Post # 156 – The Miracle of the Pink Christmas Tree
Dear Friends
and Family
I found this
amazing story that is one that took me on an emotional roller coaster. It is a
beautiful story of life, of loss, of love for one another, of service, of miracles
and of a pink Christmas tree😊 This story helps us to remember to
look for the miracles every day, especially in our worse or lowest times. There
are miracles all around us. There are miracles that we help make happen, if we
are in tune with the Spirit of the Lord. This story is about our Savior and the
peace that only He can give you.
The Miracle of the Pink Christmas Tree
December 13, 2019
I have a pink Christmas
tree. Three short years ago I would have thought it was gaudy and ridiculous.
But today it represents to me the best things about Christmas: miracles, love
for one another, and, most of all, the Savior.
The story of my pink
tree begins with my three-year-old daughter, named Elsie.
My Elsie was
innocently naughty in all of the best ways.
She brought home fistfuls
of my neighbors’ flowers, she constantly snuck into my craft room to dump
glitter on her head, and one time she set a neighbor’s chickens free. She was
packed to the brim with life and laughter.
On November 22, 2016,
Elsie became entangled in a cord from our window blinds. When I found her, I
screamed her name, quickly took her down, and started CPR. She smelled like
chocolate that she must have snuck from the pantry.
I sent my son to get
help. My neighbor came and administered a priesthood blessing. I remember
feeling relief when Elsie took that first ragged breath and her heart began to
beat again under my chest compressions. The paramedics swept in and took over
the lifesaving efforts, and Elsie was flown in a helicopter to the hospital.
For a week at the hospital, she alternately showed signs of progress followed
by decline.
Miracles
“But behold, I will
show unto you a God of miracles” (Mormon 9:11).
There were many
miracles surrounding her accident. When I sent my son to get help, my neighbor
just happened to be running a little late for work. He just happened to already
have consecrated oil in his pocket to quickly administer a priesthood blessing.
The paramedics were
stationed about 15 minutes away, but they just happened to be on break at a
store only 3 minutes from my home. And I was somehow able to perfectly
administer CPR. I had never done CPR before, but I started Elsie’s heart.
When we got to the
hospital, Elsie was responding to light and pain, which was good. But she was
also experiencing rhythmic, uncontrollable twitches that are common in anoxic
brain injuries. She was fevering, and her heart rate was unnaturally high. On
top of all that, Elsie was breathing over the ventilator, meaning that for
every breath that the vent would give, she would take another on her own,
panting like a dog.
But then her siblings
came to visit. They talked to her quietly. They painted her nails and painted theirs
to match. When it came time to leave, they sang to her “Families Can Be
Together Forever.” As they sang, her heart rate returned to a normal pace. Her
temperature came down. Her breathing slowed, and her twitches stopped and never
came back. Another miracle.
Because of these
miracles, I felt we had every reason to hope for an even bigger miracle—a full
recovery to show forth the Lord’s power to heal. But when Elsie’s scans came back,
they showed very little brain activity, and even that was beginning to decline.
We fled to the temple to seek clarity and peace.
In the temple we received
the strong impression that Elsie would not live. I was devastated and felt like
such a failure. Why was I able to save her only to have her die? Where was my
miracle?
Elsie became the
missing miracle. The lifesaving miracle we had pleaded for would not be for
Elsie but instead from Elsie to others through the miracle of organ donation.
She would give to those whose missions here were not yet finished, and she
would leave this earth as a lifesaving hero. Our pain would become another’s
joy.
Love for One Another
A different kind of
miracle was happening at our house during the week we spent in the hospital.
I wondered how I could
ever feel safe in my home again. How could I come back to the scene of the
worst moment of my life?
My wonderful neighbors
knew that they could not fix our broken hearts, so they came to my home to fix
as many other broken things as they could find—and they didn’t have to look too
far to find them!
The first round of
neighbors vacuumed floors, washed dishes, tidied up toys, and cleaned
bathrooms. As more people learned of the service being done, the miracle grew.
Furniture was replaced, walls were painted, new decor and lamps were donated,
and sinks and appliances were tuned up or fixed. My friends, neighbors, and
even strangers went to work transforming my home until it was bursting at the
seams with Christlike love and service.
When we drove home
from the hospital for the final time, we found the streets of our neighborhood
lined with hundreds of candles lighting our path. It was bitterly cold, yet
dozens of neighbors stood outside to sing comforting hymns to us. Many trees were
strung with pink lights or tied with pink ribbons—Elsie’s favorite color.
No one asked me what I
needed. I wouldn’t have known what to ask for, and I never would have asked for
all that I received. But each person came and offered whatever they could to
bless our family and ease our burden. They were beacons of light during our darkest
hours, the Lord’s hands here on earth.
