The Monster from my past

A lot of you know about my past & my traumatizing experience my sophomore year of high school and if you don't your about to find out. I want to start out saying that nobody deserves to be abused in anyway and those who think they have the power to abuse somebody need help. That's what I thought would help the one who abused me (counseling) . However I always knew he was dangerous and that he would continue to harm people. His punishment for what he did to me is not what I believe was enough but is there anything on this earth that is a punishment more terrifying then what is on the other side waiting for him? I don't believe so . Over the last ten years I have had to believe that but it always bothered me he was set free, I always knew he was dangerous and would harm others. Two weeks ago I met Ashlee. Ashlee is a beautiful & intelligent girl, But we didn't meet on the best of circumstances. We met because Ashlee also is a victim of this monster from my past. She recently got thrown by Brandon Sloper out of his truck that was going 65 mph.She was put in the hospital and she cant remember a lot of things and she was really banged up,nothing could hide her beauty though.

When I heard the news of what happenedI cried and felt for her so much. I did all I could to find Ashlee and let her know she's not alone and I would help her no matter what. I wish I had that when I was in pain and suffering but I truly believe there is a reason for everything and helping  Ashlee is what I am meant to do. 

This story of my past I am about to tell you is not meant for me to get pity or to hurt anybody. It is meant for people to understand what exactly it's like to go through something so heartbreaking and traumatic.

I was sixteen and so excited for high school. I had my best friend with me and we were going to have the time of our lives. The first part of sophomore year was so exciting. We had made new friends, skipped class to go to the mall, I was one of the first to drive so we all would take joy rides in my jeep, we had all the same classes with our group of friends, it was a blast. Brandon Sloper happened to be in our group of friends I instantly was drawn to him and wanted  so badly to be with him he to wanted to be with me. It was fun and exciting . His friend was dating my friend and we all were on top of the world. Three months into our relationship things started to change. I noticed he got mad about what I wore to school and who I talked to. He told me things that started to worry me. He told me he would do anything for me and never let me go no matter what. I know I know it sounds sweet right? That's what I thought too. He began to tell me that my best friends were always talking bad about me and turned me against them telling me not talk to them. One day after school I went to Brandon's house. Nobody was there but the two of us, I told Brandon I was going with my friend tanning that night. Brandon got silent and told me to get out of the house ,as I got in my car he came and ripped the keys out of my hand and told me to get in the house .We went to his room and he wrapped his hands around my neck ,holding me down and making it so I couldn't breath. I kept thinking I am going to die !why is he doing this?" he told me if I ever go out with my friends ever again he would kill himself and me. I kept trying to gain the strength to breakthrough and run out the door . He finally let me go but he chased me to the door and locked it and begged me to forgive him. I did and he than would want to have sex and I finally gave in. I was then so attached. 

I became sexually active with him but than he wanted to do things I was not comfortable with and it then felt like he was forcing me to or he would hurt me. He became rough ,violent and scary. One night he was so rough and so demanding ,he begged me to say and do things that I didn't want to do. After we were done I knew why. His friend was in the closet taping the whole thing. I felt so violated and disgusted they were laughing about it joking that it was his friends turn. I went home and just cried in the shower. I threatened to leave him and he reminded me if I did he would show everybody the tape and he had this iron rod he hit me with every time I said or did something he didn't like. Each time he hit me he would tell me he was sorry and would say "I am sorry but you made me do this" or "If you tell anybody I will hurt your little sister and nieces" 

I felt trapped and I had nobody to turn to. I tried telling my friends and they would tell me to get away from him but as I stayed with him they were frustrated that I wasn't getting away from him and would not talk to me anymore.I felt it was me against Brandon and my friends. He told me he wanted to kill two of my friends and put them in trash bags. He told me my family didn't want me and they were ashamed of me. As stupid as this all sounds I believed every little bit of it. Brandon had taken so much from me that I felt like his slave and he owned me. The hitting and punching became a daily thing , the sex became violent and forceful. We were coming home from school one day and he found a note a guy had wrote me from school saying he would like to take me to the dance. He yelled and went crazy  in the car than smashed my head against the dashboard and when we got to my house he grabbed me by my hair told me not to tell anybody then pushed me out of the car as he was backing up. My family knew I had changed but I could not say a thing. I wanted to so bad but day by day he took everything I had. I was no longer living in a free world I was living my life as a slave to Brandon Sloper. The following day he punched me so hard in the chest for not calling him when I was supposed to that he permanently dislocated my chest bone close to my heart.The doctor says he cant do surgery to remove it because it's so close to my heart I wouldn't make it.

