remembering Max: meeting Elder Cook

telling the story of Max's birth really begins the day before he was born.

it was a beautiful Sunday here in the bay area. i was huge. and achy. and did i say huge? i had just had my final dr. appointment on Friday... i measured 43 weeks (i really was 37), and boy did i look it. proof:

that Sunday, i was sure that i'd have measured 45 weeks if i went in that day. i don't know how things and fluid wasn't leaking out of everywhere. but it wasn't. i just kept waddling along.

as i mentioned a few posts ago, we were having a special Stake Conference where Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles was supposed to come and address our stake on that Sunday. Elder Perry came down ill, so we got to hear from Elder Quentin L Cook instead -- which was still super amazing. like i said before, i had never been in such an intimate setting with an apostle before, so it was a very touching, special experience.

{i love the Oakland temple/temple hill! (where we get to meet for our Stake Conferences). it is one of my very favorite places on earth}

but what was even more touching was that we got to meet Elder Cook. in fact, i sat right across from him, with M, his brother, and our girls -- and we ate lunch together! we talked about iPhone apps (hilarious!), the Provo temple, missions, branches in Cuba (mi tierra!), Disneyland (you can see where my priorities are), his grandchildren, and about Max. we told him about our situation with Max, and that he would be born the following day. he asked us simple, yet concerned questions. he was compassionate, and asked us if he could speak to us privately after the luncheon. heck yes we would! you don't have to ask me twice!!

and so, after a Q & A meeting, we got to go into a small room with our close family members (including my mom, M's parents, his brother Jeff, and his grandparents) and talk with Elder Cook. he addressed M and i -- talked to us for a few minutes, and then requested to give me a blessing. it was a sacred experience -- one that i won't elaborate too much on because it is too precious. but i feel like i can honestly say that i know he is a special witness of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. i know he knows them personally - and i felt heaven so very near in those moments of my blessing. it was incredible, tangible, and real; and brings tears to my eyes to even think about it. i know that the power of the Priesthood is real -- and i know that the blessing was and continues to be an anchor to our family through this whole journey. i am so incredibly grateful to my Heavenly Father for this experience -- which was a true tender mercy given to us. i've always felt like He knows me and loves me, but since that day, i feel like i can truly, confidently say that He is acutely aware of every aspect of our lives. He cares about the things we care about. He knows what burdens us. He wants us to be happy. He wants us to be like Him. what a perfect Father He is.

after the blessing, i felt armed with strength and confidence like never before. i wasn't afraid. i knew more than ever that God was in control. i hugged Elder Cook, and told him that i'd treasure that day for the rest of my life. and i truly will! what a remarkably memorable experience for my little family - and what immaculate timing to be so empowered before Max's arrival. God is so aware of us all, of this i am certain.

xoxo