Hannah's Prayer

Aaron's tree is called "Hannah's prayer". Many wondered why? Well, I was trying to think of a theme or something to base our tree around. I happened to be reading the book "The Promise of Enough" by Emily Freeman. The book is about the seven principles of true abundance. She writes about the story of Hannah, which is found in the first book of Samuel in the Bible. Hannah approaches the Lord after fasting, and with a broken heart because of the years she has waited for a baby. She pleads with the Lord for a baby. And so "the Lord remembered her". Hannah then becomes pregnant and has a son named "Samuel". She loves Samuel so much! When Samuel was very young, Hannah takes him to Eli a prophet, and lent him to the
Lord. In doing so she was completing her promise she had made with the Lord. As I read the book by Emily Freeman she wrote the feelings she felt and I too had so many different emotions come upon me.

I can't even imagine giving my little boy to someone to raise. I know that feeling of letting go, I have felt it many times. I have felt it when I have left my sons with anyone for the first time, or when I have sent the boys to school. But I really felt it when I watched Aaron pass away in Preston's arms. I wondered where would he go, and who would he be with? That is kind of a funny question because I know where he is, but I just felt like I really had to know. I think I felt the same way Hannah did in someways, when she handed her baby over to the Lord.

Hannah's story is not one of heartbreak or grief. It is one of gratitude. She was very thankful to her Heavenly Father. The story continues with Hannah going to see Samuel once a year and bringing him a hand made coat year after year. Which those coats must have been very special for Samuel, because it was written in the scriptures in his life story. Samuel goes on to grow into a powerful young man, he becomes the Prophet of Israel.

It was in this book, that I really began to think that I could be abundantly grateful for the moments I had experienced with Aaron, and that I wanted to be a woman like Hannah. I know that God remembered me, I just had to remember those moments and right them down so I wouldn't forget. Reading about Hannah truly softened my heart. Thank you to whomever gave me this book.

And so I found the theme for my tree. I then set out to find a picture. I found one and it is beautiful! And Elspeth Young the artist, she even invited me to her home and she signed it for me!









I am very excited for this tree to come together and hope you will come and see it December 1-4 at the South Towne Expo Center in Sandy Utah.