Friday Sermon

I'm behind on things I'd like to post and it's not even Sunday, but the Holy Ghost taught me something today that I need to write down.

Max starts kindergarten on Monday.  A few weeks ago, I got a call from the school nurse informing me that he was not current on quite a few of the required shots.  I have strong personal feelings about vaccinations and I am fully aware of the controversial nature of my views.

Ava received most of her vaccinations on the recommended schedule, but by the time Luke was a few months old, I was starting to feel very conflicted about that schedule.  It's not that I don't believe they work, or that I believe they cause autism, or that I don't want my kids protected against horrible diseases.

I just started to feel that the amount of vaccinations given at one time was too much.  For my kids.  I can't speak for anyone else's children.  But for those people over whom I have stewardship, the idea that it was not in the best interest of their bodies to send in so much at one time became very strong.  

Ava received the MMR at 3 years old as a requirement for entrance into a private preschool.  Her entire thigh, from nearly hip to knee was swollen, hard, hot, and red for about 5 days. I'm just glad she didn't  recieve it at 18 months along with the other 5-7 recommended vaccines.

I have searched high and low each time we've moved to find a pediatrician who will respect me and work with me.  I have had to leave a few practices, but I am committed to my feelings and impressions and in doing what is best for my children.

So when the nurse called me, I wasn't surprised, and I aim to have the kids all caught up by kindergarten, so I called the pediatrician's office to work out a plan for him to get caught up in the few weeks before school started. 

Last week, while I was at girls camp, he received the chicken pox and polio vaccines. 

And today he was scheduled to get MMR and Hep B. 

But for the past few days I just wasn't feeling good about it. As the appointment neared, my hesitation zeroed in on the MMR. He'd had his first dose a few years ago without complication, so I wasn't sure why I was worried about it. But I was. I nearly cancelled the appointment but ended up deciding early this morning to go ahead and go, talk it through with the nurse, and see about just getting the Hep B and doing whatever it would take to get an exemption (temporarily) for the vaccines he was missing.

And as I drove there, I did what I'm best at and questioned my sanity.

Am I crazy?

Am I just paranoid?

Are my worries valid? 

Should I follow my gut?

Why can't I just be normal and go with the plan?

Well, when I got into the room and the medical assistant confirmed with me our plans for MMR and Hep B, I voiced my concerns, and she was thankfully, very nice. She went back and forth a few times finding out info for me regarding the exemption and the optimal scheduling of the remaining vaccines. 

There was some confusion on what the best order would be and she initially told me if he got the MMR today, he could not receive any other vaccine for 6 weeks because it is a live vaccine. 

But after another check with in with her superiors, she explained her mistake. Having the MMR today did not mean he couldn't receive any other vaccine for 6 weeks, only that he could not receive another LIVE vaccine for 6 weeks. No live vaccines within 6 weeks of each other. So getting the MMR today would be fine, she said. 

Then it came to me.

 Just last week Max received the chicken pox vaccine. A live vaccine. MMR would not be fine today. 

All at once my swirling worries twirled around me one last time and settled very clearly in my view.

When I reminded her about last week's live vaccine, she paused as the realization dawned on her face. 

"Oh my gosh, you're right. (The Holy Ghost is always right.) He can't get the MMR today."

So he got the Hep B, I got my exemption form, and we were on way to Kinder Meet and Greet.

As I drove I had plenty of time to, instead of question myself, thank my Heavenly Father for his watchful care and for the impressions of the Holy Ghost. 

Without a doubt, had I not questioned the plan, Max would have gotten that shot today. 

And whether the results would have been dire or minor, it was important enough, either for Max's health or merely as an added brick to my testimony of God's watchful care, the information came and I am so glad I listened. 

"In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:6

Experiences like these are a cycle that strengthen my trust in the Lord and perpetuate me to further acknowledge Him, which in turn, ensures His continued guidance in my life. 

And I will acknowledge Him forever for the great love and tenderness with which He directs my thoughts and abilities to care for the children we both love.