I was so sad to hear about the passing of President James E. Faust.
He will always have a special place in my heart. Let me share.
I was pregnant with Evan and trying to come to grips with the
challenges he would face in his life. My husband and I went down to
Los Angeles to UCLA medical center to meet with the neurosurgeon who
would be performing surgery. We stayed at the Temple apartments there
and went in to attend a session. The sweet man at the recommend desk
asked if we would mind doing sealings. We were happy just to be in
the Temple so we went up to the sealing rooms. We were put into a room
with a sweet white haired sister and another man. The sealer came in
and asked if anyone had a family member that needed a prayer before we
started the sealing session. We had never had that question asked
before or since then. Glancing at each other, we decided to share
that our little unborn baby would be born with a disabling birth
defect. What a precious moment to hear a loved one's name prayed for
over the pulpit of a Temple!! We continued on with the sealing. On
the way out the room this sweet little Sister Tustin stopped me and
said that just last night she was listening to old conferences talks
and heard a talk for parents with disabilities. She wanted to send me
a copy of the talk. So, I gave her our address. Sure enough, a week
later in the mail I receive a cassette with a talk from President James E. Faust.You can listen or read the talk here.
It's was entitled "The Works of God" from 1984. His talk touched me
to the core and at that moment I knew we would be able to face all of
the challenges ahead.
About two years later President Faust spoke at a Regional Conference
in Santa Barbara. I could barely wait until the conference was over
to go up there to shake his hand and let him know how much his story
touched me. With Evan in arms I went up and did shake his hand and
explain my whole story (everyone else just shook hands and left, I
took a while). He was so sweet and patient and listened to everything
I wanted to say. Then a couple of months later my Bishop came to me
with an envelope and inside was a picture of me shaking President
Faust's hand. I have no idea who took that picture or how they even
knew who I was or how the Bishop got it, but it is definitely a
cherished possession.
I have no doubt that Heavenly Father played a role in all this. I DO
NOT believe it was a coincidence that little Sister Tustin and I made
it to the same temple sealing session and that she had listen to that
talk the night before. Or that the sealer asked if anyone had a family
member who needed prayer.
I'm grateful so many
people listened to the Spirit that day so that I here that inspired talk.
I'm grateful for the words of wisdom from
prophets and apostles to help us in the life.
I share this story with you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
He will always have a special place in my heart. Let me share.
I was pregnant with Evan and trying to come to grips with the
challenges he would face in his life. My husband and I went down to
Los Angeles to UCLA medical center to meet with the neurosurgeon who
would be performing surgery. We stayed at the Temple apartments there
and went in to attend a session. The sweet man at the recommend desk
asked if we would mind doing sealings. We were happy just to be in
the Temple so we went up to the sealing rooms. We were put into a room
with a sweet white haired sister and another man. The sealer came in
and asked if anyone had a family member that needed a prayer before we
started the sealing session. We had never had that question asked
before or since then. Glancing at each other, we decided to share
that our little unborn baby would be born with a disabling birth
defect. What a precious moment to hear a loved one's name prayed for
over the pulpit of a Temple!! We continued on with the sealing. On
the way out the room this sweet little Sister Tustin stopped me and
said that just last night she was listening to old conferences talks
and heard a talk for parents with disabilities. She wanted to send me
a copy of the talk. So, I gave her our address. Sure enough, a week
later in the mail I receive a cassette with a talk from President James E. Faust.You can listen or read the talk here.
It's was entitled "The Works of God" from 1984. His talk touched me
to the core and at that moment I knew we would be able to face all of
the challenges ahead.
About two years later President Faust spoke at a Regional Conference
in Santa Barbara. I could barely wait until the conference was over
to go up there to shake his hand and let him know how much his story
touched me. With Evan in arms I went up and did shake his hand and
explain my whole story (everyone else just shook hands and left, I
took a while). He was so sweet and patient and listened to everything
I wanted to say. Then a couple of months later my Bishop came to me
with an envelope and inside was a picture of me shaking President
Faust's hand. I have no idea who took that picture or how they even
knew who I was or how the Bishop got it, but it is definitely a
cherished possession.
I have no doubt that Heavenly Father played a role in all this. I DO
NOT believe it was a coincidence that little Sister Tustin and I made
it to the same temple sealing session and that she had listen to that
talk the night before. Or that the sealer asked if anyone had a family
member who needed prayer.
I'm grateful so many
people listened to the Spirit that day so that I here that inspired talk.
I'm grateful for the words of wisdom from
prophets and apostles to help us in the life.
I share this story with you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
2 comments:
That is such a sweet story! He really was an amazing man.
Thank you for sharing Cindy. I know that was a very profound moment in the temple and then in conference. It is wonderful to share with each other the good, the bad, the challenges we experience and especially their spiritual impact on our lives.
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