Seen by Christ: Kathy Vuki

DESCRIBE AN EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU HAVE FELT SEEN BY JESUS CHRIST:

Kathy Vuki, 37th Ward

Hi Sisters,

My name is Kathy Vuki. Our family has lived in the 37th Ward for 19 years. My husband, Mosa, and I have three young adult sons that we love more than life! I currently serve as a teacher in the Relief Society.

I love our women's conference theme and have been asked to share how I feel seen by Christ. To me, to be seen is to be understood and accepted right where I am. I bear witness that I know my Savior sees and understands me every single day, and I often feel affirmations of his unconditional love for me, even when my meager efforts to draw closer to him fall short. I marvel at just how much he and our Father in Heaven are in the details of my life and the lives of my family!

This painting of Christ on the shores of the sea of Galilee is called "Be Still My Soul" and hangs in our living room wall. My husband is from the islands and we spent a few years in the beginning of our marriage living in Hawaii and Tonga. I learned a lot about the ocean, its currents, its tides, and its beauty and power during the may hours we spent on its beaches and enjoying its beauty. However, amid the beauty and fun of playing in ocean waters, you have to be aware of the waters to stay safe. Sometimes, there are powerful and treacherous waves that can knock you down. There are rip currents that carry you further out to sea and make you feel like you're going to drown. In the same way, life is beautiful, but there are waves of trials and struggles that can make you feel like you're going under. There are currents strong enough to pull us away if we are not vigilant and wary. This painting reminds me that Christ is there to calm the waves and storms, that he walks those sandy beaches with us (think "footprints" poem) and if he can't calm all the crashing waves, he can calm us, and carry us, and bring us the peace that helps life be happy and beautiful, even as the storms around us rage."

Seen by Christ: Jessica Steele

 

DESCRIBE AN EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU HAVE FELT SEEN BY JESUS CHRIST:

Jessica Steele, Kennington Ward

After having five children and feeling really good about our family being complete, I began counting our children every night and wondered who was missing, as we gathered for dinner. It continued happening for several weeks, until, I began having feelings that our family was not complete. I kept these feelings to myself for many weeks.

One night when Kevin came home from work, I shared the feelings I was having and to my surprise, he had been feeling the same way. We spent the next several days, talking about what these thoughts and feelings were all about. I had been taking care of babies in the NICU for 20 years and had taken a year off to be with my young children. Were we to foster babies? Adopt? We began to pray about the reason behind these feelings and what we were supposed to do.

I found out that a woman in our ward had adopted children and worked for an adoption agency. I called her one afternoon and asked her all kinds of questions about foster care, fost-adopt and adoption. After a long conversation, she told me they didn’t have enough families for all of the African American babies they were trying to place. We had never thought about adopting children of another race or culture but as we talked about it, we felt very strongly this is what we were to do.

It was a three year process of many failed placements which were hard on us but especially hard on our young family. Finally, within a nineteen month period, our prayers were answered and we were blessed with two beautiful baby girls. They brought so much joy to our family and now we were finally complete! I felt as though everything that had happened to get these babies was a sweet miracle from a loving Heavenly Father.

By the time our girls started junior high, things became somewhat difficult and it wasn’t easy to raise them as teenagers. In fact, it became the greatest challenge in my life. I was discouraged, sad, angry…so many emotions. It became so hard and I started questioning the reason for our decision, so many years prior. It was difficult on our marriage and so hard on our adult children to watch what was happening. I prayed with all my heart for things to become better.

Over a period of a few years, I felt that my prayers weren’t being heard. Through several experiences and continued prayers, I finally began to see and feel what it was that I was to learn. Looking back on this experience, I truly “felt seen” by Jesus Christ. Because of Him, my Heavenly Father began teaching me why these two beautiful daughters had come into my life. They have taught my husband and I, along with our other children, what it means to truly love unconditionally. To accepts our girls for who they are and to allow them to choose for themselves. And to love no matter what! We have become less judgmental, more loving and patient. Through this process, I have felt greater peace in my heart. He has taught me where to turn for peace and what to see in and how to see my girls and others. How to see things differently, through Him! For this I am grateful!

Where can I turn for peace?

Where is my solace

When other sources cease to make me whole?

