A Crisis of Faith: My Story

This is not how I anticipated spending Christmas day! But I awoke from a nap with the most PRESSING feeling I had to get this done. My gift to my Savior this year is sharing my imperfect witness of Him. My witness of Him has changed with my trials, and I hope what I share reaches people like me who at times struggle to find hope and faith through enduring suffering. Merry Christmas my friends! You...

"I hadn’t heard the phrase, “compensating blessings” until this year while listening to a message given by Bishop Gerald Causse. His words were like salve to a stinging wound in my soul. Never had I heard God’s mercy described in such a way. Bishop Causse explained how “…when circumstances beyond our control prevent us from fulfilling the righteous desire of our hearts, the Lord will compensa...

"To be honest, I’ve often felt ashamed with how weak I feel in this trial (admittedly I still battle with this at times). For years I wondered why I couldn’t be tougher, stronger—like the old Erica. Even when I was doing all I could to turn to God and follow Him, I still felt embarrassingly weak. I didn’t feel as capable as a mother, as a friend, in my church calling, in daily tasks, in my hobbies...

Today marks 12 years since my 16-year-old brother Kj passed away. In honor of him, I feel it would be meaningful for me to share via podcast the article I wrote years ago entitled, “When All Darkness Gathers In.” I know it will bless me to have a recorded version of it, and I pray it can also help others who may be facing their own suffering. As I’ve mentioned before, ironically I wrote this blog...

There are times in our lives when moving forward feels impossible. Many days I struggle with such feelings--especially since 2017. Thankfully, there are ways for all of us to overcome and rise above.

"I often think of myself as house that was hit by a hurricane and then restored. The concussion destroyed portions of the house. The years of rehabilitation were like adding new lumber and materials onto the original design. To all appearances, the restored house is the same, but it is not. It is a composite of the old and new. I look and sound similar to my old self, but I'm really a ble...

This is a continuation of my story of lessons learned since I suffered my brain injury.

Five years ago, I fell down the stairs, sustaining a brain injury that would change my life forever. This is my story of darkness, faith crisis, and lessons learned. Although I feel vulnerable sharing this, I know God has asked me to share! Also, less than a year before my accident, I started a blog entitled, "Pondering of a Mother's Heart." The script of this podcast is posted on my blog for thos...