I desire for everyone to know, who has exercised their faith in behalf of our family, your faith has not gone unanswered. We have been literally carried and sustained through day after day. We have felt a calm and a peace beyond ourselves that have enabled us to get up each morning and function and do what needs to be done that day to continue our efforts to find our daughter. We know that this is a result of your prayers. Thank you (times a million).
We have been unable to find our sweet daughter’s body at this time. But these things we know. We know that Heavenly Father has heard the countless prayers and combined faith exercised by people literally all over the world. We know He has heard us, and if He choses to not show us where to find her, then we trust that there is a purpose in this. We know we are in His hands. We know He loves us and everyone who has reached out in such kindness and support. We can feel peace in putting our lives in His hands and pray that His purposes will be fulfilled in this whole experience.
What amazing examples, wow. What great faith ~ I want to be able to face my trials (so small in comparison!) with that kind of hope and trust in God. I was thinking of the Schmidts as I recenlty re-listened to their song "It's Gonna Be Okay". I first heard that before Annie went missing. But now ~ Can they still sing that and still believe that given these new circumstances? In tragedy and death, do we believe it's gonna be okay? From that statement I can tell that the Schmidts do, they made this video with faith like that in mind! "Michelle's optimism and faith is what our music and videos are all about" Also loved this post by Steven Nelson, the "cello" guy - Let these experiences give us an increase, not a decrease - "An increase of faith and empathy. An increase in gratitude for every moment we have with the people we love. An increase in long hugs instead of stern rebukes. An increase of faith in Divine purposes we cannot yet see. An increase in determination to search out and find people who feel lost and lift them up until they feel lost no more."
If we will let Him, Christ will wipe away every tear (favorite general conference talk from October!), "All that is unfair (or tragic or hard) about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ." that one from another great talk by Sister Burton. With the Schmidts, I too know that because of Jesus Christ, it's going to be okay.
