Conversion Stories - Susanna LaCroix

Susanna LaCroix was baptized October 2003.

Submitting myself to the influence of the Holy Ghost and teachings of Jesus Christ, my purpose in life is in God's hands. Uncertainty and discomfort is not part of my vocabulary anymore, but let me start from the beginning.

Born premature to a young woman in 1971, I was gifted with a the desire to live, and love the world. Mother had to go through difficult times at 18 years of age, to give birth and to find that there was no man to help and nurture her during and after her pregnancy. Having never met my older brother, and knowing that my natural father was already married and had two children, I am at a loss for words to describe how heavy my mother's burden must have been, without knowing the forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

A Christian family got a hold of me in 1973 and taught me how to speak and sing songs of Jesus Christ the Savior. Could I have been converted then? With the limited time we had, my Christian family connected with me and gave me the gift of knowing who Jesus Christ is, showing me the truth through their faith. At the age of six I had to return to my natural mother and leave the secure and loving foundation of my previous home. Returning to a non-religious home with my difficult mother, I don't want to remember much. Mother got married a year later and gave us a baby girl and later, a baby boy. My brother and sister Tanja and Dennis. I named both of them at the hospital. My mother suffered much, and needed me often around the house and around my siblings. This was no problem, but I was exhausted and felt confused about my purpose in life at times.

Well, as to spiritual growth, I was always pointed in the right direction, educated myself continuously, desired to be good, succeeded at work, but never realized God's beloved Son Jesus Christ inside my heart. Until the year 2000 right after my daughter's home birth. Earlier in Chicago around 1993 hearing of "them", yes, someone even pointing at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building for a good resource, my heart and memory didn't return to our originator, until it was almost too late.

Back to November 2000 my admiration and respect to the passing Elders on my street, and the first warning through the Latter Day Saints, I pleaded my husband to investigate with an open heart and fill our days with love and understanding. I was exhausted for my husband and not receive the love and guidance I needed. I wanted to start a new life. Forgetting that it was through the teachings of Jesus Christ, my independence and courage, the gentle love for my children, and the strong desire to live a joyful life, I became rebellious and careless with myself. I had ignored the warning, exhausted, and lost, in the world.

Remembering the good spirit with Elder Lethco and Elder Gardine in my home, praying and watching tapes. I also remembered Elder Lethco handing me a tape to keep, after explaining to him, that the family was not willing to join. Three years later alone with my children, I opened doors and windows and ask God in. I watched the tape "On the Way Home" and called for more study material to make a change in my life. I was baptized shortly after that. Baptism was an important, yet small step to finding my way back home. I believe that The Book of Mormon is true, and has the divine power to continue our relationship with God, through Jesus Christ and our Latter Day Saint prophet, Joseph Smith. Salvation, forgiveness, and the gift of eternal life continues, and is not limited to the Old and New Testament. I questioned this with my heart, and prayed about this, and received the gift of love through Jesus Christ, and because of this, I no longer delay my loving relationship with my Heavenly Father, and receive the plan he has for me, and each child of mine.