I became numb to the hitting and numb to the rape. I had found out I was pregnant and went to his house to tell him . He said to me "well we are not keeping the bastard in fact you are getting an abortion" I denied that and told him I was going to have the baby. He than did something so scary that I peed my pants as he was doing it . He held a knife to my neck and "threatened to kill me" for some reason I couldn't give him this not this , this was not the babies fault , this was one thing I was not going to let him control. After that it was a blur. He kicked me, punched me, pushed me down the stairs ,hit me with the rod numerous times and I lost so much blood. I left his house in the worse pain ever ,I couldn't see strait ,I couldn't breath and I still was bleeding. I drove to a park and literally passed out in my car. I had miscarried. He called me and I would not answer so he waited for me to show up at my house and when I got home he forced me to get in his car. He told me if I told anybody he would tell them it was both of our ideas and we didn't want the baby , he said he would tell my family I was in on it. I kept that secret til I was 23 years old because I felt shame. I felt I was responsible because I could not get away.

After that Brandon became distant and I felt like I only had him so my life became miserable. he would play games and tell me he was out with other girls and he would call me when he wanted me, I wasn't allowed to call him, he made all the rules. My friend Danielle called me one night and wanted me to go out with her and these guys. I thought well why not go out and see how it is since Brandon was clearly occupied.I thought it would be good for me to get out. Right when Danielle showed up at my house Brandon and his friends showed up right after. Danielle was mad they showed up and told me I planned it. I had no idea he would showed up. It was one of his rules, if he showed up at my house I had to be ready and drop everything to go with him. Danielle made me tell him what we had planned and after that he threw me in the truck and slammed my head on the dashboard we were yelling and screaming then he told me to get out but I was dizzy and couldn't see strait. I didn't get out fast enough for him so he got out and dragged me out by the hair. He then punched me and threw me to the ground. He then drove off and threw a bottle at my head calling me names. Danielle looked at me and said "you deserved all of that. You lied to him and me." I could not believe this girl who claimed she was my friend was defending domestic violence.

When I went in to my house I told my parents and they called the cops. It felt so good telling my parents but I still was so worried about what would happen after that.I was so attached and felt like I was his because he had taken so much from me that I wanted to go see him at the police station. Even after all that Brandon did to me I still loved him . I now see it wasn't love it was me feeling empty and falling victim to his abuse. After that I would not go out of the house I was depressed and had been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder. I didn't feel safe and I felt like I was a nobody, I felt like I was the monster because my friends were still friends with him, Clearfield high did nothing about it. He was still free to go to school and live a normal life. I had to drop out because I was so scared of going back. 

That following year I had to take Brandon to court. My friends all had to testify about what they saw in the hall when Brandon took me by my rib cage and slammed me against the locker. They all saw what happened. In court I became so upset seeing friend after friend get on the stand and lie to protect him. That was so hard and so hurtful. My friend who came with me to court as support turned on me the next day and wrote me all these hurtful things to me on one of the peoples phones who testified the previous day. I felt so alone and so hopeless. Brandon received probation,anger management classes, and a protective order saying he couldn't come near me til I was 18. He got away with so much. I never wanted revenge I simply wanted him to get help so this wouldn't happen to anybody else and yes I think him being  in jail would have helped. Unfortunately because my friends and his friends lied as they testified  for him , and him not getting the proper punishment Ashlee had to suffer as well. This monster murdered my baby and attempted to murder Ashlee . This monster should be locked up. 

I still accomplished my dreams though, I do hair,I went to a private school and got my diploma,I have amazing friends who I can trust,I married an amazing man in the slc temple and have been with him for 4 years. He truly is my answer to all my prayers. I am so happy and I want this for all woman who have fallen victim to abuse. I want them to know there is a way out I also want people ,especially young people to know how to handle a situation like this if their friend is ever a victim of domestic violence. So they know how to be there and understand. I am going to testify and help Ashlee and I am not scared at all I now have the courage to stand up to him. Ashlee and I  have became close friends and together I believe we can help people. I have always wanted to go around to high schools and jr. highs and let these kids know how to get out of bad relationships and how to help their friends. Its finally came true me and ashlee are going to start doing Assemblies soon.I now feel in control and free. I blame my friends and his friends just as much as I blame Brandon for what has happened to me and Ashlee , they helped set this monster free.They knew how dangerous he was and still backed him up.

