Today, we’re bringing you another thankful-themed Miracle Monday. This one is from Sister Edna Calabrese.

One of my very first experiences with the Lord was at age 15. I had many struggles, as most 15-year-olds do, and I had tested my parents to the point that they did not know what to do with me. I was angry most of the time.

I was in a gang of girls, and we bullied and partied; we owned the town of McKees Rocks, PA, at least we thought we did. I was confused and in over my head.

I got word that my cousin, Teresa, got baptized — and that threw me for a loop. We had grown up together, her in the country and me in the city. My husband teases us till this day that we were the Country Mouse and City Mouse.

Shortly after, I told my mom that I missed the singing of the saints, so she took me to church on Sunday. Looking back, I think I was searching for peace. With the overwhelming spirit of repentance, I asked for my baptism that day. Some said that it was the most peaceful baptism they ever attended. There are many more experiences in my testimony, but I want to focus on the first experience where the Lord talked to me.

Now, I had a lot of work ahead of me because I had to face my old life. Before I went back to school, I cut my hair short and decided that I was going to wear dresses. I wanted to be the opposite of who I was before. When I arrived at school, I shocked many of my peers. Of course, the old gang was not happy with me. I was bullied and taunted in the hallways. I could not go down into McKees Rocks anymore. One time I did go with my mom, and I was threatened.

I was starting to break and give up. I cried, “Lord, I want to do what is right. How do I know when I am sinning?” I then opened the scripture and looked upon Mosiah 4:29-30.

“And finally, I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin; For there are divers ways and means, even so many that I cannot number them. But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not.”

Wow, what a direct answer! I thought, “OK, the Lord is talking to me. He sees me, and He is directing me in what to do.” After that, I still went through a lot, but I knew the Lord was with me, and I could do and face anything.

This one experience led me to many blessings. I met my husband shortly after, and now I have a beautiful family that’s being raised in the church. I can also say I have celebrated 37 years baptized! He always provided a way for me and I was, and still am, never alone.

Miracle Monday Theme for December

Next month, we’re looking for testimonies and miracles that have to do with Christmas. Perhaps the Lord gave you a special blessing on a Christmas past, or maybe He provided for your family during this time. We’d love to hear your Christmas miracles. Click here to send yours.

Dare to Share Verse of the Day

Jacob 4:3 – We labor diligently to engraven these words upon plates, hoping that our beloved brethren and our children will receive them with thankful hearts, and look upon them that they may learn with joy and not with sorrow, neither with contempt, concerning their first parents.

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.