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On Faith
Derrick and Eun Mi Kim Myers
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Man injured, wife pregnant, but faith keeps family strong
As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have learned through trying experiences that the Lord loves us but that our trials give us experiences for growth. A terrible accident was a life-changing point in our lives that tested our faith.
Eun Mi: As a 9-year-old girl in Korea, I wanted to go to a Christian church but was not allowed because my mother's relative had a bad experience. It wasn't until I was 19 that I got interested again through an English class taught by Mormon missionaries. When one of the missionaries asked me in Korean would I like to know more about Christ, the spirit helped me understand what they tried to teach me. I later served as a missionary at Temple Square in Salt Lake City and enrolled afterward at Brigham Young University Hawaii.
Derrick: I was led by the spirit to join the church while I was in the Army in Kansas. It wasn't something I had to seek for and pray about for hours, I just knew. I also went on a mission, to Las Vegas. I didn't plan on doing that, I wanted to get married and start a family. But I told my church leader if I can serve three years for my country, then I can definitely do two years for my God. I had a wonderful time and got to help a lot of people. Afterwards, I enrolled at BYUH.
Eun Mi: We first met when I was working at the BYUH snack bar and he was a regular customer.
Derrick: We've had a lot of struggles as married students, but it's been a great adventure. I graduated last April. Then on Oct. 14th, I was walking home on Kamehameha Highway at night when I was attacked by a dog. As I was trying to get away, I got hit by a semitruck. It fractured my pelvis in a few places and cut my head. I was in the hospital for 2 1/2 weeks, and I'm still recuperating.
Eun Mi: It was rough. While he was in the hospital, I had to do everything. We have a baby, David, who's 15 months old now. He got sick about a week after the accident. I'm still a full-time student. I'm also pregnant. I prayed a lot during that time. People told me, "You are strong. You're not doubtful or negative." My teachers also helped me and I passed all my classes.
Derrick: I'm thankful to be alive, because I know I could have died. I'm grateful to be able to do the small things, walk and talk, spend time with my family and friends, and eat with a fork and spoon rather than through a tube.
I also know if the Lord wants us to be here, we will be here. I'm thankful I'm able to be here with my family, to have life and to have a chance to be better. Hopefully, I can take the things I've learned in my time in life and help people with their problems.
Eun Mi: Being faithful and diligent has been a great help to me. In my heart and mind I always knew my Heavenly Father would help me.
Derrick: You've just got to put God first and keep going. We get hurt, we suffer and we have trials, but they are for our good and help to make us stronger, if we think of them in the right way. They help us to grow and be better people. As a result of this accident, our family has grown even closer and is moving forward.
Derrick Myers, originally from Georgia, is a recent BYUH graduate and is preparing to apply to law school. Eun Mi Kim Myers, originally from Korea, is a BYUH exercise and sports science major who hopes to teach dance.