After Preslee unexpectedly left this world, I no longer knew how to function. I was left childless and completely lost in life. I spent hours on my knees pleading, sobbing, and begging Heavenly Father to remove the constant ache that my arms and heart couldn’t seem to escape. Following each one of those prayers, I usually received the answer,
“Trust in Me.”
Trust in Him? There were moments I felt like I had done everything He had ever asked of me, and then suddenly my daughter was taken from me? I felt like I was being punished for a crime I never committed. How would I ever be happy again with such a big piece of my life missing? Trust didn’t always come easily for me.
As time passed by, I learned to deal with my grief, and slowly the sobbing and pleading disappeared from my prayers. Then just yesterday, three boys were determined to outdo their brothers' and compete for my sole attention. With two crying babies, and one clingy toddler, I ran around the house like a mad woman, attempting to juggle feeding, burping, bathing, dressing, diaper changing, (sooo many poopy diapers) and consoling all three boys. It seemed that I had at least one child crying at ALL times. And then Ledger decided to take it to another level, I was left with a broken lamp, along with laundry, bread, toys, and toilet paper strewn across the house. By mid afternoon I nearly lost it, and I had one of those parenting moments (probably due to a lack of sleep) when you just have to walk away…and that’s what I did, I slid out the back door- and appreciated the silence.
I said a little prayer, pleading for patience, and asking that I’d be able to give each child what they needed. I was feeling a little insecure, questioning if I could really handle two newborns at one time… And then I received the answer I hadn’t been given in quite some time.
“Trust in Me.”
And then I remembered.
I remembered sitting in Primary Children’s Hospital, realizing Preslee was never coming home with us. I remembered the pain, heartache, and tears I experienced for such a long time. I remembered the deafening silence that over took our home. I remembered everything I prayed for hoping one day it would change. I could be wrong, but I think as our Heavenly Father watched and listened to my prayers, His heart hurt for me, similar to how mine did when I took Preslee’s binky away. Even though He fully understood the pain I felt, I think He smiled at times, (or even chuckled) because He knew where I’d be in three short years.
Heavenly Father knew three years later, (almost to the very day), my arms would be filled to the max. Instead of crying due to the emptiness, there would be tears of frustration because I felt like I couldn’t be three places at once. He knew I would go from feeling like my life had no purpose to being so busy I wouldn’t have time to think about anything other than my kids. He knew I would find myself back in the thick of motherhood once again – exactly what I wanted. He’s literally given me everything I pleaded for (X’s 3), so it only makes sense that He would say,
“Trust in Me.”
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6
Looking back over the last three years, I can definitely see that He directed my paths. My life has turned out so differently than I expected, but it has definitely turned into something beautiful once again.
Which makes me realize I have every reason to “Trust in Him.”
I loved this post Ashley! I've been having some hard days myself, thank you for the reminder to always, always, trust in Him! Hugs Mama! You're amazing and I look up to you in so many ways!
ReplyDeleteThat was beautiful. I love your posts.
ReplyDeleteAshley, I have been reading your blog for about a year now, and it never fails to touch me and to teach me. I have two sets of twins (seven kids in all) and lived to tell about it:D Your faith, your courage and your understanding of Heavenly Father's plan at such a young age has encouraged me to try harder when trials arise. I have never had to face the death of a child, but I know if it happened, your words and experience would sustain me even as my testimony of the Plan of Salvation does. Thank you, from a total stranger who finds life a little overwhelming at times. I use some of your sweet words in my Relief Society lessons at times. Your experience with loss has made you much older and wiser than your young years, and I have no doubt that you have been an anchor and a support for so many people. I absolutely love reading about your family and being uplifted by your words. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart.
ReplyDeleteYou are such a beautiful writer. You can tell your posts come from your heart. I can't read without tears, and the picture of the boys with big sister's picture, put me over the top! Stay strong, and walking away is always needed, you are just like the rest of us moms trying to figure it all out, some days are harder than others, and I know how it is to throw the emotions in of losing a child as well. You are doing great!!!
