Tender Mercies

Megan Kitchen
October 14, 1991 - December 12, 2008

This is the phrase that has continued to pass through my thoughts since I received that horrible phone call Friday night. Most of you know that I am the Young Women's president in my ward (church) here in Missouri. Friday night the Bishop called to tell me that one of our young women was killed in a car accident. I can't remember all the feelings that went through me but shock and concern for the other girls in the ward was foremost in my thoughts. Every time one of the girls cried, it just hurt me to see their hurt. Despite all of the grief and sorrow, I have truly seen the hand of the Lord in my life and in the lives of those around me.
Here are a few "Tender Mercies":
1. The youth were already scheduled to attend the temple in the morning. We went and truly felt peace.
2. When I got up to welcome the girls to YW's on Sunday I broke down. During the song and prayer I silently pleaded for help and the Spirit, so the girls could find comfort and peace. My prayers were answered and the girls left without tears. We even smiled! I also realized that our last lesson before Megan's passing was entitled "Preparing for Change".
3. When I went to visit Megan's mom, Lori, I saw how so many things had recently happened that brings comfort to us now.
4. Megan was a junior in high school so she had not had her senior pictures taken yet. Just weeks before her brother had come and taken absolutely beautiful pictures of her. Including the one above. This is how she would want to be remembered. With a huge smile!
5. Megan had just been to get her Patriarchal blessing and they had just received the hard copy in the mail and read it over together. The Lord's promises are sure!
6. I got sick, but was able to find the strength to get out of bed and make it to the viewing where I saw smiles on the girls faces. They realized that Megan was happy now and that she would want us to be happy.
7. I was able to know what to say, and able to say it, at the funeral. I had to read over my notes later to even remember what I had said. I know that we are all children of God and that while Megan is home now, He knows that we have sorrow and loves us too. He does send help and comfort to all who seek it.
8. As hard as it is to not have her here with us now, we have all been blessed to know her and love her.
At the funeral the Bishop read a poem that Megan had written on December 1, 2008 entitiled "Some day this will all make sense".
As I look at Lori and Tom and everyone around us, I see a trial of faith. We preach of forgiveness, Lori and Tom have shown forgiveness in the hardest of circumstances. We preach to the youth and in our families about the power of the Atonement and that the Ressurection is real. Now we see it and are filled with promise and understanding.
I know that there are more but these are the ones that stand out in my mind. I know that we will continue to see "tender mercies" in all our lives as we see how the Lord shapes our lives in His own perfect way.