There are about 44 phonetic sounds in the English language. As a child, I could not articulate at least 38 of the phonetic sounds. No one could understand me. I have been told when I was 2 or 3, my mom said, “I’m sorry you didn’t get to meet your Grandpa Denning”. (He died 7 months before I was born.) I responded, “I did” and that was the first time anyone understood me. I started meeting with a Speech/Language Pathologist (SLP) when I was 4 year old to help me get ready for school. I remember one day looking in the mirror in the bathroom and said to myself, “Why is the world against me, I sound normal”. I met with a SLP all the way through elementary school, but refused to go once I hit 7th grade, middle school.

Growing up I always wanted to be a elementary school teacher. I would line up my stuff animals and dolls and proceeded to teach them. Whereas Ann would get the base of the blender and pretend to be a secretary, pushing buttons and answering her pretend phone.

My first couple of years at Ricks College (BYU-I), I had an introduction to elementary ed class. One assignment was to go to a local elementary school and observe a teacher. At that moment I realized that I could not teach 30 :1. My dream of being a teacher was gone. I didn’t know what I wanted to be at that moment.

Within a year, Ann had talked me into attending Stevens-Henager College, where I received a Secretarial Certificate. I was no good at shorthand or most other secretarial skills. The only skill I was good at was 10-keying.

When I was 21, I decided that I needed to serve a mission. I was called to the Mississippi Jackson Mission. It was a great experience for me and I am grateful that I chose to serve the Lord. While I was on my mission, I had a strong impression that I should become a SLP. I understood how hard it was to not be able to communicate my thoughts to others. I would still be able to work with children but in smaller groups. I finished my mission, then worked to earn money to go to BYU to become a Speech/Language Pathologist.

The first year, I worked as a janitor from 4 to 8 a.m. in the Law building, every morning. At the end of that year, I was so tired and started looking for another job. I was looking on the job board and saw a 10-key inputter at an accounting office on campus. I knew how to 10-key, so I applied and got the job. One of the accountants, asked what my major was and I told her I was going to become a Speech/Language Pathologist. She told me that I should date her cousin because he was a stutterer. I laughed it off because I was dating someone at the time. A few months later, I had broken up that guy. Shirley Paz came over to my desk and said, “my cousin is on the phone and would like to talk to you”. Shirley had called her cousin, Lance, and said, “a co-worker of mine would like to talk to you”. Lance and I talked and decide to go out on a double date with Shirley and her husband Ed. When I saw Lance for the first time, I said to myself, “I could like this one”. And that is how I met my husband.

As I look back on my life, I realize that we each have a plan. Our Heavenly Father sometimes gives us trials to make us stronger and to guide us on our path. People are placed in our lives to also direct us. Because of Ann, I learned the skill that led me to a job in college to meet a young lady that would be persistent on setting me up with her cousin. He is my love, my friend. He is my husband, the father of my children, my eternity, my forever.

People could say it was all a coincidence but I know my Heavenly Father is aware of me. He guided me and directed me  throughout my life. I am grateful for the tender mercies I have been given.