ReplyDeleteI love this. You are the greatest Mom in the world!
ReplyDeleteKeep your chin up! There will be a many days like this one but it does get easier. I was in the same situation you were in! 3 kids under 2 and life was crazy. My girls are almost 14months now and life has gotten a tad easier haha! I loved this post! Sometimes its hard to see anything but crazines when your in the eye of the Storm. Your such an amazing mom and I love how you always seek the Lord. Hard times will come but he is always with us!
ReplyDeletethis may have been the most beautiful post i have ever read. trust is so difficult and yet so freeing. thank you ashley for sharing trust with us, but most of all HOPE.
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful!!! Thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteLove it! You are such an amazing woman! You inspire me on a daily basis. The picture of the boys with the Preslee necklace is adorable! Brings tears to my eyes!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful heartwarming post Ashley. Our Heavenly Father is always there. Love the picture of the twins with Preslee. They knew their sister in Heaven, they'll now have the opportunity to know her through you and Pat.
ReplyDeleteYour writing is so beautiful! I love reading your blog, you are an amazing mom, and I can truly say that without even knowing you personally ;) and by the way...Love that last picture. I love how Preslee is incorporated in everything your family does.
ReplyDeleteI love this so so much. You have a beautiful way with words and are so eloquent in sharing your experiences. Heavenly Father truly knows you! I can so relate to feeling like there's not enough of you to go around. There were many days I wished I could one myself or grow four extra arms! Someone will always be crying sometime throughout the day and someone is always going to need you. It's ok to let them cry and just take a minute (or 10!) to regroup. Pretty soon you won't even notice the crying:) you are in the thick of the hardest part (at least for me). It WILL get easier, you WILL sleep uninterrupted again, and you WILL have a chance to go somewhere all by yourself again! I am so excited to hear about your fun adventures will these handsome boys you have.
ReplyDeleteAnother beautiful post, Ashley!
ReplyDeleteThank you for a wonderful reminder.
Bless you and those sweet boys :)
Another beautiful post, Ashley!
ReplyDeleteThank you for a wonderful reminder.
Bless you and those sweet boys :)
Thank you for sharing. Your post brought tears to my eyes. I love that last picture. So sweet. You can do it. You will do it. You are an excellent mom.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post Ashley! I love the picture of the boys with Preslee too!
ReplyDeleteway to make me cry! beautiful lesson.
ReplyDeleteSo precious. Love that picture. Ashley, I know you don't know me, and have no cause to listen to me, but I promise you that there are a thousand good, kind, loving, warm, caring people out there who want to help you. Call your mama. Don't try to handle everything alone. When my SIL had premie twins, a 5 year old and a 2 year old, she lived in my parents' duplex and my mother helped her CONSTANTLY. You are amazing, but you are human--three kids, two and under is CRAZY HARD. Call your mama, your VT, your plentiful cousins, friends, aunts, and uncles. They want to help!!! But you made it through...with your trust in God. Hang in there, enjoy what you can and survive what you must!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post, Ashley. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. And that picture at the end... omg, it brought tears to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteI got chills when I read that last part and saw the picture of the twins with Preslee's picture. Thank you for sharing your beautiful words!
ReplyDeleteLove this. I needed these words today...Trust in Me. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post from your heart filled with so much love and gratitude.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your boys!
Absolutely beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI have followed your blog for quite some time, but have never commented. I felt the spirit so strongly through your post today. Thank you for you words, and for your example. I really needed to hear them today =)
ReplyDeleteThat picture is beyond precious. I am so happy you have little hands to hold again!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post! My husband and I have been trying to conceive and at times I feel like I'm begging God and wondering "Why hasn't it happened yet??" This reminds me to take in each moment and not worry about the days ahead. They're in his control. Someday I'm sure I'll be in the same boat with my kids wishing we had time alone. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I LOVE that last pic of your twins holding the pendant with Preslee's picture in it. So beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I really needed to here this today! It touched my heart!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful picture of the twins! Thanks for posting this, needed to hear those words today! "Trust in me"
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said. Everyone experiences their own heartache, and yours has been one of the deepest. I admire your willingness to share your faith through it all. Your words are encouraging, inspiring, and motivate in a Christlike way for anyone reading them. Thank you for your faith and example.
