A prized possesion

Last week was Chinese New Year.   While John and the boys spent a week of sleepless nights listening to the ongoing blasts of firework celebrations, I flew out "solo"  to the states to update some of my medical routines.  Thanks to a supportive husband for being so willing to spend his vacation time with four of his biggest fans.  Each day I was gone, I received an update via e-mail or phone call summarizing the boys' day back in Shanghai.  From the sounds of it, I started to wonder if I was being missed at all!  I truly did enjoy my short week in the states, visiting old high school friends, spending time with my family, and stocking up on American supplies. However,even greater was exiting customs in China with my three bulging suitcases (marked "HEAVY" for a good reason),  and immediately spotting 5 smiling American boys that stuck out like a sore thumb through the crowds upon crowds of Asian faces waiting for their certain someone to exit Customs as well.

The next day was like Christmas to the boys!  Who knew emptying a suitcase could bring so much suspense and joy?  And even more, who knew that cinnamon bears, jolly ranchers, or a pair of Lebron James headphones (Parker....) could bring so much happiness??  When I had finally emptied the suitcase, I told the boys I had one more thing I brought home that would make them the happiest of all.  While I was at John's parents house, one of their sweet neighbors (Paul and Julie Emmer) who have known John since he was just a little boy, and had been his Sunday School teacher many years ago recently came upon this, and brought it over to give to me. After reading it to myself, I was touched, and couldn't wait to share it with the boys back at home.

As a family, together we read and studied the hand written testimony our Dad wrote so many years ago, that later was pasted in the front of a Book of Mormon and given to an investigator of the church.  After a few comments such as "Wow Dad, your handwriting hasn't even changed in so many years", or "Dad, did you type that on a typewriter since you guys didn't even have computers back then?" we were able to talk about how we gain a personal testimony of what we believe, and how people gain a testimony at different times in their life.  When I looked back at the date this testimony was written, I realized it was just a  few months after John and I's first date.  Knowing John for so many years, I knew he had a testimony in high school, but now after 18 years of marriage, I am without a doubt of the strength of his testimony and the importance and priority it is in his life.  I am extremely grateful for his example, and the example he is to myself and our boys. This copy of his testimony, and the gift of gaining our own personal testimony will truly always be our prized possesion.