When with a wounded heart, anger, or malice,

I draw myself apart,

Searching my soul?

Where, when my aching grows,

Where, when I languish,

Where, in my need to know, where can I run?

Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish?

Who, who can understand?

He, only One.

He answers privately,

Reaches my reaching

In my Gethsemane, Savior and Friend.

Gentle the peace he finds for my beseeching.

Constant he is and kind,

Love without end.

Seen by Christ: Kim Sellers Copenhaver

DESCRIBE AN EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU HAVE FELT SEEN BY JESUS CHRIST:

Kim Sellers Copenhaver, Greenbriar Ward

At the young age of 15, I lost three of my brothers in a car accident… This changed my life entirely. I was the 4th of six kids. I now have one older brother and a little sister. My whole world was turned upside down. I have never prayed so hard, or have been uplifted by the spirit more than through this trial. At a young age I gained a firm testimony of the church. It gave me peace and hope that through the ordinances of the temple we will be together again as an eternal family.

When I turned 16 I got my patriarchal blessing. My blessing specifically talks about my wedding day. It says that I would have additional revelation in the temple and leave with thankfulness for my Heavenly Father.

Now that you know some of my story I want to share an experience where I felt seen by Jesus Christ.

I met my cute hubby when I was 21. We got engaged and as we were getting ready for our wedding day- I started to have this overwhelming feeling come over me, I was so devastated… I didn’t want my brothers to miss such a huge life event . I was so sad. I cried a lot as it got closer. I’m sure anyone who has lost someone has felt this. It’s hard when life moves forward and your loved ones aren’t there. I remember on my wedding day signing my marriage license before our temple sealing , my hands were trembling. I MISSED THEM! I wanted them there more than anything.

As I was walking down the hall in the temple, we started to approach the sealing room. I have a very large extended family. So with family and friends we had over invited to our sealing. People were standing anywhere there was room. It was PACKED! As I walked in with my mom, I stopped to give my dad a hug. My sweet dad whispered to me , “ They are Here!!! Look! “ I looked over at the front row of a packed room- there were three open seats. I started to cry. My bishops wife who was a friend of the family said before the sealing started. “The boys are here! “ The spirit was soooo very strong. Everyone was crying. It was then I knew Jesus knew me and exactly what I needed. He knew my heart. And I was so very thankful to have that experience and to have my brothers at my sealing.

I love this picture. It just stands out to me. I think because in life we can feel like we are drowning. Whether it is in laundry, house cleaning, or life’s trials - he is there. To help pull you out.

Seen by Christ: Martha Taylor

 DESCRIBE AN EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU HAVE FELT SEEN BY JESUS CHRIST:

Martha Taylor, 37th Ward

In my home we have this beautiful picture of Christ.

As I go through life I sometimes feel alone or invisible, as if my insecurities create a wall between me and the joy my Savior wishes for me.

In those moments of distance, I have witnessed my Savior’s loving watch through my ministering angels, thoughtful neighbors, and my loving family.

This image of Christ reminds often that I am not alone or invisible. He sees me through trials, he sees me through times of worry, and he sees me through moments of joy and victory. Because of his encompassing love, I’m also inspired to seek others who feel as alone or invisible and do my best to minister to others as has been done to me.

Seen by Christ: Lynda Hansen

DESCRIBE AN EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU HAVE FELT SEEN BY JESUS CHRIST:

Lynda Hansen, Roberts Farms Ward

In 2014 I had to do mediation for my impending divorce. Knowing I had to negotiate for the future of my kids, myself and my financial security with someone who has a very difficult person was so scary. That's a big event in a life. I wished so deeply my Dad could be with me that day. But because my parents passed away when I was young, I asked my older brother to come sit by my side through the process.

When I arrived I met the older gentleman who had been assigned as the mediator. He was a former judge and was well qualified. He was polite and professional but not warm.

Mediation began and I moved forward but after a few hours, I still felt fear. During one of our discussions, I mentioned something about my dad being a senator. The mediator said, "I worked at the senate for a time. Who is your dad?" I told him "Sherman Wayment." He looked surprised and asked, "Your dad was Sherm Wayment?" "Yes," I said.