ReplyDeleteSo beautifully written! You are such a wonderful mom! I love reading your blog. You give so much hope to others! Hang in there, they are only small for such a short time.
ReplyDeleteTouched my heart....I do think God has really blessed you and your husband!!!! Love the picture with the boys and preslee.....
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post! I too love the picture of your boys holding the photo of Preslee. I think in this mortal world with limited understand that 'trusting in him' is sometimes the hardest thing to do for we cannot fully understand all in this state of mind. It is so nice to hear that your aching has dulled, it will never disappear, but Preslee will always be yours. You seem like such a wonderful mother and your children are lucky to have you. BTW I also understand the feeling of trying to be in more places than one and those times where I just have to walk away. I have two boys and they are 17.5 months apart and some days it is just all I can do to keep it together. They are now 2 and 3 and busy, busy, busy. However, I too spent many years begging and pleading for children and in two years I had two children. Now pleading is more for me to be the best mom I can to my boys. I don't know how always but we make it and we can only do so with trust in the Lord. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Post. Brought tears to my eyes. What an amazing family you have. I love the last picture of the boys with the necklace of their big sister. <3
ReplyDeleteAshley, I just loved this post so much. Beautiful, beautiful! You are amazing!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Post, It is overwhelming with 3 little ones but some how you get thru it...and they dont stay little for long so before you know it you will be chasing them all over....love the picture of the babies with your locket.....:)
ReplyDeletebeautiful!
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful words and lesson. Thank you for sharing. I need to remember to Trust in Him always. I have no reason to doubt him.
ReplyDeleteInspiring post! The picture of the twins with Preslee is absolutely beautiful! They will cherish it so much!
ReplyDeleteWhat an absolutely beautiful post. Ash - you truly amaze me!!
ReplyDeleteYou also did the right thing by walking away. My favorite nurse in the hospital told me something like, A baby have never died from crying. You can always put them down somewhere safe and walk away for a few moments. I have ALWAYS remembered this.
You are amazing. Do not forget to take time for yourself. Take 10-15 minutes when Patrick gets home or when someone comes to visit to walk the block and get some fresh air. Sit in the minivan (hehe) and listen to your favorite tunes cracked up. Do what gives you a sense of peace.
You are amazing. Thank you! And that picture is the most precious thing ever.
ReplyDelete❤❤❤
Beautiful. Never stop writing and inspiring. You have a special gift with words.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post Ashley. Thank you for writing so elegantly and thank you for always including the spiritual messages you have. I really needed to hear that scripture today. Precious pictures of all of your kiddos.
ReplyDeleteThank you for always sharing your testimony, Ashley. You inspire me to be a better mother and I love reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I have ever commented on your blog, but I had to say that this is so beautiful. I managed not to cry, just barely, throughout the entire entry and then lost it anyways when I saw the photo at the bottom. So precious! My heart has broken for you over and over reading your sadness about Preslee. Even though I know that she is irreplaceable, I am so happy for you that you now have these babies to love and I'm so thankful for the reminder to cherish EVERY precious moment with my own. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing, and I love how positive you have stayed through it all. Thinking of you!
ReplyDeleteYou are so amazing and I especially love how positive you have stayed through all you have been through. Thinking of you!
ReplyDeletePerfect!
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing this, from an unknown reader who eagerly awaits your inspired words on this blog. You are a strong and beautiful woman Ashley.
ReplyDeleteFrom a very grateful, unkown reader you once again have touched my heart with your beautiful, inspired words. Your faith uplifts me and I consider you to be a strong and beautiful woman. I have checked in on your blog for the last 3 years and enjoy every post :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE everything about this post Ashley!! You are amazing in so many ways!! I too wish I could just catch a glimpse of the future that Heavenly Father has for me...to see so clearly the answers and blessings he has in store. BUT...trusting in Him and in his timing is part of our test here on earth! I can only imagine the chaos of caring for those three special boys but you got this...because you are ASHLEY SULLENGER...and YOU can do DANG HARD things!! All my love!!
