Debbie Burgin - Temple City Ward

Hi, my name is Deborah Burgin but you can call me Debbie. The only time I was called Deborah was when I was in trouble.

I am the eldest of 3 girls and was raised in the church by my return missionary father and my convert mother.

I was sealed in the Mesa Arizona temple to my parents after my sister was born. Our early years were filled with lots of missionary dinners. My parents were active in the gospel and held various callings and then in my early teens things changed. My father having health problems and  stopped going to church due to hurt feelings. My mother  worked long hours to support the family. I loved primary but felt unhappy with myself in my teen years. I remember when we got to “MIA” age, we had to find our own rides if we wanted to go. For some people that might have made us drop out also but it only encouraged my little sister and I to carry on. My second sister struggled with behavior issues and only attended Sundays because we were told to go.

 I was one of those children who didn’t mind the “no” to a question but I needed to know ‘why’ so I was a trial to my parents, always “back-talking” they said. This led to my finding my way, only it wasn’t always the Lord’s way. Eventually it brought me back around to being rebaptized in 1980. At that time I had 2 children and was pregnant with the 3^rd child. I divorced their father soon after the birth of the 3^rd child. While I regret my choices and the experiences I had, I am forever grateful for the lessons it taught me. The only regret is sometimes those memories come back unbidden and for a moment, I feel such pain that I made those choices.

Those lessons help me and support me with the knowledge that while I may not agree with the choices some of my posterity is making, they too can repent and come back to our Heavenly Father’s kingdom. I did and I am stronger because of it. Now I have 4 children, 5 stepchildren, 13 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and 1 more girl on the way in Oct.

 I thank my Heavenly Father for the gift of the Christ’s crucifixion, Christ’s atonement and Christ’s forgiveness and because of repentance, I can return home to my father.