September 8th, 2011 by admin
Snapshot Portrait: Aileen Reilly
The hardest choice I’ve made in my life was when…
I made the decision to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One of the happiest days of my life — when I felt I was doing exactly as my Heavenly Father wished — my husband called one of the “worst days” of his life. I knew by making my choice for baptism that I would cause tension within my family. My prayer is that the tension is not insurmountable.
Our Sundays are now altered. He and our four children spend an hour at our local Catholic church, and upon their return, I leave for my three hour block at the local LDS ward. Come home, and it’s dinner time. Once in a while, some of the children will come with me; other times, I will accompany them to mass. It is not easy, and at times I feel as if I have thrown a huge wrench into the midst of our family life.
When I stood at the threshold, prior to my baptism into the LDS faith, I knew that troubles were ahead, but I had a very strong feeling that all would be okay. That, as a family, we would figure out how to make this work. I simply could no longer live in that place where constant peace — what I knew to be the Holy Spirit — was not accessible to me. I felt the Spirit whenever I attended Sacrament Meeting, whenever I listened to General Conference talks, whenever I read the Book of Mormon, whenever I was in the homes of my LDS friends. I wanted that constant companionship. Baptism and confirmation gave that to me.
Faith is important in my life, and it always has been. I was raised Catholic and received all the Catholic sacraments for which I was eligible. My husband and I were married in the Catholic Church and all of our children have been baptized into the Catholic faith.
But now, for the first time in 42 years, I have a personal relationship with my Heavenly Father. This came to me as a result of my baptism into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For the first time in my life, I know I have a Father who loves me and who cares for me and who only wants the best for me.
Some may say that because families are paramount in the LDS religion, perhaps I did not act in the best interest of my family by rejecting our Catholic faith and by joining the LDS Church. It is my prayer that I may lead through example and through my LDS faith to be for my family the best mother and best wife possible. I know this is what Heavenly Father wants for me, and sometimes He asks us to make hard choices.
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9:22 am on September 8th, 2011
This is my story also except I was Baptist. Thank you for exactly what I needed to hear today.
blessings,
Sheila
10:01 am on September 8th, 2011
I needed this today. I am a little different, in that I returned to church activity after marrying a non-member. The heartache that my husband and I have experienced, especially in how our children will be raised, has been more painful than anyone can realize. The closer I draw to my Heavenly Father, the more I feel that I am meant to be on this path. Thank you so much for sharing this story.
12:29 pm on September 8th, 2011
I think your decisions demonstrate true faith: doing something hard and unknown because you recognize and look toward the prize (I’m thinking of Matthew 13:45-46). Thanks for sharing your testimony and story.
7:20 pm on September 8th, 2011
Wow. Thank you for being such an inspiration to me! Your story is one of extreme sacrifice, and you give me strength to think that I can offer sacrifices in my own life. Your story lifted my spirit more than you know. Your family will be greatly blessed for your decision, even if it doesn’t seem that way now. We receive blessings when we sacrifice and do what is right. even though it was probably the most difficult decision of your life, I hope that the spirit continues to speak to you and confirm your decision. Thank you for uplifting my day!
7:40 pm on September 8th, 2011
This story, and many others like it, inspire me to be a better Latter Day Saint. Aileen, you make me want to be more fiercely committed to our Father in Heaven and to more actively seek out his will for me and my family. Thank you.
10:21 pm on September 8th, 2011
Aileen, you are a huge inspiration to me in everything. I love your little check ins with me via your cell phone. I love the connection we have through trial and triumph. You can do hard things! Remember that when it gets hard, and hold it close. You are doing it. I love you with all of my heart and soul. Thank you for being an example of a strong LDS Woman and helping to renew my faith as well. xo
4:43 am on September 9th, 2011
Aileen, I saw your work with Amy Howel’s (a friend) family and thought they were beautiful and so touching. I didn’t know you were LDS until I saw this. What a great story you have, i really really enjoyed reading it. Thank you so much for sharing it.
7:48 am on September 9th, 2011
Gosh everyone, thank you for your sweet comments. I’m humbled.
11:02 am on September 9th, 2011
Thanks for this touching and inspiring story. My husband and I have different belief systems (me being LDS) and it gives me great joy to hear how others navigate this successfully. Much love to you and your family.
4:54 pm on October 3rd, 2011
This could be my mother’s exact story. Through many tough years she and my father negotiated a marriage and parenting with two different religious faiths. I am happy to report that all is well and they are very happy together after 50 yrs of marriage. Me and my sister are happy too!
12:56 pm on October 13th, 2011
Hi…I felt so happy to see your testimony..you are awesome…even me to the best choice i ever made in my life ..was geting baptised in true church….see you sunday ..