How Rachel Knows

I was thirteen year old when the Nauvoo, Illinois temple was being rededicated. As a young child, my parents took us to the grounds where it had once stood before it was burned down. I remember walking the grounds in reverence. For some reason, my family felt a certain closeness to that particular temple so once it had started to be rebuilt, we made plans to drive out there again to see the glorious replica.

On our drive to Nauvoo, we stopped at many different church and historical sites. It was Saturday June 1, 2002 and we stopped at a little camp ground in Keokuk, Iowa to prepare for fast Sunday the following day. My family set up the camper trailer and I set up my little tent that I enjoyed sleeping in alone.

On June 2, I wrote in my journal:

“We went to a little branch in Keokuk. We were so lucky to be there on fast Sunday. Every one’s testimonies were so strong. Everyone was so excited for a temple to be a couple minutes away rather than a couple hours away. In Utah, there are temples everywhere. I take it for granted. I never realized what it would be like with only a couple people in the whole school are LDS or having a temple far away from you.

“My family is picking on me. I’m the only one that gets in trouble. This trip sucks because: my mom left her purse 2 ½ hours (one way) away, we got a flat tire, I’m being picked on, every one’s mean and we forgot a lot of important stuff. See what I mean.”

I don’t remember why I was upset, I just remember being extremely upset and I chose to leave my family in the camper and confine myself in my own little tent. I remember deciding to read my scriptures, even though I was angry and upset. I continued:

“I have just studied a scripture. It is Moroni 10:3-4 [which says “Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts. And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.”] After reading it over and praying about it I can now say it’s all true. Jesus Christ is the true God. He will manifest this unto you if you go before Him with a humble heart and faith. He has done it unto me and I know he can do it unto you. I know this is the true church. I know the scriptures are true. I know this gospel is true.

“The spirit is very strong with me right now. I feel much joy from the testimony I have just gained. I know it is all true and what joy that brings to me. It’s kind of funny it all happened in a little tent in Keokuk at a hard time in life with my family. But I know it’s true!”

This was the pivotal experience in my life. Before this, I had believed the things that I was taught, but after this experience, I knew that it was true. Sitting in that little tent, weeping with joy, feeling my Savior’s love and a burning in my heart as I prayed to know that the scriptures were true, is an experience that I have carried with me my whole life. In times of darkness, I sit back and remember what I felt that day and what I learned that day and I still retain my testimony and can testify that God hears you and He hears me. He loves us with a greater love than we can imagine. He reaches for us with His arms wide open, inviting us to come to Him and to come home.

How Lynette Knows

I could basically write my life’s story in answer to the question of “How do you know God lives?”

But, I’ll spare you and start with this experience. ;)

I love the imagery Glenn used about God being like Oz behind a curtain, and revealing Himself in

Glenn’s life.  I love it because I know it’s true that God is near all that seek Him. The universe is very largebut God is near. When we have a prayer in our heart and do His will in our lives we feel Him at home, at work, on a walk, at the store, or whenever our greatest need is. When I pray and put myself at God’s feet the Holy Ghost wraps me with His love, I know that God is near, that He listens, and then He speaks answers to my heart.

Stephan and I have struggled to start our family. About a year ago my heart and mind

were obsessed by the grief this caused me. This obsession caused me to focus on what was lacking in my

life.  Stephan was in the Air Force ROTC, training to become an officer after graduation from college. He

submitted paperwork for a 2012 graduation and commissioning in the Air Force. We didn’t know it but

the paperwork never got submitted. He was in the books as graduating in 2011. No one noticed it until

after the cadets for year 2011 had made bids for their careers. His commander told him there was

nothing he could do. He either needed to separate from the Air Force or finish his degree in 2011. Aside

from that, there was no time to finish the coursework for the major and minor Stephan had chosen AND

finish by 2011. I was very upset by this. Because of my lack of perspective at the time I blamed others for

the situation and tried to figure out how we could get the approval we needed to finish in 2012.

Meanwhile, Stephan sat down and figured out that if he took a full semester load straight through Fall,

Winter, Spring, and Summer terms he could finish his degree without his minor in August 2011. So

that’s what he did. We decided to stay in the Air Force so Stephan went to work! It was hard on him but

he is very organized, so it worked out. I still had a bad attitude about this until we reached our first Air

Force Base. We went from scraping through college together to having all of our needs and more, this

was such a relief. Additionally, I had nearly “everything is covered” health insurance! This meant that I

could vigorously pursue our fertility situation. The graduation date fiasco was actually an answer to my

prayers; an answer to the numerous prayers that came from the deepest desire of my heart. I was too

negative to realize all of the implications for good an earlier start in Stephan’s career would have on us.