The Savior
One of the things I
remember most about that long week is the overwhelming peace that we felt. As
we fasted and prayed for peace, it was liberally given. We came to understand
what is meant by “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).
Because of Jesus Christ, we are able to feel peace even in sorrow.
Above all else, my
family has more reason now to feel gratitude that Jesus was born. Everything
really will be okay in the end because He was born. His birth overcame Elsie’s
death. Because of our Savior, we will see Elsie again, and we will be an
eternal family.
We long for the Savior’s
return with more eagerness, we live with more hope in our hearts, and we
remember with more reverence that He gave His life that we might live again.
“He is the light and the life of the world” (Mosiah 16:9; italics
added).
Pink Christmas Trees
In my neighborhood at
Christmastime, many yards will have one tree adorned in pink lights. It used to
make me feel so happy that Elsie was remembered and honored. But I see now that
the real reason for the pink trees is that Elsie helped others remember Christ,
serve as Christ served, and love as He loved. She helps us remember that
because He came, we will see our loved ones again.
Because those pink
trees remind me of Him, they have become the classiest decoration I could
possibly have in my home. If you happen to see a pink tree this year, I hope it
will remind you of the Savior and maybe of a way that you, too, can light the
world this Christmas.
Sunny Mahe lives in
Lehi, Utah, but enjoys being able to claim a southern upbringing from Allen,
Texas. She enjoys reading, baking treats for her family and friends, and
creating messes in her craft room.
This story
makes me want to have a pink Christmas tree too! I read this story and immediately
I wanted to share it with all of you. This story also reminds us of the
importance of eternal marriage in the House of the Lord. It reminds us of the
opportunity that we can have to see our loved ones who have passed on before
us. This story shows us how the Savior’s hands can work miracles here on the
earth.
This story
shows the power of the priesthood. This story shows us how a neighborhood of
friends and stranger alike came together to help a family in need. They showed
love for one another just as Jesus has shown by His example while here on this
earth. Just imagine how much help each one of us can be if we are listening for
the still small voice. What miracles
will you help to make happen today?
I believe
that this little girl is busy helping with Heavenly Father’s work on the other
side. I was working at a school many years ago for special needs children ages
birth to 21. I was part of a pilot program to introduce our high school aged students
into the high school for eventual integration. During this time, I was working
with a young lady who was crippled up on one side of her body. She walked on
her own with a walker. I attended all of her classes with her, one of which was
her seminary class.
Prior to this
time, I had been working with this young lady off and on for a couple of years.
I had enlarged her scriptures so that she could read them, one verse at a time.
Her vision was very poor. I had much better handwriting back then😊
She had many workers over the years because she was mean to people. She would
hit them and spit on them and call out awful things. She would wet her pants
while sitting beside you on the bus☹ these were only a few of the ways
that she was mean.
I had worked
with her very hard on her social struggles. She would do so good for a bit then
go back to what was her habit of doing things. I had very long hair at the time
and I wore it in braids on either side of my head. One day I was bent over to
help her with some reading that she was struggling with and she reached up
behind me and grabbed one of my braid so hard she put me on the floor. I think I
was shocked more than hurt that she could and would do this to me. I thought we
were getting along so well.
Another time
she slammed my hand in the desk drawer as I was getting out her work for her to
begin. Another time she tried to stab me with scissors. My principle told me
that it was probably just an accident. I was there and it sure didn’t seem like
an accident on the almost receiving side of a pair of scissors in someone’s
hands coming at you and barely missing you☹ On most days she seemed to be a very
angry young lady. She really did have a beautiful smile when she had a good day😊
One day she
got in trouble at the high school and when she came back to the main school the
principle came out to get her off the bus and take her into the school. He reached
up to help her off the bus and she hit him so hard that she knocked his glasses off his face and
onto the other side of a parked car that was next to the bus that was dropping
her off☹ I hate to admit this but at the time I
thought to myself – oh, that was just an accident. I definitely had let the
devil into my thoughts☹
Another day
she was acting up in our classroom, so she was not allowed to go to her classes
she had to stay in our classroom all day. Still another day she had such a fit
that all of our students had to leave our classroom at the high school to keep
them safe. She tore the entire room apart and was throwing anything that she
could get a good grasp on. After this happened, she was suspended for a day. The
next day I came to work, and I did a lot of paperwork as I had no student, but I
still had to work. I was also an aide on the bus.
When I had
finished all of my paperwork, I wasn’t sure just what I should do with the next
50 minutes before the bus came. I asked my supervising teacher if I could go to
my students class the next hour. He told me I could, but he was not at all sure
if the teacher would or could allow me to attend without my student. I ventured
into her seminary class and asked the teacher if I could still attend even
though my student was not with me.
The teacher
was very happy to see me. He asked after my student. I explained what had happened
and why she was not there. He invited me to stay. On that day I learned what I believe
was a profound truth about my student and about myself. I don’t really remember
what the lesson was about, but I do remember what he taught us about those with
special needs.
