Sister Brittany Kucnick, Stake Primary President
This year has been challenging for many and refreshing for others. Many have enjoyed increased time with family while others have endured trials, unlike ones they have ever experienced before.
Just like for many of you, things were fairly normal for us until about mid-March when all my kids were suddenly doing school at home, and my job essentially stopped. However, I feel now that this was by divine design to prepare us for what was to come.
In April, we celebrated my birthday with my dad. My dad lived in town, and we visited each other often. He was a retired veteran who beat his first battle with cancer. Doing school at home made it safer for us to be around him despite his compromised immune system. However, we ended up getting sick a little while after my birthday, and so I told my dad we would not see him for two weeks just in case.
Two weeks passed, and we went to visit my dad. Something had changed, and the time away made it more obvious. The Spirit whispered to me that it was time to help my dad gets things in order, that his remaining time on Earth would be short. I felt overwhelmed about the reality of what was ahead. My dad did not feel this was the end, and I did all I could to get him help. Around this time, a friend posted on social media this quote from President Nelson, “With celestial sight, trials impossible to change become possible to endure.” I felt peace and God’s love.
Things continued to worsen as dad began to spend most of his time in the hospital, and he slowly began to accept where his declining health was leading. Despite multiple close calls, I saw miracles that allowed my dad to get a blessing, my brother and sister to get here in time, and for him to make it home on hospice, even if it was for less than 36 hours. My children were able to see him and say their goodbyes in person before he died that night.
Throughout this time, God put people in place within my life to help me, and I am so grateful for each of them. I still miss my dad, but I feel the comfort of the Spirit and the love of the Lord as I acknowledge His presence in the details of my life.
Akron Ohio Stake News 