"We look for Christ's scars because they are evidence of what he did for us. They'll be the first things he shows us when we see Him again. Your scars tell a story , too. Although they may not make you feel attractive, they are a witness of a miracle. That God blessed you to live, and that you have accomplished very difficult things."--Jeffery R. Holland
Tonight I just completed reading the book ...
Tonight I just completed reading the book ...
"Heaven is Here" by Stephanie Nielson. This book tugged at my heart strings and maybe it is because of my personal trial with my brain bleed. Stephanie was a young mother who was in a plane crash that burned over 80% of her body. Her recovery was long but she faced her adversity with courage, hope, and faith.
While I read the book, there were parts that I could strongly relate too. For example, I could really relate to the guilt she felt as a mother. Like Stephanie, I also feared what would happen to my children and how are they going to respond to all of this? The unknown was scary and truthfully I had never been more scared in my life. However, as time went on blessings came to our family and the brain bleed did change our lives, but never in my life did I ever feel so close to my Father in Heaven. I was truly carried!
In this book, I was also touched by Elder Holland's quotes. One of the quote's that caught my attention was the one about scars. I thought about how Stephanie had to endure very visible physical scars while I endured internal scars that were not apparent to the outside world, but apparent to me and my close loved ones. I also thought how in life we all have different types of wounds and scars that we carry with us, but how often do we think of our scars as a miracle and a symbol that we have accomplished difficult things? This was a very profound concept to me.
Similar to Stephanie, we were also blessed with great support. Even though some days I felt lonely and depressed I would think of the many people who were willing to serve our family and I'm sure that it was not always easy and it was a sacrifice but truly I felt loved and supported they were my earthly angels. Elder Holland also said in the book, "But when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angles are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with-here, now, every day... Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind."
While I read the book, there were parts that I could strongly relate too. For example, I could really relate to the guilt she felt as a mother. Like Stephanie, I also feared what would happen to my children and how are they going to respond to all of this? The unknown was scary and truthfully I had never been more scared in my life. However, as time went on blessings came to our family and the brain bleed did change our lives, but never in my life did I ever feel so close to my Father in Heaven. I was truly carried!
In this book, I was also touched by Elder Holland's quotes. One of the quote's that caught my attention was the one about scars. I thought about how Stephanie had to endure very visible physical scars while I endured internal scars that were not apparent to the outside world, but apparent to me and my close loved ones. I also thought how in life we all have different types of wounds and scars that we carry with us, but how often do we think of our scars as a miracle and a symbol that we have accomplished difficult things? This was a very profound concept to me.
Similar to Stephanie, we were also blessed with great support. Even though some days I felt lonely and depressed I would think of the many people who were willing to serve our family and I'm sure that it was not always easy and it was a sacrifice but truly I felt loved and supported they were my earthly angels. Elder Holland also said in the book, "But when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angles are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with-here, now, every day... Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind."
I really loved this book!!!!!
