Examples Talk:
Joe and I met at
I was asked to speak on examples today, examples in my life and how I have been an example in others. I tell you one thing I am very nervous. This is my first real time speaking in church since my baptism. I am a convert to the church and was baptized when I was 17 years old. So when bishop brk asked us to speak in church today I almost ran for the door. Needless to say, here I am, so bare with me.
Before writing a talk about examples I first needed to find my own definition of what an example meant to me. After a week of soul searching here’s what I came up with. I believe an example is a person who does something small or something extraordinary that influences the course of another individual’s life forever. I have had many influential examples to help mold and shape the person I am today.
Through the course of my life I have found an examples of family, prayer, pioneering, acceptance, patience, friendship and happiness.
I found the example of family in the Ferrins. A family who watched me during the days while my mom worked. From 6 weeks old to 8 years old the Ferrin family watched me each day and showed me what a family looked like with the gospel within its walls. As we knelt for morning prayers, sat together for evening scriptures or sang hymns in the car I knew even at my young age that this is what I wanted for my future family.
I found the example of prayer in my conversion. After struggling through high school like a lot of teenagers do, I finally decided it was time for a change. I was tired of the unhappiness my poor choices caused. So after many tears and heartache I finally fell to my knees and prayed, my first prayer in many years. I prayed for help, I prayed for answers but most importantly I prayed for guidance. I knew Rick Castillo as a neighbor of mine for many years and he had just been made Bishop. So my prayer ended with the plea to find some courage to ask the Bishop for help. Although I was not a member nor was my family members of the church I knew I needed to speak with the bishop. After this prayer I laid in bed each night trying to figure out the best way to get a hold of Bishop Castillo. Little did I know that Bishops have a secretary to take the calls and make all the appointments. Two weeks after my first real prayer I woke up one Sunday morning to see my whole family dressed for church. I couldn’t believe my eyes, seeing my family dressed for church was one of the best sights I have ever seen and a prayer that had been answered. Going to church was the moment of truth, this was my opportunity to speak with Bishop, so after debating all through sacrament meeting how to talk to Bishop Castillo the final prayer ended and my family was hurrying to the doors. This is when I saw Bishop Castillo walk down from the podium past all the crowds of people waiting to speak with him, past the pews in the chapel and straight to me standing in the overflow. He looked right at me and asked if I had anything I would like to talk to him about. What an awesome experience to know in that moment that God had been listening and Rick Castillo had been praying and following the promptings of the spirit.
I found the example of pioneering in one of my weekly missionary meetings with Bishop Castillo. Although I knew the truth in my heart I was still struggling making the decision to go against my family and join the church. This is the story that changed my outlook forever. Bishop Castillo told me the story of his great grandmother: a strong, single mother trying to raise 7 young boys on her own. After suffering through many years of heartache and trials the missionaries knocked on Bishop Castillo’s great grandmother’s door. Her decision to get baptized was based on her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She knew if she was the one to pave the way and make the tough decision to be baptized her children and their children would not have to face the trials she had faced without the gospel to guide her. Bishop Castillo then went to the chalk board and drew a picture for me: one line, then seven lines underneath, 25 lines underneath them and finally 50 lines underneath the 25. I saw a pyramid on the board. As he finished he pointed to the top line and said this line represents my great grandmother, these 7 lines represent her 7 sons, Bishop Castillo then pointed to the row of 25 lines and said these lines represent her 25 grandchildren and these 50 lines represent her great grandchildren all born under the covenant and blessed with the gospel all because my great grandmother made the decision to join the church. As I stared at the ticks on the board I saw my future husband with his hands on my babies head and dressed in all white baptizing each of our children. I saw my daughter kneeling at the alter across from her husband being sealed for time and all eternity and I knew then that it was up to me to pave the for my own family and generations to come. I would someday be the great grandmother responsible for a whole family blessed with the gospel.
