Inspired

About 3 weeks ago I had the chance to hear Kitty de Ruyter-Bons speak.

 

She spoke at my mom's Stake Relief Society activity and it was amazing.  I was so happy that I was able to be there.  If you haven't heard of her, she is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and she grew up in what is now Indonesia.  Her family lived a wonderful, comfortable life until World War II.  It was then that her family was torn apart and put in concentration camps by the Japanese. Her story is absolutely amazing.  She spoke a lot about her mother and her courage, faith and love for others.  Her mother was amazing!  She never gave up hope and she always stood up for what's right even if it meant she would suffer being whipped, put in a pit for 2 weeks (it was so small she couldn't lie down), and having her hands slit open.  I can't even begin to tell you how her story has inspired me to be a better person.  But here are a few of my thoughts while listening to her story...

• Judge not that ye be not judged
• Never compromise your standards
• Always be prepared (her mother was inspired to build a shelter and fill it with food, clothes, medicine, etc.  Two months later they were held as prisoners in their home and they happened to be held in the one room that had the secret passage to this food storage.  This kept them alive and healthy)
• Never give up your virtue
• Be educated about other cultures
• Do unto others as you would have them do unto you
• You have to taste the bitter in order to appreciate the good
• Hate gets us no where and takes us far from God
• Use this time on Earth to prepare to meet our Maker
• The Lord does keep His promises
• Our life on Earth is a test and I am here to prove myself worthy of exaltation
• The Lord loves and cares for us. He performs miracles in our behalf
• We are so lucky to live in America.  She spoke about the American soldiers parachuting down into their concentration camp and literally saving their lives.  She has such a love for our country and our soldiers.  As do I!

Although her life in the concentration camp was filled with incredibly tough experiences, miracles also occurred.  It was clear that the Lord was with them through their trials.  Her mother was also amazing at following the promptings of the Spirit and continuing to be faithful in horrible situations.  Her mother had them get up early (so they wouldn't get caught by the guards) every morning to say their prayers and they did this faithfully every morning and night. Her mother was not a member of the church and Kitty didn't join until later in her life after she came to America. 

I think over all, her message reminded me that this life is my time to prove that I'm worthy of exaltation, and what am I doing each and everyday to prove that?!  Not enough, that is for sure. I believe it's in the little things, reading scriptures everyday, saying prayers morning and night, attending the temple, and serving others daily. I'm vowing to do better.

If you ever have the chance to hear Kitty speak, GO!  She also has a book called As I Have Loved You, which I believe tells her story.  So you could read that and be inspired too!