Julie Hill

Julie Hill is a Tender Mercy. Over five years ago, we hadn't gone out house hunting, but a friend of mine drew me a map to our current home. A few days previous, a friend of Enos' from work, also encouraged him to see this house. I believed then that the Lord was working to have us move here, to this very spot, but I didn't know the whole picture. It's becoming more focused to me.

Besides being neighbors to Julie, Enos and Cody were her hometeachers and I became her visiting teacher. Over the years, we've learned a lot about Julie and so much of it has to do with her son, Cameron. She has been open with us, about the pain of losing him (at age 15), but more specifically the strength that trial has given her.

She is just the person we needed right next door when we woke up to find our Josh was gone. She was the first one at our door after the paramedics arrived and she continued to be here whenever I needed her. That first week, she kept asking, "What else?" She had already done so much. Then she asked, "What about nylons?" My jaw dropped as I remembered I had snagged and thrown away my last good pair on Sunday, thinking I'd go out shopping that week. But it wasn't a week to go out shopping and I would need nylons for the funeral.

One day, within a week or two of Josh's passing, I was left home alone. I started playing the piano, but ended up crying and saying to Heavenly Father, "I don't want to be alone." In less than a minute the doorbell rang. Yes, it was Julie. She scooped me up in her arms and I couldn't hold back the tears and of all things, laughter. I was amazed at how in tune she was with the spirit. Through it all, I don't feel pressured to be strong for Julie. She is the one who has seen my tears and heard my sobs and held me through it all. I know she prays for me every day. I needed to live right here, right next door to Julie, who is now my visiting teacher. I love you, girl!