He then went on to tell me that he had worked with my dad and that he was one of the finest men he had ever met. In that instant everything changed. I felt the Spirit and I felt my Dad's presence, I felt love, peace and hope. The mediator became very kind and reassured me that everything would be okay. That Heavenly Father would take care of me and would give me what I needed.

I know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ saw me that day. In a fearful, vulnerable state. And they comforted me by making sure that the man working with me in the judicial system in 2014, knew my Dad, who died in 1981.

This picture is my favorite. His eyes are the first thing I see when I come out of my bedroom every morning. And in them, I see volumes of love.

Seen by Christ: Rachael Wood

 

DESCRIBE AN EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU HAVE FELT SEEN BY JESUS CHRIST:

Rachael Wood, Kennington Ward

Last month I spoke in church and my baby got baptized. I wanted to feel a stronger connection with Jesus and make both of these things more special. I got to work. I spent HOURS and HOURS (think days and days) researching, reading conference talks, quotes, scriptures, listened to multiple podcasts, watch The Chosen, read baptism and Holy Ghost books with my son, did a lesson on both baptism and the Holy Ghost, taught primary and went to the temple and sacrificed a lot of time for these efforts. And it paid off. Inspiration just came to me. Any time I turned my phone on, it was another quote that fit perfectly with my talk and gave me guidance where to study next. I have never felt closer to my Savior in my entire life. After a hard mom day of trying to get the kids everywhere and making their youth temple appts work and getting them to sports too and trying to serve someone, I had 20 minutes to sit in my car to wait for a child to get out of practice. I turned on my phone and the first two things that popped up was a super funny meme on a hard day, and a quote to mothers about why satan tries so much on mothers. I felt seen in the good inspiring times. And I felt seen in the hard moment. I even said in my talk “I feel seen and loved by the Savior.” Such a simple phrase. But the feeling inside me is so powerful that I want my kids to feel this. I want my friends to grow this type of connection. I don’t want to lose this closeness. I know I can’t keep up that magnitude of devotion for the rest of my life, but it gave me a desire to try to do a little more on a daily basis.”

Seen by Christ: Carole Heslop

DESCRIBE AN EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU HAVE FELT SEEN BY JESUS CHRIST:

Carole Heslop, 37th Ward

While my mother was finishing her mortal life this past fall; her birthday had come and gone in mid November. We felt like she was just waiting for her 92nd birthday and then go. But she kept lingering, she had a small rally after her birthday, but her birthday was the last time she left her apartment. My sister and I just kept wondering, why are you still here? It consumed my thoughts too much, day and night. Then within 3 Nephi 17:3 is says:

Ask the Father in my name, that ye may understand.

So every day I prayed for understanding; at the time I was not only reading The Book of Mormon, but was also reading Jesus the Christ, due to our young Women President, Ashley. I consistently prayed for understanding, because of reading this scripture. One day, and I don't know how many days later, but that question was completely gone. Jesus Christ sees in each of our hearts, He knows me. He knows us.

Seen by Christ: Dana Peterson

DESCRIBE AN EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU HAVE FELT SEEN BY JESUS CHRIST:

Dana Peterson, Angel Crossing Ward

I had an experience recently when flying alone for the first time. On my return flight, I missed my connecting flight. My stress was already building as I followed everyone to stand in line to book a new flight. I had no idea what I was supposed to do. To make things worse, it was 1 in the morning and I realized that my only form of ID had fallen out of my pocket. I couldn’t book or get on a flight without some form of ID. I had no idea what to do. I prayed and asked my Heavenly Father what I should do. I had a thought to look on my phone for any anything I could use. Although I knew I had never taken anything I could use for ID, I pulled out my phone. With no hope of finding anything, I spun my photos backward with my finger. When they stopped, it stopped on a photo of my drivers license. I don’t know when or why I could have taken it. The fact that out of my thousands of pictures it happened to stop on the photo of my drivers license was a miracle that reminded me that Heavenly Father was aware of me personally and the help I needed. That was the first of several miracles in that trip. I really felt my Father’s love.