One day I just sat after a prayer and a multitude of my blessings from the previous year poured into my

mind. I felt so humbled that Heavenly Father in his mercy still saw fit to bless me despite my lack of

gratitude. Heavenly Father is a loving and merciful God. I know He lives! I know these blessings in my life

and more are possible through Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice. Regardless of what my life may

lack, there is nothing more beautiful than knowledge that the Savior lives, that my soul can be restored

from sin, and that I can live again with God and my family because of the atonement. There is nothing

more beautiful for all of humankind than this truth.

How Ryan Knows

As a prelude to this post, I (Ali) just wanted to add some information that may help those unfamiliar with the Mormon faith understand better Ryan's words.  We believe the gift of God to bless (blessings for the sick and afflicted) and perform ordinances (baptism, gift of the Holy Ghost, and more) has been passed down through the prophets from Christ when He was on the earth and is available to worthy males today.  As Moses laid his hands upon Joshua and gave a charge, so we use the laying on of hands for these things today.  (See Numbers 27:18-23 and Hebrews 5:10) End prelude.

 

As I sat and thought about a specific story that helped me know the truth, many different stories came to mind. Many of them are small examples and some of them are major things that have happened in my life. 

 

Even as a kid I remember feeling good when I was learning about Heavenly Father and Jesus. I enjoyed going to church groing up. There have been many instances in my life when the Holy Ghost has prompted me to do something and I have done it and seen a benefit from doing it. I could probably write many different stories and go on forever about how I know. I won't do that, but here is a small sample of my life experiences and how I know.

 

Being a worthy holder of the Melchezidek Priesthood I have had the opportunity to give many blessings to people that have asked for my help. I remember one time I was participating in a blessing that Benji and I were giving to another family member. Benji and I have given many blessings together over the years, but this one was particularly special. As Benji was acting as the voice of the blessing I was standing with him with my hands on the head of the person whom was receiving the blessing. I was being given the words to the blessing in my mind and seconds later Benji said the exact words that were coming to my mind. I could feel the spirit was with us and I knew that those words were coming from our Heavenly Father. I also caught glimpses in my mind's eye of Heavenly Father standing where Benji was and Jesus Christ standing where I was. I am not saying that we are taking their place or that we are more holy than anybody else. I am just giving an example of a special experience that confirmed my knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

Many many other things have happened in my life to help me learn the truth. I think this is due, in part, to the fact that I do not deny the inspirations that come to me from the Holy Ghost. I embrace those special feelings and keep myself open to the fact that I can be a tool in Heavenly Father's plan and help him in any way I can. I am willing to share any other experiences that may help any of you who read this. If you are struggling, pray for help. If you are like me and trying to grow stronger everyday, stay on the path and be strong.

 

How Glenn Knows

Song to go with my testimony: DEAREST CHILDREN

I have always loved children. Maybe it has something to do with growing up as #2 of 9 siblings. Their bright faces make me smile, and their innocence and pure countenances shine with a bright light. It is hard for me to see them in pain or suffering. The clear, sonorous giggle of a youngster makes me smile inside, as I remember the pure joy associated with the unobstructed happiness of childhood.

As I grew into adulthood, I had many questions about God. I had no doubt that a great Creator established the universe, for I knew it was too complicated, too beautiful, too perfect, for it to have happened by chance. I read the scriptures, and found many references to His existence that made perfect sense. But my concept of Him was as of something untouchable – the Great Oz of literature, who stood behind a giant curtain of mystery, unwilling to be found out because His power and dominion were too grand for humans to comprehend.

I saw two Godly characteristics in the Holy Bible that seemed contradictory: in the Old Testament was a vengeful God, who wrought havoc and destruction on those who would not obey Him. I read of great floods, mighty tempests, destructive earthquakes and fires. I was terrified of that God, and my obedience to His laws was out of fear – I didn’t want to upset Him. Yet, in the New Testament, I saw a wholly different God, one who taught of peace, compassion and pure love. He went around healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the blind to see and the lame to walk. I liked this God, and even felt of His love on occasion. But I wondered: what happened to Him between the Old and New Testaments to change His character, and turn Him from a merciless God to such a loving One? Which was His true and more accurate nature, and why did He express Himself in such different ways at different times?