I am at peace in my life now. I slowly over the years put myself all  back together again and have grown tremendously from this lifeless girl into this full of life confident woman. I want this so much for Ashlee and all other victims. We are strong survivors who together can make a big difference

Definition

• Domestic Violence is a pattern of coercive behavior characterized by the domination and control of one person over another person, usually and intimate partner, through physical, psychological, emotional, verbal, sexual, and or economic abuse.

Facts

• 1 OUT EVERY 4 American women report that they have been physically abused by a husband or boyfriend.
• Every 15 seconds a woman is battered in the United States by her boyfriend, husband, or live in partner.
• Women are 85 – 95% of the victims of intimate violence.
• At least 25% of domestic violence victims are pregnant when beaten.
• At least 3.3 Million children between the ages of 13 and 19 are at risk of exposure to parental violence each year
• Between 50 – 70% of men who abuse their female partners also abuse their children
• One third of high school and college students experience violence in an intimate relationship during their dating years.

Who are the victims?

• Statistically, most victims are women.
• 85 – 90% are women
• Children can be direct or indirect victims.
• They may be abused
• They may be forced to see a parent abused.
• The abuser may threaten them as a means of control
• Teenagers experience dating violence.
• Can occur in gay and lesbian relationships.
• Elderly and people with disabilities.
• Co-workers

Who are the abusers?

• Abusers typically
• Deny the abuse has occurred or make light of the violence.
• Blame the victim, or other people outside the event
• Abusers do not act because they are out of control.
• Abusers choose to respond to a situation with violence.
• They are not acting out of pure anger.
• They are not reacting to stress.
• Abuse is a learned behavior.

How to help a friend, who is a victim.

• Bring up the subject
• Don’t be afraid to let your friend know your concerns.
• Say that you can see what is happening.
• Let your friend know that they are in a difficult and scary situation.
• Let them know that it is not their fault
• Encourage your friend to express their feeling of hurt and anger.
• Remind your friend that the abuser is 100% responsible.
• It may be difficult for your friend to talk about the situation.
• Don’t buy into your friends denials.
• If your friend denies that it is a dangerous situation. Let them know that you believe that it is serious and dangerous.
• Provide your friend with reading material about domestic violence.
• Go with your friend to when they receive medical treatment, to the police, to court, or to see a lawyer.
• Help your friend develop a safe plan.
• Make sure that the plan puts safety first.
• If you are a victim, let people that care about you know.
• Confide in someone you trust.
• Do not let friends talk you into something that does not feel right. Make your own decisions.
• Leave an emergency kit with a friend.
• Ask a friend to go with you to important appointments.
• Make sure friends know your safety plan.

ChrIstMaS bELLs & a NeW yEar Of TruE BLiSS

Dear old St. Nick  sure did bring us a lot this year. A little to much I would say, but who's complaining. My husband spoiled me & delivered a very nice Christmas. We were very blessed this year. We do love the presents but we love the spirit of Christmas as well. We of course went to the forgotten carols which always puts us in the Christmas Spirit. If you have not been , get tickets for next year it's worth the monay!! We got a lot of family surprises as well and we are excited for whats to come. 

 New Years was fun for us we went to a nice dinner & Ice skating with friends and had a blast. We are ready to say goodbye to 2011 it was a bitter/sweet year & a very tough year. 