Seen by Christ: Kim Porter

 

DESCRIBE AN EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU HAVE FELT SEEN BY JESUS CHRIST:

Kim Porter, Roberts Farms Ward

I try to notice Christ and Heavenly Father in my life every day. I think of Them when I feel the sun on my face, watch the sunset, lose my keys. These moments are often as fleeting as a firefly, gone as soon as they catch my attention. Other times, I go looking and find Him in answered prayers, tender mercies, or the scriptures. But the times I feel like He sees me and hears me are often in the midst of a struggle. A verse or, more often, the words to a hymn will touch my heart right when I need them.

“Fear not, I am with thee. As thy days shall demand, so thy succor shall be.”

“With my hand in thine, I’ll go where you want me to go.”

“The fight was won by Jesus!”

One of the first times I recall feeling seen by Him was in seminary. I have struggled with depression and anxiety probably most of my life. I remember staying home from elementary school because I was sick and not going back for two weeks because my stomach ache just wouldn’t go away. Looking back now I can see that I was anxious about catching up on my missing work and that those stomach aches were not illness at all.

By high school I was on medication for my depression. I remember being in church or seminary and just feeling nothing. When I prayed it felt like I was just talking to myself. I heard people say things like “my day just goes better when I read my Scriptures” but to me it didn’t make any difference at all. “I know Heavenly Father and Jesus love me” felt more like a TV commercial I had heard so many times that I had it memorized, but it didn’t apply to me. It just didn’t feel personal.

I hated that feeling. I wanted the blessings that supposedly came from reading your scriptures, keeping the Sabbath Day Holy, praying. I wanted to feel the spirit and grow my testimony. I wanted to feel more peace throughout the day, to know the Book of Mormon was true and understand it better. I wanted to feel His love for me. I wanted to get answers to my prayers. But I just…didn’t. I would read the same verse four times and nothing got from my eyes to my brain, and certainly nowhere near my heart.

I kept doing the things, checking the boxes, hoping to feel His love for me. I went to church, seminary, mutual. I participated, sung the hymns, did the scripture chases, memorized the verses, gave the right answers in Sunday School. Trying to earn an answer, maybe.

It didn’t come as I expected, like a warm feeling or a glowy experience. I like to think that Heavenly Father knew that the medication I was on at the time wouldn’t facilitate feeling the spirit. My answer was just words on a page. Words that made me feel so seen, so heard. It was a description so specific it felt like it was just for me, to let me know that He knew how I was feeling. I wasn’t reading a prophecy, or a letter, or a testimony, or a message. It was just a description.

3 Nephi 8:20-22

And it came to pass that there was thick darkness upon all the face of the land, insomuch that the inhabitants thereof who had not fallen could feel the vapor darkness;

And there could be no light, because of the darkness, neither candles, neither torches; neither could there be fire kindles with their fine and exceeding dry wood, so that there could not be any light at all.

And there was not any light seen, neither fire, nor glimmer, neither the sun nor the moon, nor the stars, for so great were the mists of darkness which were upon the face of the land.

If there is a better description of what depression feels like, I haven’t found it yet. No light, no enjoyment, no hope. Palpable, thick darkness.

Through the years (and years) I have learned to manage my depression better. I have learned to recognize my anxiety and how to live with it. I have found medicine that works for me without muddling my brain and smothering all emotion. I can feel the spirit and see His hand in my life. My life is mostly bright now, instead of mostly dark. I find joy in my mostly-feral kids, in creating, in learning new things. But when I have a bad day or a bad week, I still think about this scripture and take comfort in it. And every day I try to notice those glimmers, those flickers, those little fire-flies that I can jar up and look back at when I find myself in the dark.

Seen by Christ: Chari Swensen

 

DESCRIBE AN EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU HAVE FELT SEEN BY JESUS CHRIST:

Chari Swensen, Roberts Farms Ward

Sadly, I don't have a picture of me with my favorite picture of Christ, but this one has been my strength over the last few years. When my son came home from his mission with health concerns, initially I felt like my son had been forgotten by our Savior. It was hard to watch him struggle and not know how to help him. He had received blessings of healing but it didn't seem to be coming. We were in the heart of a storm we couldn't control, but then the peace came. Nothing was solved, he still struggles with many things, but I know that in that storm, the Lord brought us peace and continues to bless us and reach out His hand as we reach for Him. Elder Holland offered these words of comfort that let me know I am seen.

