Duluth Young Women Regional Camp. Miracles observed by the Rochester, Minnesota Young Women’s Leaders Ann Eberhard, Sherry Kochan, and Jen Kennedy.
Our stake chartered two buses due to the distance to the regional conference. Three cars followed the buses and the second bus driver must have been very sleepy as his driving was erratic. He changed speeds often and drove out of his lane repeatedly. We were relieved and grateful all arrived safely–a mini-miracle.
One of the cars following the bus arrived at the campus, parked in a parking space, and his radiator patch blew and released fluid into the lot. He made the four and one-half hour drive safely and was able to stay on campus which was a great benefit to us.
We were told that we would have an escort to guide us to our classes the next day. It was unclear as to who it was and where we were to be escorted. We attended the 7 o’clock fireside and Ann started talking to the youth sitting next to her. Guess what? It was her escort (in a room of 1000 people)! What a miracle!
On Monday, it was requested that we make copies right away for one of our hard working leaders. She gave us the paper and we were quickly in search of a copy machine. After inquiring where to go, we found a copy place only to see it had closed 10 minutes prior. We laughed at our fate and began to problem solve when a nice lady came walking behind us and overheard our conversation. She said that she worked there and that she left her cell phone and returned to retrieve it. She allowed us to make copies and closed up shop. What a blessing.
One of our girls had previously dislocated her knee and had reinjured it climbing in the bleachers. We were able to find the only wheelchair in the university, and take her to one of the only handicap accessible rooms in the dorms (her pre-assigned room)!
One of our tender-hearted youth had walked unaccompanied (breaking a rule) to the restroom. She was found by one of our leaders just before a stern hall monitor would have found her. Her tender spirit would have been crushed by chastisement, and we were relieved and grateful for the intervention.
Jen was walking in halls when she came across four missing young women who were hopelessly and completely lost. She was able to take them back to their leader, which is another miracle, as Jen is directionally challenged!
One of our youth had called home and requested to be picked up by her mom. When her mom arrived, she drove around and became lost trying to find us. At this moment, we called her on her cell phone and found her to be parked right next to where we were.
We are so grateful that the Lord has a tender place in his heart for the youth! Our presidency felt concerned that our two Salt Lake speakers were scheduled to speak of spiritual things after a rock band played. We were worried about how the girls could feel the Spirit with them still focused on the rock band, wondered what we could do to help, and said a lot of quiet prayers. We tried singing Primary songs during the transition time, but the youth were still too focused on the band to participate. I am sure we were not the only leaders praying for Sister Robinson and Sister Featherstone, and the girls to feel the spirit of their message.Then something happened which will stay in our hearts forever. By simple and beautiful means, plain and precious truths were taught. We were touched by the stirring testimony of the video. We were amazed to see the roving microphone that allowed youth to refocus on spiritual things. The incorporation of the hymn, Teach Me to Walk in the Light, and the teachings of sign language were truly inspired. We sat there amazed and awe-struck as the Spirit filled our hearts to overflowing. Simple testimonies were shared as love filled our hearts and souls. We felt we had witnessed something beyond our grasp; something so incredible and filling and stirring. We felt as if we were in the presence of angels.
On a side note, Ann and I were discussing our morning scripture reading Tuesday in Alma 23, and how Ammon and Aaron, Omner and Himni were able to teach the Lamanites and I asked Ann, “How did they do that – convert thousands?” Alma 23:5 …and thousands were brought to the knowledge of the Lord, yea, thousands were brought to believe….
And Ann’s reply was, “I don’t know, I guess it had to be through the Spirit.” Well just last night [during our speakers], I saw how it was done. I witnessed pure and simple testimony, music, and love all wrapped in the Spirit of the Lord. Thank you both for teaching us how to perform miracles.