The Stevenson Ohana

“A perfect body is not required to achieve a divine destiny. In fact, some of the sweetest spirits are housed in frail frames. Great spiritual strength is often developed by those with physical challenges precisely because they are challenged. Such individuals are entitled to all the blessings that God has in store for His faithful and obedient children.

“Eventually the time will come when each ‘spirit and … body shall be reunited again in … perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame’ (Alma 11:43). Then, thanks to the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can become perfected in Him.”

I'm not sure when this love started, but maybe its just always been there. When I was a kid, visiting the old folks homes was never a chore but something I loved. They were so funny and wise and made me laugh. When I got to junior high at West,  I signed up and became a candy-striper at Saint Alphonsus in Boise. I loved those years. I would walk across the street and spend many afternoons delivering the patients mail in the hospital and dismissing them when it was time to leave. I had this little stripe outfit that was pretty funny and cute and always had a smile on because there was something so satisfying about being there and making peoples day. 

When I got to high school, I wanted to do the EMT and CNA nursing assistant programs they offered. I went to night school to get the boring useless classes out of the way and then spend my senior year doing clinicals all over the valley in firetrucks, ambulances, the Veterans home, and other caregiving places in Boise shadowing, meeting, and seeing some of the coolest things and people around. I loved it and thought a career in helping people was something for me.

After some pretty bad stomach sicknesses and then my brain injury my love just intensified for those that are in pain, disabled and suffering. I cant quite explain in words the way I feel or love but it’s a good thing and so special helping and loving others. . . maybe because the line between us became closer and i realized that we are not all that different. Everyone in our own way needs love and help and are broken and defective. We all at times are limited, sick, and down. Some are more apparent and long-lasting than others, but regardless everyone feels better when they forget their own problems and love others and are not alone.

Man, I'm writing a lot. It feels good. I dont know why this topic and fascination is in my head but I really wanna study the brain more and learn lots about the human body. I've come across some great inspired quotes that make me feel good and a lot better to read than my ramblings probably.

“President Joseph Fielding Smith explained that ‘all spirits while in the pre-existence were perfect in form, having all their faculties and mental powers unimpaired. … Deformities in body and mind are … physical.’ (Answers to Gospel Questions, comp. Joseph Fielding Smith, Jr., 5 vols. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1979, 3:19.) Physical means ‘temporal’; temporal means ‘temporary.’ Spirits which are beautiful and innocent may be temporally restrained by physical impediments.

“If healing does not come in mortal life, it will come thereafter. Just as the gorgeous monarch butterfly emerges from a chrysalis, so will spirits emerge.”

—Boyd K. Packer

As we live on earth we must walk in faith, nothing doubting. When the journey becomes seemingly unbearable, we can take comfort in the word of the Lord: ‘I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold I will heal thee’ (2 Kings 20:5). Some of the healing may take place in another world. We may never know why some things happen in this life. The reason for some of our suffering is known only to the Lord.”

—James E. Faust

 Right now I have a pretty great job and get to hangout with some of the most pure boys and the funniest grandma in the whole world and get paid monies for it.

I feel really blessed, grateful, and inspired by them and have really enjoyed my job so much here in Hawaii. Yes, there are moments of struggle and when my patience is running low but for the most part I don’t feel like I have to “go to work” and just love my life and people who are in it and bless my life.

The organization my job is through is called North Shore Mental Health on Oahu. I have two autistic boys I get to hangout with full-time.  AND I also get to play with a great old lady with alzheimers that has become a grandma to me… she forgets my name on the daily but is one of my favorite people and someone I have really come to love.

Brian, Puuwai (which means heart is Hawaii and is the perfect name for him), and Grandma. They are so great and our bodies are all so great even with our own problems and kinks.