When Lance and I started teaching the 11-12 year old Sunday School class in our ward, we were told about a special member of our class. She always sat on the floor. She drew in her coloring books when she stayed in the class, but as time went on, she wanted to leave class more and more. Most of the time she wanted me to go with her to the bathroom, to the drinking fountain, or outside for some air. Then she started leaving a lot, so that Lance would take over if I was in the middle of teaching so I could go with her. I wished I could help her stay in class, but she didn't like that suggestion, and she didn't really like me! So I prayed that I would be able to really love her, and that she would be able to feel it.
When Lance and I were released from primary, I was called as the Beehive leader. I would still be working with my little friend, just during Young Women's instead of Sunday School. The whole Young Women's presidency and all the advisors had been changed and when we all went to YW for the first time, my little friend peaked her head in and didn't see anyone she recognized - except me. She came over and set up her coloring books and stuffed animals next to my chair. She wanted to sit on my lap and give me a hug. I was surprised that she actually wanted to hug me and talk to me, but grateful.
At mutual she stayed very close to me the whole night. The next Sunday she was excited to see me. A few weeks down the road, she said she wanted to talk to me "one-on-one." She said she wanted to get to know me better because felt like she could trust me. That night I realized that just how sweet and incredible she is. At church, she stayed in class the whole time because I was coloring with her. She told me what colors to use, and pointed where to color, and had a great time telling me what to do.
Last Sunday I spent a lot of time outside with her. She wanted me to help her pick berries from a the fern plants. We talked about Heavenly Father's love and fasting (it was fast Sunday) and how if she could fast for anything she wanted, it would be food. She's always eating.
Wednesday was Young Women's in excellence. Afterward, I walked in to the gym for refreshments, and she ran to me and jumped on me! "Sister Dyer! I just love you so much." She had a huge smile. She wanted to get cupcakes with me. Later on that night she said, "I can't believe I didn't like you before! I just love you so much now. I can't get enough!" I said, "I know you didn't like me in primary - what happened?" she said, "I don't know!"
We ran a couple laps around the church then packed up all her stuffed animals. She loves being outside.
Today I taught the lesson in Beehives, so I told my little friend I wouldn't be able to go outside with her at all. I wasn't sure how things would go, but another leader went with her to get a drink and go to the bathroom. Other than those two trips, she stayed in class the whole time. She wanted to hear my lesson, I was told me afterward. I am in awe! She never stays in class the whole time.
The Lord has blessed me with a special relationship with one of His precious children, and I am very undeserving. She told me today that she was in a terrible mood and only came to church because I would be there. What have I done to deserve the love of this little girl? I didn't do very much. Now she's my little friend and I really do love her. I kept praying to be able to love her, but it just took a little patience and time. My experiences with her have shown me how amazing Heavenly Father's love really is. It's a lot easier for me to love her now that she loves me, but Heavenly Father loves all his children, even those who do not love Him. How thankful I am for Heavenly Father's love.
