Most of those who read here know that our family has two places of residence and we are trying to maintain residence in both of them. I still teach once a month in the ward that I lived in when Kerry and I met so we travel there at least one weekend a month. Actually we are there about 50% of the weekends. This posed a problem for Carmen, our oldest daughter, for a long time. Carmen is very shy and had a very difficult time going to class with people she didn't know. At first she didn't want to go at all, when she finally did go it was so very difficult for her that she couldn't even get anything out of the time spent.
We talked about how difficult it was and she was encouraged to ask the Lord for help with this problem that she faced. Then we talked about faith and how having faith didn't just mean believing that Heavenly Father would take her fear away before she went to class again, but that showing real faith meant believing that you will receive help, believing it enough to do something hard and even scary. So Carmen prayed and went to class and struggled for several weeks - it didn't get much easier for Carmen but she continued to do what she knew was right and knew that she would get the help she was seeking. Well, a few weeks ago Sister Tucker was called to be her new adviser for Young Women. The very first week she was in the class she was inspired to do a spotlight on Carmen so the girls would get an opportunity to see who she was and reach out to her a little bit. She called us up and asked us for some information about Carmen and the next week we were there she told the class all about her. Carmen came out of class that week all smiles and going to class doesn't seem like such a difficult thing anymore.
The most beautiful part to me was that when Carmen was asked to give a short testimony on faith last week, she shared this story with the girls in her other ward. She was able to use her experience to teach others about the "work" portion of faith.
Couldn't we all learn a lesson from Carmen? How often do we pray for help and then sit back and wait. We need to see a clear ending before we are willing to take a step. I want to have faith like Carmen's when the right thing seems impossible I want to be willing to pray for help and then continue doing what's right even if a good ending seems impossible. Carmen, you are an awesome example to me, thank you.
Also, of course, we must thank Sister Tucker for being in tune to the spirit and knowing just what to do to help our daughter.
We are grateful.
4 comments:
So sweet Lisa. Isn't Heavenly Father so wonderful? He really does love his children.
Lisa, I am bawling like a baby. I love Carmen. Even though she is not officially one of my girls (I am over the Laurels) I love her and her sweet spirit. I do have to give credit where credit is due....Sister Carley Heller (the Counselor over the Beehives) was behind the idea for the spotlight and she assigned the amazing Jen Tucker (who we are so lucky to have in young womens) to be in charge of the spotlight. I am so thankful to serve with women who are close to the spirit and are able to help these amazing young women that we serve. thank you for this post.
Go Carmen!
k, lisa...so the "conversation" we had earlier today makes a WHOLE LOT more sense!! you know me...i'm a little slow, and quite challenged in the head(brain), and most certainly have huge mountains to climb spiritually. i can't tell you how many times i have been so completely humbled by the incredible strength of our children(which includes our youth), who are overcoming things in this world that i absolutely believe i would not have had the capacity to overcome. they are such an inspiration to us as parents, not to mention that not one day goes by that one of THEM does not teach ME something important!! this is a fantastic blog! i need to ask for more of the kind of faith that carmen has...and like you said, more importantly...i need to take action.
i'm not gonna lie, i believe i could be considered a "professional" procrastinator... yeah, that's how bad it is!) heehee
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