We both have made goals to make sure 2012 is not a repeat. 2011 was not all bad we made new friends ,our brother & his wife had a baby, we grew up just a little more, we got to spend more time with the Burke side of the family, I went through a huge change and had a chance to give up something that was taring apart my life and my future of having any blessings, I overcame something very hard and became that much stronger, my husband won awards at work for a project he worked very hard for and was well deserved  I am so proud of him and love him so much. I don't really know what's to come this year but we are not going to stress about it we are just going to live one day at a time to the best we can. We have made a goal to make this a fun,worry free, hopeful year if that makes sense :)!! Happy New years everybody

HaPpY aNnIvErsArY

First of all I just want to start off by saying I truly do have thee best husband EVER!!! Its been three years of true bliss. This year was our 3 year anniversary. My how the time has traveled. We didn't do much this year because our little guy was sick ,Jax had an eye infection & we just couldn't find it in our hearts to leave him at my mom's ,we wanted to be with him. So Greg booked us a room at the Salt Lake Marriot thee same room we stayed in on the night of our wedding night. It was the perfect view of the temple and they allowed pets. This room was so nice and I was surprised he remembered the room!! I forgot my camera so we didn't take pictures I was bummed but it is what it is!!!We went & ate at Cheesecake factory,shopped & went ice skating!! It truly is the small things that count. 

Three years ago on November 21, 2008 I was cealed to my best friend in the Salt Lake temple. I remember being late me & my mom were rushing & I was so sad I had forgotten my bouquet of flowers for the pictures but could hardly think about that. I was to nervous thinking about inside the temple & seeing Greg. We got there and Greg,his friend& best man Robert were waiting along with his dad. I was crying because I thought we missed our session. When I walked in Greg had a huge smile & wasn't mad he just hugged me & said let's go get married. We had made it in time.I than got worried thinking I wouldn't be able to wear my wedding dress in the temple because it had so many jewels on it but again was relieved I could. I remember when we finally got to the cealing room & seeing all our family waiting for us. This is when I began to shake and get nervous, but yet when I looked at Greg I got this calm feeling come over me. His smile can change any mood to a happy mood. As I had gotten done after the ceiling freshening up to go outside and see our friends & family I couldn't find my husband ,he had gotten lost ha ha. As we walked out to greet our friends & family they wanted to see a kiss so Greg dipped me and gave me the biggest kiss EVER. It was great but he had ripped my veil off of my head ha ha my sister Jaime & my niece Payton ran up to fix it. Everybody kept laughing.This day was such a happy day & I was in true bliss. I didn't even care that I didn't have my bouquet for pictures. I will always remember those feelings of that magical day!! I love my husband so much . He takes care of me, his smile just blows me away, he protects me & helps me choose right from wrong, he is honest he always tells me when I'm wrong even if I get mad about it, He never bad mouths anybody, he is such a hard worker, we can laugh about anything, he's always first to say sorry, and there's so much more I can go on about! I am such a lucky girl to have him as my companion,best friend,the love of my life & my eternal companion. Can not wait for the next years to our eternity.

cRaFtS wItH mOm

A few weeks ago my ward had a freaky friday event making crafts. I decided to invite my mom! We made temple pictures & had yummy food. I am so happy my mom was there because I am not good on my own making these crafts she always knows what to do I am sure if I tried it by myself I could do it but why do that when I can invite my mom to make something for her & have some bonding time. The crafts turned out well & I am so happy we went.

KaTeE'S bAbY sHowER

Our sister in law Katee just had her baby!!! her name is Lucy Ky Payne & she is adorable I do not have pics of her yet & when I get permission I will post them  ,however I do have pics of the baby shower we threw her back on August 20th .Me my mom & sisters threw her a princess baby shower & it turned out super cute. It was soooooo much fun & she deserved it all. Katee we love you!!!

~catch up~

I am trying to get back into this blogger thing I have been super busy & a lot has been going on. I use to blog all the time so I have been slacking!! So let's get started with the hubs & I ....We are doing so good, he works so much so I value my time with him when we have it. I am so thankful for having him for eternity.

 As you all already know back in May I accomplished something very important to me that I never thought I could get through but I am so happy I stuck with it. Some things are going on that Greg & I are setting our minds on & hope for the best we would really like to start a family when that will be who knows but we are very happy right now, no rush at all. I use to stress about it & think how fair is it that these 16 year old girls get pregnant on accident but when I want a baby so bad we can't get pregnant? I do not have a lot of patience so I am always being tested by the lord with that it gets so irritating but I have to have faith, I always think back to my patriarchal blessing and it says my husband & I  would be blessed with children so I am holding on to that!! All I know is that when we do have our baby we will be more than ready we have grown a lot & have had to put selfishness aside I use to care so much about myself how I looked, what people thought of me, always having my way......well 2 yrs later and I havn't changed completely but have changed a lot.

