"What happens when we die?" By Monica Stopczynski

As a child I had asked in my religion class, "What happens after you die?"  My teacher could not answer this question and at 7 years old I still remember asking her over and over again until she kicked me out of the classroom.  It was an experience that bothered me and stuck with me throughout my life.  That was my first question to the missionaries when I met with them and when they gave me a detailed explanation I felt such a burning desire within my heart that it was true.  I knew at that moment that I would join the Church!

 As I finished taking the discussions I will never forget a special experience the missionaries gave me.  They came over with a few members to teach me one evening and they instead blind folded me and I was put in a car with one of the members.  We drove for a little while and then they helped me get out of the car and had me positioned where they wanted me.  Then, slowly they removed the blind fold and I was standing in front of the most beautiful site I had ever laid eyes on! It was the Columbus, Ohio Temple!  It was so powerful and the Spirit was so strong!  We then had my discussion that evening in the building next to the Temple. 

 Now just about 12 years later I still remember my feelings at those moments when I was learning about the Gospel and being baptized.  It was such a wonderful clean feeling to know at that moment when I was baptized I was perfect in the eyes of my Heavenly Father!

  I have now been sealed in the Temple to a wonderful Priesthood holder and we have 4 children with our 5th coming this summer.  Last year we got to watch as our oldest made the decision to be baptized.  This fall we will watch our second oldest make that same choice.  I cannot imagine raising my family without the Gospel leading and guiding my parenting decisions.

 I am so eternally grateful to the two young men who made the decision to serve missions and to teach me.  I have a special place in my heart for them both and I am grateful for all missionaries who make that unselfish decision to serve our Heavenly Father and help people like me find the Gospel!

Thanks, Monica!

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