"I offer you my apostolic promise that they (prayers) are heard and they are answered, though perhaps not at the time or in the way we wanted. But they are always answered at the time and in the way an omniscient and eternally compassionate parent should answer them."

Seen by Christ: Sharane Pitts

 

DESCRIBE AN EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU HAVE FELT SEEN BY JESUS CHRIST:

Sharane Pitts, 37th Ward

Dear sisters, I was asked to share a photo of myself with my favorite picture of Christ. This is me with my favorite people (my husband & children), and this is one of my favorite pictures of Christ (there are so many beautiful ones). I was also asked to describe an experience when I felt seen by Jesus Christ.

The past two years have brought some heartbreaking experiences for two of our children. One child has walked away from the church, Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ. Another child has suffered from severe depression. These are ongoing, very difficult experiences to navigate as a mother. Many times, I haven't known how to find the strength to keep going. Jesus Christ has given me so much strength and love. I know, without a doubt, that He sees me and that He understands my pain, worry, and troubled spirit. He gives me so much hope when I struggle to see my way forward. I am so thankful for Jesus Christ. I know that He lives and that He loves us all.

Seen by Christ: Deija Peterson

 

DESCRIBE AN EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU HAVE FELT SEEN BY JESUS CHRIST:

Deija Peterson, Roberts Farms Ward

I love this scripture “come unto me, that ye might feel and see” I have had so many amazing experiences where I have felt seen by Jesus Christ. Some very personal. Some that I’ve shared.

When our youngest was going through some hard challenges and I was feeling deflated I had an impression to start recording the tender mercies I saw each day.

Some days the tender mercies “things I could feel and see” took me time to recognize, and I would really have to stretch myself to find something good on those hard days.

With practice I was able to more easily recognize a tender mercy each day. Before long I was focusing more on the positive than the negative and could quickly come up with many tender mercies each day.

The challenge with my little one didn’t go away, but it became easier to bear once I was able to feel and see the Savior in my life through these tender mercies.

I feel seen when my ministering sister texts me the morning of a test to wish me luck. I feel seen when a neighbor leaves a new Dr Pepper flavor on the porch for me to try. I feel seen when I’m sick and a meal for my family is dropped off. I feel seen when someone is speaking in Sacrament and I receive the answer to a prayer. I feel seen in each wave, smile, or kind word someone says to me. I feel seen when I watch the birds enjoy the birdseed I put on the deck, when I see a beautiful sunset, or listen to a quaking aspens leaves quake in the wind.

I feel seen by the Savior and recognize the Lords hand in every big and little detail of my life.

Seen by Christ: Ellie Oram

 

DESCRIBE AN EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU HAVE FELT SEEN BY JESUS CHRIST:

Ellie Oram, 37th Ward

I felt seen by Jesus Christ when I was trying to start a family and was struggling with infertility. I finally got that positive test we had been waiting so long for. I felt as if Jesus was just pulling me out of my sorrows and giving me a big hug. Ready to cheer me on in my new adventure!

Seen by Christ: Ashley Pabst

DESCRIBE AN EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU HAVE FELT SEEN BY JESUS CHRIST:

Ashley Pabst, Roberts Farms Ward

Last night I received a text message asking if I would share a moment when I had felt seen by God, in anticipation for next Saturday’s Stake Women’s Conference. As I searched my mind, I couldn’t think of anything that wasn’t too long to explain or too personal to share. I remembered getting the flier a few weeks ago encouraging us to see more of Christ in our lives in preparation for the conference. I was a little embarrassed with myself that in the busyness of life, I hadn’t put more effort into that invitation. I prayed to remember an experience I could share, and went to bed uncertain. Then this morning I was listening to a podcast while I cleaned my house. My heart was feeling a little heavy with concerns for a loved one. As the conversation on the podcast was wrapping up, the host asked the interviewee what message he would give to someone in a specific situation. It was the exact situation that was weighing on my heart with my loved one. Of course, I stopped and paid close attention, surprised that this podcast recorded 4 years ago suddenly had such relevance to my life. To that specific situation the man being interviewed replied. “God is unbelievably and unfathomably good. So whatever your struggles… God loves you.” In that moment I felt seen and loved by God. He knows the concerns in my heart, as well as yours. I know that as we take time to look for God in our life, we will find Him, ministering to us personally.