One day, I found out. I got to peek behind the curtain of Oz, and meet the living, breathing Man behind the mask. It was on a beautiful Fall day in 1974. I had been in the Language Training Mission (LTM), forerunner to the Missionary Training Center (MTC), for a few weeks. I was engaged in an intensive learning environment in preparation to go out to the world to teach the restored truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I was convinced that this Jesus Christ whom I was to represent was the God of both the Old and New Testaments, and my obedience to Him had matured away from a motive of fear, to that of faith – knowing that He gave no commandment that was not for our own good. But I had a greater lesson to learn that day. I was to take another grand step forward in my understanding of Who He was and is. And He used my love of children to mold me that day.

As I stood in the lunch line, I read in scripture about a very personal visit this Great God made to Ancient America after His resurrection. I was in awe as I imagined being there and watching these marvelous events unfold. As He descended from heaven to make Himself known to these ancient people, He was, indeed, that Great Oz of my earlier comprehension – His voice penetrating every soul, though it was not a loud voice. His brilliance cut through the recent unfathomable darkness they had experienced.  Destruction was all around these people, because His Old Testament powers had just been unleashed on their neighbors who would not accept the love He was now to offer. (I later learned that the destruction itself was out of love, but that’s another story!)

Then, as I read, the Great Oz came out from behind His mask, and I knew Him, because, in this small way, He was like me, and I like Him. For He took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them. And when He had done this, He wept…And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones. And as they looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and encircled those little ones about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them.

I read that no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men  conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard Him pray for us unto the Father.

Tears flowed uncontrollably as I tried to stem them, as I was in a public place and did not want to appear
unmanly. But the Spirit was unrestrained, and in that moment, I was transformed from a believing follower of Christ out of awe, to a knowing disciple of Him whose love is boundless. I felt, I saw, I understood the true nature of this God whom I had long sought. He was approachable, for He knew how to weep, and He loved these same children to whom I had always felt such an affinity. It was at that moment that I KNEW! And that loving God of both Old, New and Restored Testaments, was there to advocate for ME, a child lowly in spiritual maturity, with wounds, faults and impurities which I needed His healing hand to affect.

Since then, I have always known that Jesus is the Christ, the Great Jehovah, the Eternal Healer. That fact will one day be made clear to all mankind, and every childish knee will bow in recognition of His Great and Eternal Sacrifice that saves all His children. May we do all in our power until that great day to extend His very real love to everyone around us, that we may minister in love as does He, our Great Exemplar.

Glenn R. Whicker, 11 November 2012

How Cami Knows

As I have pondered over the last several weeks the almost overwhelming question of “why I believe”, I have retouched many, many experiences of my life of thirty-two years. At first, due to my physical fatigue and daunting everyday (and night) tasks, I literally drew a blank. Immediately, I felt my heart race as I worried, there must be SOMETHING! Within that split-second moment I prayed to remember, and within that same split-second memories began to overflow my meager mind. That tiny moment instantly taught me, it is easy to forget. It is vitally important that we document our experiences for that very reason.

Many pieces make up the foundation of my testimony of God’s existence and His love. Little things, from the small, tiny promptings of the Holy Ghost entering my mind, to a remarkable experience as an eight year old little girl, build the foundation of my testimony. I do not share these things to boast but with do so with sincere humility. And I do so with a little hesitancy because of the sacredness some of these experiences have to me.

One of those small and simple promptings happened last year. I went to visit a lady in our small congregation that had not attended church in years. We talked, we shared, we read scriptures, and we prayed. It was a very nice visit. I went home. The visit did not seem remarkable. Later, many months later, she said that she had been contemplating suicide that very day. She said that the small visit interceded her thoughts and changed her desires. This lady realized her value as a daughter of God. That change in someone’s life is hard to claim as a chance encounter. A seemingly miniscule thought may only seem miniscule to our finite minds.

Another time, many years earlier I am in the sacred place of an LDS temple. As a sixteen year old, I did not realize the vastness of this beautiful place. My youngest sister, Katie was to be sealed to our family for time and eternity, a covenant to bind our family together even after death. As my sisters and I waited in the waiting area of the temple, my parents were preparing for the ceremony upstairs. Soon, it was time to join our parents upstairs. I don’t recall if it was before or after the ceremony, but as we were walking the hallowed halls, Katie, as a 12 month old little baby, began to use sign language (as she did not speak, or make many noises at all at that time)…her tiny hands signed the symbol for Jesus Christ as if she was trying to tell us something. He is real. He lives.