 My priorities in life our first the lord which means obeying his commandments going to church each week,prayer & scripture,dressing modestly,respect my husband,humbling myself & attending the temple! than comes my husband who I need to cherish & have respect for as he for I. I look at a lot of couples & think  WOW I have so much respect for my husband & the lord to ever go out in public wearing things like that or to ever participate in things that married woman just don't do especially yell & put down my husband , it really amazes me how many woman I see taking their husbands for grandet. When I married Greg in the temple I made myself a promise that through my actions I would show him respect,faithfulness,love & happiness. To me that meant something really special being able to be in the house of the lord with my eternal companion ,best friend, & the love of my life I commited to him to be his & his only!!! Anyways this blog is all over the place I just had so many things on my mind &!Hopefully I'll be able to keep on the blog thing again.

gReG'S 25TH B-DAY

So it's been almost a month since my husband had his 25th birthday & I finally get a chance to blog about how we celebrated. First of all I just want to say how jmuch I love this man he is truly THEE most AMAZNG man I know or have ever known. I know I say that alot and so do other girls about their husbands but after being through what I have been through I really mean that he truly is thee most amazing man. I never once in my life thought I deserved what he has given me but he has shown me how to love & trust again & he treats me like a princess. He is very honest especially with me he never bs's me, he works so hard to make our family comfortable, he is very affectionate & just as thankful for me as I am for him. For his birthday I rented a condo up at Wolf Creek & made sure it had a grill because Greg loves the bbqer and we wanted to have nice steaks potatoes & asparagus. The condo was so nice , we for sure needed some time away. Greg loved it and so did I. every year for Greg's birthday I post what I love about him for how ever old he is  so I want to name my  25 reasons I love my man!!!

1. He makes me laugh ALWAYS

2. He has good standards & morals

3. He loves me just as much as I love him

4. He is a hard dedicated worker

5. he is as honest as they come

6. he laughs at all the stupid things I laugh at

7. he has thee cutest smile & laugh

8. his eyes are so kind they just are so pretty

9. he is oh so fine

10. he loves kids just as much as me

11. he isnt ashamed to do stupid things with me for a good laugh

12. he believes in me

13. he supports me with everything I decide to do.

14. he loves me unconditionaly

15. he gives me surprises out of nowhere

16. he would drop anything to help  those he loves

17. he is so cute with our sunbeams he is such a good teacher

18. he has helped me through the hardest times 

19. he holds me everytime I cry even if its over stupid petty stuff

20. he always wants to protect me from people he thinks are untrustworthy

21. he gives me hope for things I want so badly 

22. he is very spiritual

23. he is dedicated to the church & doesnt give in to spending on sunday

24. he is an amazing singer & he sings to me every night

25. he is everything to me & no guy has ever even compared to him , being married to him makes me forget all the losers in my past they will never hold a candle to my gregory I love him

35 YRS OF TRUE LOVE

Today is my parents 35th anniversary!!! I love them so much.  They truly love each other & have been such great examples to us kids. They would drop anything & everything to help each one of us when we need them. All us kids & our spouses took them out to dinner last night & my parents are just so cute we gave them our gift & than they gave each other their gifts to each other & it was just the sweetest thing in the world. I would like to thank my AMAZING parents for what they have tought me & for all they have helped gotten me through, raising us five kids I am sure was not the easiest thing especially when 4 of us are girls & I have got to give them credit because they did so good with each & every one of us & I hope when I have kids me & Greg will take alot of what we have learned  & use it with our parenting skills. I love my parents so much ,they are so cute together & as I am writing this I can't help but have tears come to my eyes to know how happy they are & how they have made it 35 years of true love. I love you mom & dad thank you for everything.

A late update on our little man!!!