I am not sure
if this is written in scripture somewhere, but he told us that he was going to take
advantage of the fact that my student was gone on that day to teach us
something important about those with disabilities or special needs. You see, He
said that these spirits were more advanced in the premortal world and they were
sent here to test and help those around them.
He said that
they – all of the children born into this world with special needs would automatically
go to the celestial kingdom – the highest kingdom of God. At the time I thought
that it was unfair because this girl was so mean and hateful to everyone who
was around her. I was so new to the Gospel of Jesus Christ that I had a hard
time understanding what he was saying.
He further
explained that these spirits were sent here on their earthly mission of a sort.
They agreed to come with the challenges that they faced so that they could help
and teach all those with whom they had contact in their mortal lives no matter
how long or short they may be. Since that day I am less judgmental and more tolerant
and a more repentant soul😊
I believe
that our Heavenly Father sees our lives from the beginning to the end. He knows
what will happen before it happens. He sends His choice spirits down here to
help and teach us. I don’t think that there was anything wrong with this little
angel who prompted the pink Christmas tree, but maybe she too was a spirit in
the spirit world that knew she was only going to be here on this earth for a
short time.
Maybe she
knew beforehand what her life was going to be like and how many miracles, she
would help create even in her passing out of this earthly life and on to the
next life? Maybe she knew that she alone would be the Lord’s hands here on this
earth to help Him grant all of the miracles that her passing would allow to
come to pass. And of course, she would be able to go home to live with Heavenly
Father and help with His work from her heavenly home.
I believe
that when our Heavenly Father sends us to this earth there are some things that
only we can perform in this mortal state. There are some blessings that we
alone can be His hands to fulfill. I could be totally wrong in this thought
train but, nonetheless this is what I believe. Each one of us has a work to do
that no one else can do while in our mortal state and if we choose not to do it
then it wont get done. Look at this story and all of the miracles that
occurred.
Many people would
simply call these things a coincidence, but I agree with the mother, that the
Lord had His hand in the mix. Miracles can only happen with His divine
intervention and those who allow themselves to be His hands here on this earth.
Ever standing ready to act on the promptings of the still small voice. I am
sure that the EMT team could have taken their break somewhere else or at a
later time. And the person that was late for work on that very day that he was
needed.
I don’t know about
you, but I can see the hand of the Lord in all of the lives in this story😊
The many miracles in this story😊 all of those neighbors and strangers
that were mentioned that came willingly and gave of their time and resources to
transform their home into a newly livable place. Allowing this family, a place where
they could work through all of their grief and loss without the visual
reminders of the tragedy that had taken place.
Wow! I have
been rambling an awful lot today. I hope that at least some of it has been
helpful and uplifting for some of you. Now, on a serious note, I thought it
might be good to share with you The Family: A Proclamation to the World this
helps us understand more about the premortal world and how our families should
be here on this earth:
The Family
A Proclamation to the World
The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve
Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim
that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family
is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.
All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is
a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a
divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual
premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.
In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and
worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His
children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress
toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of
eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be
perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy
temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and
for families to be united eternally.
The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.
We declare
the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm
the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.
Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each
other and for their children. “Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm
127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and
righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach
them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be
law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and
fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these
obligations.
The family
is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal
plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be
reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity.
Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the
teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are
established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness,
respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By
divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and
righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and
protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the
nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and
mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death,
or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families
should lend support when needed.
We
warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or
offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand
accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family
will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold
by ancient and modern prophets.
We
call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote
those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the
fundamental unit of society.
This
proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at
the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City,
Utah.
©
1995, 2008 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the
United States of America.
English approval: 5/08. Translation approval: 5/08. Translation of The Family: A Proclamation to the World. Language. 35602_000
English approval: 5/08. Translation approval: 5/08. Translation of The Family: A Proclamation to the World. Language. 35602_000
I hope that each one of you have enjoyed our time together today😊 I love sharing these wonderful gospel - filled stories with you. I hope that you enjoy them and are benefitting from them in some small way. Remember that you too, like Elsie are a child of God. You are amazing! You have many talents, some that you know and some that you must develop😊
I do believe that we are at the end of our sharing time here today☹ please continue to study your scriptures with me and all of our cyber study buddies. Keep a prayer in your heart when you cannot get on your knees. Do what you can, when you can, to lift and help one another. There is someone waiting for what only you can do for them. You must be ready to act when that call comes to you through the still small voice😊
Pray and read your scriptures every day. Keep sharing what you are learning with your family members and friends😊 I would challenge each one of you to find your own way to Light the World this week. Remember too, it does not need to be a grand or major production to Light the World. You can easily do small and simple acts of kindness to help and lift another during this Christmas season😊 until my next post -- to make it a grand week😊
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