a mother's faith

Today, I was reminded how grateful I am to be sealed for ETERNITY to my husband, baby, parents & siblings. I learned that a wonderful friend of mine (who I met growing up in TVA), was able to spend only a few hours with her son before he returned back to heaven. I read her blog and cried. Her writing truly reflects her beautiful personality and great faith in the plan of salvation.

She shared the following story:

"More than anything, I am thankful for the knowledge of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ; that families can be together forever through the Plan of Salvation. During this time, I have found peace and solace in an e-mail my dad sent me this morning, reading again a personal experience told by Elder Octaviano Tenorio of the Quorum of the Seventy:"

When my wife and I had only been married a year and a half, she was ready to deliver our first baby. We had decided that she would have the baby in the Chihuahua colonies, where she had been born and where her parents still reside. At that time I was working in Mexico City, and we decided that she would go to be with her parents a month ahead of the delivery date. I was planning to join her later.

The delivery date arrived. I was at work when I received a call from my father-in-law. The news was good: “Octaviano, your wife has given birth, and you now have a beautiful little daughter.” So, in my happiness, I began to announce this to my friends and partners at work, who in turn asked me for chocolates to celebrate the birth of my little one.

The next day I began to give out chocolates throughout the four floors of our office building. When I reached the second floor, I received another call from my father-in-law. This time the news was different: “Octaviano, your wife is fine, but your daughter has passed away. The funeral will be today, and you don’t have time to come. What are you going to do?” I asked to speak with my wife Rosa, and then asked her if she was OK. She replied that she was fine, depending on how I was feeling. Then we talked about the plan of salvation, remembering this scripture:

“And I also beheld that all children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven.”

I asked her, “Do you believe that?” And she said, “Yes, I do.” Then I replied, “We should be happy then. I love you. And if you are OK with that, I’ll take my vacation in two weeks, spend some time with you, and we will return back together to Mexico City.”

We knew that one day we would be reunited with our daughter because we were sealed by the power of the priesthood in the temple. We ended the telephone call, and I resumed giving out the chocolates in my office building. Seeing me do this, one of my co-workers was surprised and asked me how I could do this after such terrible news. I answered, “If you have a couple of hours, I can explain to you why I am not feeling too sad and about my knowledge of what happens after death.” Later that day, we ended up talking for four hours. He accepted the gospel and, together with his mother and brother, was baptized into the Church after receiving the discussions.

 "Of all the kinds and types of trials and hardships we experience in life, we must trust in the Lord when He said, “All these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.” With this eternal perspective, we understand and accept the trials of mortality as necessary for our spiritual growth. I know one day, we will look back at our mortal experiences and be grateful for them because they have helped us reach more of our potential and become more like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are." -Lilika Funaki

As a mother, I am truly touched by her experience and the way she worded it all. That little spirit will always be her baby, and she will always be his Momma.

We love you Funaki 'Ohana.

Yes, we should ALL count our many blessings & see what God hath done. Thank you Lilika.

Sometimes love lasts a moment.

Sometimes love lasts a lifetime.

Sometimes a moment is a lifetime