As some of you know Jax was very sick back in December. He was down to 2 1/2 pounds, which his usual weight is between 3 1/2 and four!!! He was very dehydrated & throwing up CONSTANTLY we took him to the doctor & found out he was very dehydrated & needed two 8 hour days of being hooked to an IV to get re hydrated. They found blood in his urine & had to have a special ultra sound person come in to look at his kidneys because he was so small. Sure enough our Baby boy had a kidney infection, his doctor said kidney infections in small male dogs are very uncommon & most likely they won't make it. As you can  imagine I was a total wreck for days.Besides Greg, Jax has been my constant companion for 2 yrs. Greg got him for me specifically because we were moving to n.Carolina summer of 2009 for Greg's job  & knew I needed a puppy so I didn't get lonely while Greg was at work. Sure enough the day we brought him home he was a total mamma's boy!!! we go everywhere together & people come up & give him attention which he loves,We cuddle, play,& he loves me no matter if I am sad,angry or happy.

So the doctor gave us some meds for him to take for one month to see if the kidney infection would go away. After he was re hydrated he stopped throwing up. For a the whole month I was worried sick but prayed he would be ok. I don't have a baby yet but right now Jax is my baby & I know I will love my kids the exact same way & be just as worried & paranoid. We took him in after a month of worrying, & forcing him to take nasty meds every day & they took a urine sample & turns out our prayers had been answered The infection was gone & he was back to his healthy weight & perfectly healthy. He is back to play fighting with Greg, jumping high in the air excited to see us when we get home & playing with his toys!!! We love him so much & even Greg was upset during that month, well that & he didn't want to see his wife have a complete meltdown. I love my boys so much & they will always be the two most important priorities in life well I am sure I will add our baby to that list when that day comes!!!

TaKiNg RoLL w-The SuNbEaMs

Since Greg & I have been teaching the sunbeams we have been having so much fun. They are so cute &  their personalities are exhausting but so refreshing!!! In Primary we have the youngest class so we sit right in front they are new too In January they all just came out of nursery!!! Greg is usually at one end of the seats with all the boys crawling all over him yanking his tie & my husband being thee most patient, tolerant & lovable man he is just sits there and smiles!!! I am on the other side of the seats making sure the kids don't run to the back  while I usually end up getting up & chasing them in my 5 & 1/2 inch heels to get them to stay in their seats, while all the little girls fight to sit on my lap! By the end of Primary Greg & I are already WORN OUT!! I guess 8 little 3 year olds will do that to you. When we leave class we make sure all our sunbeams fold their arms & follow in a line behind Greg!!  surprisingly this works. When we get into class they all scream TREATS!!! because they know their new teacher's have a little colorful bucket  & that it is the TREAT BUCKET!! We try to bring treats each week so far we started w-candy BAD IDEA than rice crispy treats & usually little kids wouldn't mind getting food & candy stuck to their clothes  but we have two little twin girls that are always dressed to the tee like little beauty pageant girls!! they both  got very upset that rice crispy treats got stuck to their ugg boots so that day us three spent most of our time scrubbing the rice crispy treats off their shoes.So back to what I was saying. this week we took chocolate chip cookies & that was a bad idea too so I think next week we will do CARROTS ha ha. At the first of class we have them jump up & down & get their wiggles out!! unfortunately this doesn't work. This last Sunday I got the roll out & Greg yelled ok guys let's take ROLL!! All of the sudden 3 of the little boys screamed ROLL & started rolling on the ground!!! oh if I only was allowed a camera!! ha ha. that's only one of the funniest things they do that has Greg & I laughing til we cry!!! Usually by the end of class as we are all waiting for their parents to come get them I am picking up treats all over the floor,loose head bends,loose ties,loose shoes & loose jackets !!! So excited for yet another eventful Sunday with our SUNBEAMS!!!

tHE tAlK i waS dReAdINg ThAt TurnEd OuT WeLL

Greg & I finally talked in sacrament today & I would like to share my talk with all of you! I am sure most of the stuff some of u have already heard. Our talks were on the Holy Ghost it started with me

"Good Morning brothers & sisters, for those of you who don't know us,we are the Burke's. I am Katie & this is my husband Gregory.We have been married for two years & got married in the salt lake temple November 21,2008!!! I grew up in Northern, Utah & Greg grew up in Colorado!!

