It started with a YW activity for Easter called "Resurrection Eggs". It is a simple presentation that had 12 plastic eggs that each had a scripture and something in it to represent the scripture. The last egg is empty to represent the empty tomb and the resurrection of Christ on Easter day. Jena made some as part of the YW activity and was so excited to do them for family night. We were getting together with extended family on Easter so I asked her if she would be willing to do it on Easter evening. She agreed although I was uncertain if she really would when it came to it. She can be shy in big groups. We practiced what she was going to do. As we practiced, I asked her what she wanted to do at the end. She immediately said, "I know Jesus lives. The Atonement is real. The Holy Ghost talks to us. Heavenly Father know every one and loves us." It was the first time that she bore a testimony like that. I wrote it down for her, but I was still unsure how things would go.
Easter night came and we gathered together. At the last second, she got a bit shy and hestitated about passing out the eggs. Her cousin Nikki jumped up and offered to help. From that moment, Jena took charge, directing each person to read their egg in the right order. She then read a quote from Pres. Hinckley and then she read her sweet testimony. It was so sweet and a perfect way to celebrate Easter.
(It is actually because of the reality of Easter that I personally had confidence to even adopt Jena --of course then I didn't know her and how wonderful she is. I just remember thinking during that time that it would be worth whatever struggles came from adopting a child with Down syndrome, because I knew that she would live again and be free from the difficulties of DS and what a blessing that would be for all of us. Now with hindsight and life experience, I know that is true about all of us. We all will be free from the struggles of the mortal world and our mortal bodies--no migraines, Down syndrome, etc. in Heaven.)
Back to the story--because she had bore her testimony on Easter I asked her if she wanted to bear her testimony at Church today. She said yes and we wrote down her basic testimony. She was very nervous but I could tell she was excited too. We waited while other people bore their testimonies and then she turned to me and said that she wanted to bear her testimony and wanted me to come up with her. I stood beside her while she bore her testimony without hestitation and then she sat down. I bore my testimony after her and it was very emotional to look down on our ward members and see the tears in their eyes as they felt her tender spirit. One woman told me later that she will always count it a great blessing that she was here on this day to hear Jena bear her testimony.
Recent picture of Jena--not what she wore today!And that is the rest of the story!!! Have a great week.
1 comment:
What a sweet experience! Made me cry just reading it. What I wouldn't give to experience that with Jeff, but looks like I'll have to wait a while longer. Miss you! Love, Julie
Post a Comment