Lastly, I have mulled over sharing this experience so publicly because it is so special to me. As an eight year old girl, soon to be baptized, my father gave a family night challenge- to ask our Heavenly Father if the scriptures were His word. I’m sure I was challenged before to do that very thing, but this time I took it to heart. I recall after going to bed, I decided to kneel in prayer. I knelt next to my trundle bed, amidst the duck wall paper surrounding my small bedroom in our British home. There was a helium balloon tied to my open bedroom door. I prayed. I don’t remember my exact words, but I do remember asking if the scriptures were true. I laid in my bed.

Then I noticed something very unique. I saw in front of me, next to my brown metal wardrobe, a silhouette. It was a silhouette of a person with light behind him, an eclipse-like silhouette. I couldn’t see any features, just a shadow-figure surrounded by light. The figure was nodding his head. He was answering my question.

This is the experience I have and will remember all my life. This was my first experience receiving an answer from God.  It was powerful. It was real. God IS real. He loves us.

How Sarah Knows

I have been trying to think of one specific moment when the spirit has touched my heart deeply, and one came to mind immediately and every time after when I have thought about it. When I was 20 years old, I was a little lost in life. I didn't have a great job, no school, no friends near by, nothing. I hadn't really thought about it much, just did my day to day things and that was fine. Well, one Sunday, in our Relief Society meeting, a sister announced that her son lived in Boston, MA and owned a company with a lady who was not LDS, but was seeking to find an honest, nice, loving person to be her nanny and care for their soon to be first child. As she announced that, I had an overwhelming feeling of warmth surround me as the thought came to my mind, "That is you!" I looked at my Mom, who was sitting next to me, and she looked at me at the same time, both with tears forming in our eyes. We both had felt that spirit guiding me to look more into this opportunity.

After church, I approached this sister and talked more with her about the details of this job. She let me know what I would be doing, the type of family I would be living with, where they were located in MA, etc. I told her that I might be interested but I needed to think about it and I would get back to her. That same Sunday, I volunteered to help with the Sacrament meeting for the Apple Tree Assisted Living (an old folks home) later that afternoon. While there, we sang the hymn I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go. Once again, I was overwhelmed by the spirit when I sang the words to that song because I knew that this opportunity to move to Boston and be a nanny was created just for ME. This sister announced it for ME and I needed to listen and GO where the Lord needed me to be at that time in my life! After prayer and talking with my parents, I made the decision, and left a few months later. I loved the family, the job, and the area I lived in. I met lots of new friends there and was very happy with the choices I made to listen to and follow the spirit that I felt so strongly. I KNOW I have a Father in Heaven who loves me and knows the paths I should be taking. I know I can ask Him for guidence whenever I need it and He will help me and love me no matter what! I am so grateful for that knowledge and guidence in my life.

How Shane Knows

It is the small and simple things that make such a difference and bring much joy in this life. I recount a simple experience at the age of 11 or 12 years of age. I was sitting on the cold floor of our garage working diligently on my first real job as a young man, newspapers, when an important thought of an assignment that I had yet to complete, came to mind. At that same moment my mother popped out the door and quickly asked me a question. In that fleeting moment, my thoughts were quickly scattered, and I forgot entirely the previous task for which I was pondering upon. Such a frustrating moment. Nevertheless, I returned to my task of folding newspapers. In my moments of frustration and discouragement, I had a thought to attempt to recall the assignment by saying a little prayer. I did so. Just at the conclusion of my prayer, my mother again popped open the door and asked if I needed money or paperwork for school photos the following day. This was the exact task that needed to be accomplished that had burdened my mind. Such a simple thing of no great importance, but it weighed heavy on my mind that I had forgotten the responsibility.

God absolutely cares for his children. This experience was of no coincidence.  Something that I have learned of the relationship between God and his children, us, is that there is little in the way of difference between that relationship and that of our own relationships between father and son or grandchild and grandfather.

How Kaylee Knows

 

I know I have recently written, but a few weeks ago we had an experience that everyone suggested I should share.   

I bought this picture two years ago when we moved into our home with the intent of putting it up in our living room, but it didn't fit the niche, so it ended up in the game room.  It is a rather large picture and the only one in the entire room.  It has a scripture on the wall right next to it that reads, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:21.  Upon placing the picture there I felt there was great purpose in its placement as I knew this would be the place of playing with toys, watching TV, and ultimately where family time would take place.

