Baby Steps

No, I'm not referring to "Baby Steps," from the movie "What About Bob?". I'm referring to the baby steps the Lord seems to make me take. He leads me by the hand and shows me one little baby step in front of me and asks me to exercise a particle of faith and take that small step, even though I don't know where it will lead.

Dave and I had the strong impression to put our house up for sale. This did NOT make sense because the value of our house, though it is still much higher than what we bought it for, has fallen dramatically in the past year.
Not only that, but we LOVE our home. It has views, a master suite to die for, plenty of room for when the kids come over for a visit, a great neighborhood, close to the mountains, central to utah kids with their kidlets, and. . . we just LOVE it!

Notwithstanding all of that, we chose to obey. We still haven't sold our home, so obviously the Lor'd timetable is different than mine!

Then, there is David's health. Last week, and again yesterday, David suffered mild strokes. They call them TIAs. These are when the clot flushes or moves out of the way on it's own. These are often precursors to a major stroke, so everyone is concerned and we are on guard.

It was Saturday, the night we usually would be serving in the Temple as Ordinance Workers. We were on our way to our daughter Becca's endowment, preparatory to her sealing on Tuesday. David was feeling like something wasn't quite right.

He had trouble balancing as he was walking, ringing in the ears, nausea, a tight feeling in his jaws and a weird taste in his mouth.

We turned around to have him rest, but I felt like I needed to take him to the emergency room. He gently insisted that he just wanted to rest.

Then I checked his other symptoms: slurred speech, cloudy mind, and then the most dramatic sagging of his left side of his face.
I checked his pupils, and they were dilated and not responding to light in the same way.

I forced him to go to the emergency room. There is one 5 miles from our house. I drove him there and when we walked in, there was no reception area because they were re-modelling. I asked aloud, "This is ridiculous. I think my husband is having a stroke, is there anyone here who can help us?"

Suddenly there were people wearing scrubs who came from around the corner, did a quick triage and took him immediately to an examining room.

6 hours later we were returning home with few answers and certainly more questions.
What they think happened is that something was blocking the blood flow to part of David's brain, but then it eventually dislodged itself and was no longer causing the problem. It wasn't there long enough to cause any permanent damage.

There are a few different theories about this, so we will be taking more tests.

Baby steps.

Then wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles, Dave was able to play the organ for Sacrament meeting, as well as a musical number with Kristina on the cello. It was lovely, and I cried.

Baby steps.

We are taking them every day.

May your "Baby Steps" be led by the light and love of the Lord. He is there for us. I believe He will be there for you too.

(Just for fun, visit my blog entry for "Keyboard Magic" in December of 2008. It is part of David's Boogie Woogie Chop Sticks. I will be having him record all of his favorites while he can.)

Out of Africa. . .

Want to hear an inspirational story? It's not just a story, it's truly amazing.


The Almarados came to America to be sealed in the Salt Lake Temple and to be there for the sealing of their daughter as well.


They didn't have enough money, and they didn't know how they would be able to come; but with prayers, fasting, children's fundraisers, and the generosity of people in our ward, money was raised so they could come. They did have to take out a loan for $4,000, though. His monthly income as a mechanic in Mauritius, a little island between Madagascar and South Africa, is $300; to give you some perspective.


Then, there was the VISA officer.
Amazingly,the mother (who does not speak English) was not asked any direct questions. Not speaking English would have been an immediate disapproval, and the family in front of them had just been rejected. They left crying.
Then, the officer found out that they were members of the Church, and why they were coming, and they were immediately accepted.
This was only one of many miracles.

Then, there was the visit to the hospital.
the father began suffering from a bleeding ulcer. He lost 5 pints of blood before he fainted. After an emergency surgery, he spent 3 days in the hospital. Of course, he had no insurance.
After explaining their situation, the hospital forgave the ENTIRE bill. Not only that, but the doctors did too!
Another miracle.


We have enjoyed the short time we have had with this blessed family. Their humble spirits make them immediately easy to love. Their simple testimonies born in church, in person, and by the way they live their lives, are inspirational to say the least.

Someday we hope to see them again. Our hearts go with them as they return to a little island off the coast of Madagascar. A little piece of heaven.