7 years ago... I went on a trip to my home country of Belgium. Little did I know that this trip would change my life forever, help me grow emotionally and spiritually, and be my last trip there for 7 years (and still counting).
It was December 2004. I had lived in the United States for a little over 4 years, but I had made the trip to Belgium every year for the holidays. This year was different, though, because instead of staying 2 weeks, my schedule allowed me to stay 2 months (yay to no winter semesters in college). I wanted to stay that long because Noelle was getting married at the beginning of February 2005.
Short explanation about Noelle: A couple of months after I was born, mom had to go back to work. So she asked a friend of hers from church, Taty, if she could watch me, 9 am to 5 pm, 5 days a week, 48 weeks a year, for the next few years. She willingly accepted and basically raised me. She had a daughter 10 years older than me, Noelle, who became sort of like my older sister. Even after my mom quit her job to be home with my brother and I, I continued to go there to hang out with Taty, Tonton, and Noelle. And even after Noelle got married and had her first baby, Oceane, I continued to spend time with them. Eventually, I, in turn, became sort of like Oceane's older sister. When my family and I moved to Maryland, I was sad to leave them. I felt like I left a piece of my heart with them.
Shortly after I moved to Maryland, Noelle got a divorce. Whithin a couple of years, she started dating the most wonderful man ever, Xavier. I knew him from church, and I was really excited that they had decided to take their relationship to the next level.
So anyway, there I was, in Noelle's apartment, laying in bed and trying to get myself to sleep. As I drifted off to sleep, I woke up to hear Noelle crying. I could hear Xavier whispering to her, and I knew whatever was going on was none of my business. After an hour or so, Xavier walked into the room where I was staying and told me he was taking Noelle to the doctor's. Before I had time to say anything, he was out the door. From the tone of Xavier's voice, I knew I had nothing to worry about. But early the next morning I got a call from him telling me that he was at the hospital with Noelle and needed me to take Oceane to school. He said he would call after Oceane was in school to let me know exactly what was going on. After I took Oceane to school, Xavier called. Noelle had had a stroke. The doctors had put her in a coma to figure out what was happening to her and would wake her up that afternoon. Once she was awake, I would be welcome to see her.
As soon as I got the call that afternoon, I hopped on a bus and make the trip to the hospital. I knew I needed to be strong for her, but when I saw her I broke into tears. The left side of her body was entirely paralized and she had a hard time speaking. A million questions popped into my mind. Would she be able to speak again? Would she walk again? Would she play the piano so beautifully again? Would she still get married in just 6 short weeks?
For the next few weeks, I took the role of Oceane's mom. I took her to school, picked her up from school, made dinner, helped her with her homework, gave her a bath, and did the whole bedtime routine for her. In the meantime, Noelle stayed in the hospital. The ward, let me rephrase that, the STAKE, prayed and fasted for her. For the first time in my life, I prayed and fasted with real intent and purpose. It was then that I knew she would be okay. She would learn to use the left side of her body again. She would speak clearly again. She would walk again. She would play the piano as beautifully as she always had. And she would get married, just as planned.
On Christmas day, I didn't care about anything but her progress. Then, I got the call: Noelle had moved the fingers of the left hand. This was the best present I could have hoped for. She was on her way to rehabilitation. She continued to make progress the next day, and the next, and the next. I visited her every day while she was in the hospital.
Finally, the week of the wedding, she came home. But everyone in Noelle's family and Xavier's family had a big task in front of them - putting the whole wedding together without Noelle and Xavier being there. I helped as much as I could while continuing my temp job as a mom.
Finally the big day arrived. Although she got tired easily, Noelle looked beautiful in her white gown. The whole day was perfect. The wedding ceremony was emotional. The wedding reception was fantastic. Everything was... perfect!
When I made the decision to stay in Belgium for 2 months, I had no idea what those 2 months would entail. In the end, my presence became one of the best things for the special circumstance. I was able to motivate Noelle, take care of Oceane, and support Xavier.
But I received something even greater in return. My testimony grew and became much more real to me. I came to know that faithful prayers are always answered. I also realized that fasting could help me to be more prone to feel the spirit. And I observed first-hand the power of a whole stake praying and fasting together for one purpose. I know with my heart and mind that praying and fasting made it possible for Noelle to be the same she was before the stroke. I am thankful for the opportunity that I had to grow on an emotional and spiritual level. But most importantly, I am thankful I got the opportinuty to serve my neighbor.
