Testimony of Cindy
Given at the 2008 Annual Conference of Evergreen International
Our son Adam is a wonderful man. He has always been active in church, attended four years of seminary, fulfilled all of his church callings, and he honorably served a mission to the Philippines. It was quite a surprise when I found a letter in my purse from him telling me he had SSA feelings. I remember sitting in the basement looking for something in my purse while my younger children were watching TV. As I read the letter tears streamed down my face. How could this be, what could we do to help him, where could we go for answers? That night as my husband and I went to bed I showed him the letter. The same feelings and thoughts came to him. Thankfully, Adam had found some help on his own.
Adam had already talked to his mission president who had given him a book by Jason Park with some information about Evergreen in it. He had also talked with our bishop and was meeting with a counselor at LDS Family Services. We were so lucky that he had taken the initiative to find help. He is the one who found an Evergreen support group and eventually started coming to these wonderful conferences.
Adam has been attending these conferences for seven years and has been on the conference committee three different years. Through Evergreen and its support groups we have met and had several of our son’s friends in our home. They are wonderful men who are striving to follow the teachings of the church.
At first I had concerns about Adam going to meetings with all men when he had SSA. I couldn’t see how this could be good. But after attending firesides and Evergreen conferences, I now understand the great strength these men give to one another and help them through their struggles. Adam has had some rough times that he has gone through like so many of you here, but he has never stopped going to church or gave up. His faith may have been tried, but it is strong and I know that the people in Evergreen have been a tremendous help to him.
We have not been able to attend every year, but have been to a few and have attended all of the Saturday evening firesides. Each year that we have attended the conference I come away awe struck by the determination and faith of these men and women. I have learned of the struggles that they are going through, the support they receive from each other. I have learned of ways that our family can be of help to Adam. The thing that I take back with me each year is the knowledge that Christ loves them, that through His Atonement He knows how each of them feel, knows how hard this is for them to deal with and most of all that He will never give up on them. I am so thankful for this organization and all that it has done to help my son and the many other men and women.
I want Adam to know that we as a family love him and support him and pray for him.