A Change of Heart
| Contributed by: AG- 1999 A few months ago I shared with this list an experience I had in the temple re: my l8, soon to be 19 year old son. I can't remember if I've shared with you what has taken place recently.....so I will. My son is a great kid...but for the last several years he has been "wandering in the wilderness". Not doing anything really wrong, just not active in the church. He called me Easter Sunday and asked me if I would bear my testimony to him. I was shocked and said, "you mean over the phone?" He was very quiet and said, "I need to hear it". So I did. He was very tearful and told me he didn't think he had a testimony, that he had only gone to church because we made him when he was younger and expressed some other concerns. We had a nice visit....the nicest we'd had in many many months. My prayers began in earnest for this son of mine! When I went to the temple in April I had a wonderful experience concerning him. I felt such comfort and I knew I didn't need to worry as long as I did my part. I basically prepared myself for the fact that he wouldn't go on a mission when he turned l9 but that would be okay.....I needed to be humble and accept the will of the Lord and the desires of my son at this time in his life. A 'change of heart" on my part! Approximately one month ago my son called and asked if he could come home. He said he wanted to make an appointment with the Bishop to get his mission papers ready! You could have knocked me over! He is home now....we still have some work to do but he has seen the bishop, he's been going to church with us every Sunday, and last night I helped him fill out his mission papers. I have to be honest in that I have my doubts that he is ready, but it is not my decision. I'm trying my hardest to be a good example, to help him prepare and I'm so grateful for this "change of heart"! As he prepares himself, I realize I must prepare myself also - to be the mother of a missionary. I find myself trying not to get too excited but I just can't help it. I still feel the adversary pulling on him, but we are here and we are pulling back! The gospel is so wonderful and can make such a difference in the lives of Heavenly Fathers children!
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