This afternoon I walked into the game room and upon entering I found my daughter Kaylee, who is 5 years old, staring at this picture on our wall.  She was gazing so deeply she didn't move when I first sat by her.  I interrupted her gaze by gently asking, "Kaylee, what are you doing?" She responded quietly, without breaking her intent thinking and said, "Mom. I miss him."  Quite taken back I said, "You mean you remember Him?"  She said, "Yes, he looks just like that."  Trying not to disturb her thoughts I sat back and watched her look, stare and long for him.  She then said, "I love him and I want him to come back."

It is moments like these that I can only wonder, Why? How? can one not believe.  Children are such a integral part of this amazing plan.  They teach and they KNOW. They know because they REMEMBER.  I don't think the knowledge of the spirit world is taken from them in one moment at birth, but gradually, and every once in a while we get to have these beautiful moments of their remembrance.  Not only to remind them, but to remind US.  He is real.  He is there and He WILL COME.


Kaylee Hart 5 years old

How Buddy Knows

John 7:17 says, "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself."

To me, this is the foundation of deep, real knowledge. I don't know what Jesus really said that day, but I have felt to infer that a knowledge of God can be gained only through a completely sincere effort at doing his will.

His will is that I love him. That's all. Just love him.

Because of my weakness and fallen nature, I need it broken down a bit more. God has obliged.

I love God when I follow his guidelines exactly. I love him when I love others. I love him when I serve others. I love him when I demonstrate dedication, integrity, and optimism. I love him when I give him credit and when I am humble.

As a direct result of my sincere efforts in doing the above (at some times much better than other times), I have confirmed personally that the blessings promised in the scriptures are real. I have had moments of pure knowledge whose transcendent power and reality I can never forget or deny. God has lighted my soul with a sure witness greater than all else: He lives. He knows and loves me such that he sent his Son to suffer all for me, that I might live, know, and love.

I have proven his will. I know that the doctrine embodied in the life of an otherwise undistinguished Galilean mortal many hundreds of years ago came from the most supreme of beings--the real, Eternal Father of my spirit.

How Ali Knows

I loved living in Alabama.  Although we lived there only 11 months, what happened there changed all of us forever.   I remember sitting in the family room with everyone.  I remember Mom and Dad telling us they felt there was someone else in our family waiting to come, so we were going to pursue adoption since Mom couldn’t have any more children herself.  I was 9, turning 10 and this was SO COOL.  It was exciting!  We couldn’t wait to see who would come to join the family.  I remember a couple of times coming together again as a family and talking about options the social services offered us in different children.  Did we feel like we could all come together to do what we could to bring another into our family?

Then we moved back to Virginia.  After school one day, the phone rang.  We were always racing each other to the phone, and I won that time, although I don’t remember if anyone else was home.  The lady on the phone explained she was from LDS family services and asked for Mom or Dad.  “They’re not home,” I said.  Here is the interesting part that I only now realize is so interesting—she proceeded anyway to tell me, a girl of 11 years old, the most important information.  She didn’t just say “Please have your Mother call me back as soon as she can.  It is important!”  Could she sense this was most precious, exciting information that would change not only our family, but ME, forever??

          She continued, “Well, we think we have found the little girl for your family!”  She was born yesterday…  A little girl with no ears…  “Can you tell your Mother or Father to call me back when they can?”

I said “sure!” and hung up the phone, excited as could be.  I think the curiosity flashed through my mind for a brief second when she said the baby had no ears, but I hardly cared to think about that more.  For ringing through my mind was the thought, “A NEW LITTLE BABY SISTER!”  

          Hearing the car pull up in the driveway, I ran to the front door and onto the porch and YELLED to Mom, “Mom, the lady called and they have a little girl for us!”  I didn’t wait for her reaction, I ran back inside.

          The rest is a blur.  I know Dad got word while at work, and we all felt it: We had found her.

          While Mom and Dad traveled to Georgia to pick up our new bundle, we all stayed at friends’ houses.  I was at the Call’s.  We didn’t know exactly when baby Katie, Mom, and Dad would be back.  I remember driving home from school after Sister Call picked me and Caitlin up and asking to pass our house to see if the Buick was in the driveway.  I was disappointed when it was not.  But then, probably later that day, we got a call.  SHE WAS HOME!  I was instantly so nervous.  I got shaky and couldn’t wait to meet her.  The Calls took me home, and I RAN inside.  I was confused, because the Buick wasn’t in the driveway again.  I passed other sisters on the way and after inquiring, found out that Dad had gone to fill the car with gas.  I turned the corner from the front hall and passed the kitchen.  Then, I look to my left to the family room and there it was, the baby carrier with a blanket over the top, covering the sleeping baby inside.  It’s like slow motion in my mind…walking towards the carrier, heart beating so loudly, about to meet my littlest sister.  I slowly took off the blanket to reveal tiny Katilyn.  As soon as my eyes met her tiny face, I immediately loved her.  Not one second of hesitation.  The Lord poured a bucket of love over my head and I felt tears coming to my eyes.  She was perfect!  I wish I could express that pure love and strong Spirit in words, but it was real.  As I write this it comes back into my heart, and the tears of truth spring back to my eyes.  It is a moment I have never forgotten, for then I felt so close to heaven that I knew it was real.  I knew God was aware of me, the 11 year old on a suburban Virginia street, and was teaching me of where love comes from; from Him.  This experience has become a foundation on which I have built my faith and love of our Heavenly Father who loves us and knows us personally.