Throughout my life I have found the example of acceptance through my parents. Making the decision to be baptized was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make. My parents and I knew that with my baptism would come a laundry list of important events my parents would not be able to be a part of. One of the most important was the day Joe and I were married. We all knew the day would come when I would leave my parents in the waiting room as I was sealed to Joe, however when the day arrived I knew it was much easier for me to do it alone then it was for my parents to not be apart of the most important covenant I would ever make. My parents have accepted my crazy personality and embraced my quirks and flaws, they have accepted each choice and decision I have made and have had full confidence in me that I was making the best decisions for my life. My parents have accepted that they would not be able to share fully in my baptism. My mom accepted that she would not be there to fluff my hair or button my wedding dress. My parents accepted they would not be there to watch Joe and I kneel and be sealed for time and all eternity. My parents have known these things and have experienced being on the outside and yet they still accept and support me with all their hearts. They are my fan club cheering me on in the game of life.
I found the example of patience through my husband Joe. Just to be married to me takes a lot of patience but Joe has gone above and beyond. Joe is 6 years older than and I am and has had 6 more years of experiences. When he asked me to marry him I was only 19 years old. So you can imagine my parents and my concern. I was concerned about growing up to fast and missing out on being a kid. When Joe asked my dad for my hand in marriage he promised to help support me as I grew up. I am happy to say he has fully lived up to his promise. Joe has been patient with me through my need to always run back to my mom, play a little too hard, sing a little too loud and spend a little too much. Although he has graduated he still helps me with homework, sits with me at the library and helps me pull all nighters. Joe is patient through my temper tantrums, selfishness, long trips to
I have the found the example of friendship in my brothers. I am the oldest of three and 5 years older than my oldest brother. My two brothers J.C. and Austin have shown me what true friendship is. Through being a bully sister to making each of them sleep at the foot of my bed when I was scared my brothers have never faltered. They give me strength, courage and comfort. You wouldn’t believe this but my 17 year old and 18 year old brothers still kiss and hug me in public. Their love reminds me of 1 Corinthians chapter 13. love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. J.C. and
From these amazing examples in my life I strive each day to take away something I have learned from them. These influential people have changed the course of my life each for the better and each in their own unique way. I would not be a better person without them. I am so grateful I now have the scriptures, prayer and the priesthood within my own family and look forward to raising my children with family prayers, Sunday morning church and father’s blessings. I am so grateful this gospel, the blessings God has given me and say these things humbly in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
15 comments:
I read your talk start to finish. I loved it. Yes, I cried. Thank you so much for sharing your conversion story. I wish I could have heard it, but reading it was great.
wow. That is so special. thanks for sharing.
hey kenz,
i just read this and it was really beautiful. to be honest, i don't know what you went through when you converted but i can relate to your struggle a little. tell your family i said hey... i miss all of you guys and i'm SO happy that you're happy.
Good job, Kenze! I loved your talk and yes, it was fantastic. Thanks for such an uplifting read!
Lindsey who? I know lots of Lindseys.... last names are helpful if I can't look at your blog! But thanks so much!
Lindsey Paluso
i don't have a "blogger" so it made me sign in with my gmail account.
Hey kenzie,
Your talk was beautiful! I enjoyed reading it! Thanks for posting.
I have a question and was hoping you could help me out. We are looking into taking a trip to South Africa and I was wondering, when your family went did you guys do one of those package tours? or did you do it on your own? If you did a package tour would you mind sharing who it was that you went with?
Thanks for the help!
That really is an amazing story, it brought me to tears! Thanks so much for posting it :)
Seriously...wow...I don't even know what to say. You're truly amazing. That talk was awesome! (are you for hire next time I have to speak?!?) It really brought tears to my eyes. I got goosebumps and everything!! I am so honored to have gotten to get to know you better. I'm bummed we didn't develop this frienship earlier (like those crazy high school days when you were too cool for me) but I'm glad you have you and Joe as friends and really look up to you both! (and NOT because you're both taller than me!!) Love you guys!! Plans for this weekend??
My bad...I meant I'm glad WE have you and Joe as friends. I just was too emotional and my vision was blurred from tears that I just couldn't type correctly! See what you make me do!
That was an awesome talke I know I would have been balling like a baby if I was there! You are too cute and I miss you. I remember your baptism, that was such a great day for you and I'm glad I was able to spend it with you. I'm also so proud of how much you've grown since high school.
There is tears in my eyes right now! Good job on your talk. Love you!
I finally found time to sit down and read your talk. Thank you for sharing your conversion story. You are a strong woman!
It was awesome.
Dear Kenz,
My family was very happy when you said that we were an example in your life. Thank you so so much. :)
The Ferrin Family
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