We are here this morning,speaking by pure accident. About two weeks ago, u may have noticed us on the stand,ready to give our talks. Then as quickly as we came,we were gone. Before living here Greg & I lived in his parents house in Elk Ridge, while they surved their mission in Santiago, Chili, they are now home.On Wednesday ,two weeks ago. I recieved a phone call from a member of the bishopric. He said "Sister Burke, is it ok if you & your husband talk in sacrament this sunday ? your husband said it would be fine?" I said sure thinking Greg had already accepted. I was feeling really nervous because we had just been called to teach the sunbeams in prymary the sunday before and than asked to speak in sacrament the very next Sunday .WOW

When I asked Greg about speaking, he said hadn't heard anything about it, but sure, that would be fine. When we came to church, the bishopric was very surprised to see us on the stand. The hurried over & apoligized & said they must have not  cordinated  very well. They than asked us to speak today, so here we are. After some looking into the situation more, we found that it wasn't their fault or lack of cordination at all. The clerk in the other ward in Elk Ridge still had our phone number & called to confirm the speakers for their meeting. The "sister Burke" he was trying to reach was my mother in law but he got this "Sister Burke"

The topic they were assigned was exactly what we had been asked to talk on. Imagine that. Today I would like to talk about how the the Holy Ghost guides me in my life.In John 14:16,26 Jesus promises the members od the church who loved him,depended on him, and followed him,right before he left them "I will pray the father,and he shall give you another comforter that he may abide with you forever ...The comforter is the Holy Ghost.

Because our heavenly father and Jesus loves each of us too, that promise is ours also. The Holy Ghost, the third member of the Godhead is our comforter,teach, & guide. Our constant companion if we live worthily.

I would like to tell u a story of how the Holy Ghost guided me personally in my life. About 3 yrs ago I decided, because of past experiences, I was not going to date anymore I decided to put all my effort into hair school at Taylor Andrews. I had experienced a lot of frogs & toads , hoping someday I would find my prince. I had come to the conclusion that my prince had been killed slaying dragons.

One day while social networking, I recieved an invitation to a barbeque from a friend of a friend. I said I would go but as the day came I decided not to go. This friend of the friend contacted me & said he was sad that I had missed his party. This started a long string of text messaging,phone calls & Facebook contacts. This was in April of 2008!! As our conversations continued this guy told me he would be leaving to Philidelphia for summer work so unfortunately we did not get to meet & go on a date before he left, but he told me he would like to still continue our phone calls & texts.

I had been studying the scriptures and praying a lot, not necessarily for a man or anything, just to improve my relationship with Heavenly Father. Our phone dating continued  & I started feeling like I had known this guy all my life. I was comfortable being myself with him,telling him everything about me & my life. He was like no guy I had ever met before. I had never felt this way about anyone else in my life before. I know now, that the feelings I felt were from Heavenly Father through the Holy Ghost. I felt like it was the beginning to my life & forever happy.

Time went on and in June, Greg & I decided we should meet in person. So after talking to my parents along with Greg talking to my parents & getting their approval to let their 21 year old daughter fly across the country. I boarded a plane to Philidelphia , at Gregs expense of course. I was really nervous  & excited at the same time. I kept praying & asking heavenly father to help me & guide me.

As I entered the airport I looked all around & all of the sudden I saw Greg, holding a bouquet of roses & smiling . Happy tears just filled my eyes & I got that tingling feeling which was the Holy Ghost.The calmness I had been praying for came. Everything went very well.

When I came home we continued our phone dating & continued to get closer. We read the scriptures together  & prayed together over the phone.August came & Greg finished his work & he came back home. We were able to start going on actual dates & seeing each other almost everyday. Greg proposed to me on September 19,2008 & we were married November 21,2008 in the SLC temple. My forever began that day & my journey with my eternal companion was the perfect fairytale. Turned out my prince had had survived the dragons. I know that the Holy Ghost guided me & helped me with finding my eternal companion & confirming my decision to marry this Amazing man.

When we were babtized & confirmed we were all given the gift of the holy ghost. If we keep the Commandments & live the gospel teachings,we will have that gift from our heavenly father & Jesus, the Holy Ghost as our companion, comforter & guide.

I would like to bare my testimony that I know this church is true I am so thankful for the holy ghost in my life & that I was able to be sealed to my eternal compian for all eternity. I truly have the perfect husband. He is my prince charming & Not one day goes by that I do not thank my heavenly father for blessing me with this Amazing man. I am thankful for my parents & family & for all the support & help they give us. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen"

LoVeRs DaY-Valentines day 2011

I love Valentines day . This year I went a little crazy with decorations but Greg was ok with it & I love our cute little home :)