 Me & Kate, 1999

How Pam Knows

The Answer

I was alone.  Usually Tamra and I both walked to church together, but not this morning.  We were always together, but I guess Tamra must have been sick.  I walked past Longhurst’s home.  It used to be a basement home, but they had added the top part.  Then there was the scary old lady’s house.  It was half a house, a basement house with black tar paper for a roof on it. It was a house not grown-up yet, just a bit of it above the ground, with stairs down to the front door.  That house was waiting for the upstairs to be built.  The lady that lived in that house was OLD, and the only time I saw her was on Halloween when we trick or treated.  She seemed really grumpy, but she gave out delicious homemade cookies and apples.  So, even though she was grouchy and a little frightening to me, we trick or treated there anyway.  You see, we were only allowed to trick or treat to people we knew, only along our side of the block. 

It must have been summer, I wasn’t very old, but I can’t say exactly how old I was, maybe eight years old, possibly, 1959-ish.  Terry, my little brother, was still too young to walk with us to church.  In those days Mother sent us to Sunday School in the morning to walk the three blocks to the seventeenth ward building by ourselves.  She stayed home to make dinner.  Sunday Dinner was our best meal of the week.  Mother often cooked a roast, I didn’t like meat very much, but, it was still a special meal.  I liked the care Mom put into it.  She was great! 

But today, I was walking by myself.  I was a deep thinker, even though I was young.  It was Mother I was thinking about.  How could she know He was there?  That morning I heard her talking to someone.  I wondered who could be in her bedroom?  Dad was already gone to work, who was she talking to?  I paused in the doorway, Oh, what a feeling, thick and sweet and sacred, coming out of Mom’s room.  There, I saw Mother on her knees, she was praying, but her praying wasn’t like mine.  She prayed out loud.  I couldn’t do that, my thoughts were so private, I could not speak them, only, think-pray.  I marveled that she could speak her thoughts vocally, wish I could do that.  And most amazing of all, she spoke like He was right there.  Just, how did she know that?  How did she know that He could hear her? 

I stopped walking and hung on the silver bar-barrier-guard that lined the side walk over the canal that flowed swiftly beneath me.  The water was rippling, dancing, moving so fast.  It looked clear, but brown, that was because the bottom had brown weeds and mud. 

My thoughts flitted back to this morning, to the feeling, to the picture in my mind of Mum kneeling, praying.  How can He know how to answer prayers?  How can he understand Me?  He lived so long ago, it’s not like today.  It’s so different now, we have cars, and black and white TV’s, and toasters, and lots of electrical stuff.  And for Pete’s sake, I’m a girl.  I was very aware, even at that young age, of the difference between boys and girls.  Boys certainly didn’t think the same as I did, that alone made me wonder how He could actually understand how I felt.  How could He know exactly what my life was like? 

….It came as a complete thought, a paragraph answer, a surprising bolt of knowledge, complete and tidy, shot from heaven right into my mind, while I stood on the sidewalk bridge, looking down at the brown water rushing away.  There were No words, just a pure ray of warm, peaceful knowledge.  I knew immediately that somehow, even though we lived ages, even eons apart, that He experienced generically, things I had experienced.  Wow! He knew how I felt!,… that was incredible!  My heart-whispered, think-prayers were heard and understood after all.  Maybe someday,……. I could learn to trust Him and pray like my Mum did. 

This answer was foundational, much like the basement house, waiting for the upper level to be built.  This bit of knowledge given to a young girl thinking and walking to church would be the beginning, the foundation, of a deep faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  A faith that would take her through trials and pain, yet she would know that HE IS THERE, waiting to help, waiting for her to come to Him and ask for guidance and strength to travel through whatever circumstance she faced.