perfect. I love the Lord

At the end of the Book of Mormon, it’s last great Prophet, Moroni, offers a challenge to every one who reads it’s pages. He promises that if they will read with real intent and pray to know for themselves if it is true, the Holy Spirit will testify of it’s truthfulness. I challenge anyone who has not done that to pick up the Book and read it. For more information go to mormon.org.

Loves to you!

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Ballerina Session Pictures

She couldn't be any cuter. It was a fun session in a fun setting.

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Pictures

These were taken two Sunday's ago. Reilly is drinking his prescription formula for older kids with massive allergies. It has literally been a lifesaver.



















Let's see....since I last blogged.....we had a fun outdoor photo shoot with a darling ballerina (I'll share some of those once I get them processed). I had a birthday. I am now 35, which I find it hard to believe. It honestly feels like my life is just getting off the ground (haha........literally). Reilly is doing very well in school. Homework is no longer a battlefield (he does it *on his own* as soon as he gets home so he can play with friends). His ability to focus has greatly increased. Life continues to be good and getting better by the day.

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New Baby Photo Session

This darling boy was just 8 days old. He was SO alert. We tried our best to get him to sleep so we could get some sleeping newborn posed shots. He wouldn't cooperate with that. We put him on his tummy and he was already trying to crawl. At just 8 days! He is sure beautiful and was a pleasure to photograph.

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Pictures from the Star Trek Exhibit

Last week we went to the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia to see the Star Trek Exhibit. Here are some photos.

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