A Woman named Laura

 Auston Tesch:

I want to share with you the story of a woman named Laura, whose life has been a testament to those around her about prayer and miracles. Laura’s early years of marriage were filled with the excitement of starting a family, but despite their best efforts, Laura and her husband faced a challenging road ahead. For many years, the couple tried treatment after treatment, struggling to conceive, left heartbroken each time. In the midst of their struggles, Laura and her husband turned to their faith and began to pray fervently to God for guidance, strength and a miracle. Laura found solace in her conversations with her father, seeking answers to her questions and comfort during her moments of doubt. Her unwavering belief and patience are a testament to her character and determination. Laura and her husband's prayers were finally answered 5 years into her infertility journey they adopted their oldest son Auston, Then they were presented with an opportunity to channel their unfulfilled parental love in another direction.They opened their hearts and home to foster children in need. Despite the disappointments they had faced in having children of their own, their hearts were still full of love to give. Laura’s nurturing spirit and boundless compassion created a haven for over 25 foster children over the course of 15 years, offering them stability, warmth, and a chance for a brighter future. Because of their unwavering faith Laura and her husband became a beacon of hope for these children. She stood as their protector and a guiding light during the darkest moments of their lives.

Laura faced one of the biggest struggles in her life when she was diagnosed with melanoma and needed to go through surgery and all that is involved in removing melanoma. She had radioactive fluid put into her body and had lymph nodes removed. After the procedures her margins looked good and she began her years of check ups first every 3 months moving to 6 month appointments and finally an appointment every year. Things were looking good for her to beat this cancer.

Through foster care their home was blessed with 4 more adopted children Jaci, Noah, Abby and Daniel, each time taking their family through the temple to seal them together for time and all eternity.

Through all of this she developed a keen sense for hearing that still small voice and

understanding how she can align her will with Gods, and God was now telling her that her family was not yet complete. Although Laura had gone through 18 years of infertility treatment and heartache, they decided on some more fertility treatments with the possibility of having a child of their own. Laura's doctors became very optimistic that she would be able to become pregnant this time with many new innovations in modern medicine, they believed in her chances. However, during the process with the specialists, the joyous mood was overshadowed by a devastating discovery – Laura was diagnosed with uterine cancer. The best solution to effectively save her life was a hysterectomy with the devastating news that she would never carry a child.

This news was a profound test of Laura’s faith and strength. Why would God give her

hope to become pregnant, only to crush her desires once again? Because he knew she would be faithful, God made a path to discover the cancer in her body. And through it all, Laura’s heart remained open to the prompting that her family still wasn’t complete. In the months that followed he again reached out to Heavenly Father in prayer and it was confirmed to her once more that She and her husband should again open the doors of their home to foster children. Her prayers were again answered in 2009 a darling tiny baby was born and Laura found closure. The baby weighed barely 3 pounds when they took her home from a three week stay in the NICU. Ella was their 29th foster placement and they adopted her when she was a year old.  This adoption was their 6th and final child, who was sealed to them in the Temple of God for time and all eternity. Through the process of fostering children and adopting their 6 children, many families chose to adopt. Siblings, friends and people they had just met were influenced to adopt. Laura has been able to comfort and help many whose arms ache just like hers. 

One of those moms who adopted a little one said that “The entire experience you have gone through is to help others and shows evidence of the Lord’s great love for you”. Immediately Laura felt this powerful truth. Each small or great miracle that made up the whole experience came to  mind and she was filled with gratitude. She feels so blessed and grateful and her most cherished names are “Mom” and now “Gigi”.

Laura and her husband enjoyed many great years of fulfillment with their family. Camping trips, riding motorcycles and 4 wheelers at the Badlands, going on many vacations and being together as a family. Laura was almost killed when a 4 wheeler rolled on top of her. She was bleeding internally and broke 7 ribs. She was life flighted to the hospital where she received a blessing that she would come through this accident and finish her mission. After surgery and plated ribs she was able to return home to her family. Her life was spared so she could continue her mission here on earth.

Another trial and struggle  Laura faced with grit and determination. In her hard time she felt she was drowning and turned to our Savior who was there ready to save her. She hit what she felt was the very bottom and He was there to lift her up. She grabbed his hand and pushed off to come up for air.

She knows Jesus lives. She knows He is there. He has already felt her pain and sorrow and she loves HIM with ALL her heart. Our Savior was the only one that could help her through her trial. She realized the atonement was there for her even when she was drowning in pain and betrayal.

It is only through the trial of our faith that we become stronger and more refined. She found that she is the daughter of The King entrusted to stand as a guard and a protector of the most precious gifts given from above. She is a warrior who fights against those who destroy all that is precious and good. She is a defender of the most Holy, sacred and eternal importance. She is a Daughter of The King, a Warrior of Christ.    

In the early months of 2023, Laura’s life again took an unexpected turn when she

received the devastating news as she was diagnosed with cancer once again. This time it was

back with a vengeance as the Doctors diagnosed stage 4 melanoma, it was inside her body this time, in her brain, lungs and muscles. The yearly exams she had been going to for 23 years, they looked on the outside and it was never caught. She was given  3-5 years to live. A sense of fear and uncertainty washed over her and her loved ones, but she was determined to fight with every ounce of strength she had. With the support of her family and friends, she began a journey of spiritual connection and healing through Christ. It was during these moments that Laura felt a profound sense of peace that she was seaking, that can only be found through our Savior and Redeemer.

But Laura also understood the importance of medical intervention. She approached her treatment with a positive attitude and a determination to work hand in hand with her doctors. The medical team crafted a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to her needs, combining various therapies to maximize her chances of recovery.

As the months passed, Laura’s faith never wavered, even on the toughest days.

Miraculous moments started to unfold. During a routine MRI, Laura’s doctor observed that all of her tumors had significantly shrunk since she had begun treatment. The medical team was astonished at the progress she had made, and they attributed it to the combined efforts of modern medicine and Laura’s unwavering belief in the possibility of healing and miracles. Laura’s story has become a living testament that life’s hardest trials can be overcome through prayers of faith and turn into miracles."

August 2023