ReplyDeleteSuch an amazing post with a good message. Thank you for opening your life to the world, I love following your blog and I always seem to get a "lift" when I need it most from your posts.
ReplyDeleteOh man, that picture of the boys with a picture of Preslee is so precious. You are such an amazing woman! You can do this because "you can do hard things." Hang in there. Your family is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteOh ASHLEY. Those twin babies, and that crazy toddler, are all so beautiful. Oh my. Sometimes I wish for twins again. But that didn't come until a certain hard phase passed of course....good luck with your sweet bundles. You cross my thoughts often. I was eating graham crackers and milk tonight and remembered how much you HATE that. Funny the things we remember...Thank you for sharing your heart with us. I imagine that so much good has come from sharing all that you have.
ReplyDeleteGood luck.
And I hope you get some sleep tonight. =)
Morgan
Amazing, beautiful post. I've been reading your blog since Preslee's accident and your trusting has been incredible to watch. Even when you didn't feel like you were doing it we could see that you were. Thanks for sharing your journey
ReplyDeletelove this. Thank you. I'm working on this myself. We have our rainbow baby after our Charlie died of SIDS and every day I'm terrified we'll lose Cami the same way. I needed to read your words today and re-commit to taking that leap of faith over and over and trust.
ReplyDeleteYou always share your feelings so beautifully. Thank you for sharing! When I am a mother, I hope I can be like you.
ReplyDeleteAmen! Beautiful....Proverbs 3:5 is my favorite verse and he does indeed have a plan for each and everyone of us and you articulated it so beautiful! Keep taking those little breathers to get thru the hard times...I know he smiles down at you and says " you are my child and with you I am well pleased. Such wisdom at such a young age. Praying for blessings and grace on your beautiful family.
ReplyDeleteI, too, have been reading your blog since Preslee's accident. (I love your family. Your Grandfather Wightman was my branch president years ago at Ricks...and my religion teacher.) As I was reading your incredibly beautiful post, part of the 13th A. of Faith came to mind. "...and hope to be able to endure all things." You are truly living what you believe. May you continue to be blessed as you mother these sons of God. You are an inspiration to many.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post.....It is sometimes (well lots of the time) hard to trust and hard to keep trusting. In one of my hardest times and after such desperate prayers, I distinctly heard the words, "I'm right here." Those words brought me such peace then, and now, to know that He is there and He is watching over me and all of my family. You are really amazing Ashley. Your words of inspiration, the sharing of a little part of your journey, and those darling babies (all 4) bring hope to all of us that even though life can be a struggle, the rewards are breathtaking and simple.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeleteSweet picture of the twins and necklace.
xo
You are adorable!
ReplyDeleteYour post was wonderful and I TOTALLY needed that in every way. I find myself not trusting...and doing things without a prayer and then I fall to my knees as the grief knocks me down...Thank you for your faith and hope I can make it. Sending a prayer that you can "trust Him" God is so perfect in every way and so is HIs plan. We will make it. (((HUGS))
ReplyDelete*and your twins are tender!
Tiffany Hebb
What a great post! I truly feel the spirit while reading your blog. You are amazing and so inspiring. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThat last picture is heartbreakingly beautiful, so tender and sweet. Thank you for sharing this. Such an incredible message
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE this post. Do you mind if I share it on my blog? Even though my trial is much different, I can still relate to the fact that I have to trust in his plan. I think many other people in my boat would absolutely love this post. You are AMAZING, Ashley. Absolutely amazing. Thanks again for your wisdom. :) Email me at JennaDredge@gmail.com if it's ok to share.
ReplyDeleteThanks again.
Jenna
Thank you for this post. I am going through another divorce currently and will once again be the single mom of four boys, one of whom has Autism. I know that because I am a daughter of God, I will never be alone. But sometimes we need reminders to trust in Him.
ReplyDelete