On Thursday, September 4th, I was folding laundry in my room when all of a sudden I felt so much anxiety, my heart started pounding and had goosebumps all over my body. It is very difficult to explain what I felt, but I felt the urgent need to pray for Parker. I quickly got on my knees right by my bed and started to pray that he would be protected and that would not be hurt in any way. I was going crazy not knowing what was going on with him in Argentina, but I thought that if I did not get a call from the mission office then everything was going to be fine. I decided that the best thing to do was to have faith that the Lord would protect him. I went back to finish the laundry and continued with my busy day. I was worried but the anxious feeling I had went away. On Sunday, I wrote him his email and this is what I said to him;
"So you know, I (mom) was in my room last week (Thursday) and all of a sudden I had this strong feeling I needed to pray for your safety, it was very strong. So I obviously did. I don't know what was going on over in Gualeguaychu but I was obedient and prayed for you. So PLEASE be careful!!! Don't give me a heart attack!!!"
This is what Parker said:
"On Thursday my handlebars broke. Literally broke, it was dangerous to ride the bike like that. It took us a while to notice it though. So we went and fixed those."
After reading what he said, I thought about what happened. I am so thankful to have had this experience that strengthened my testimony of the Holy Ghost. I know that he is real and is there to warn us when we are in danger. Brent said to me that this was more for me than it was for Parker. It was for me because Parker did not even notice for a while that his handle bar was broken and I wonder that if it was at that time while he was riding it without knowing it that I was praying that he would be safe, and he was at that time protected long enough to get it fixed. It was a test for me to see if I would listen and was obedient to the prompting and quickly get on my knees and pray for his safety. What Brent said made sense. Heavenly Father wants me to know that He is taking care of Parker, and that for me it is important to do what is right to have the Holy Ghost with me, to guide me and to comfort me while he is on his mission. It is not easy having a child on a mission, you worry so much about them. I worried about Alison and now Parker!! I am so thankful for this experience. I am so thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who answers our prayers. I am thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ who knows me and understands me.
