Though Born in the Covenant, I Was Finally Converted at the Age of 29.

My name is James Crawford.  I was born in Dayton, Ohio in 1972.  When I turned 3, my family moved to Southern California, where I grew up.  My parents were married in the Los Angeles temple, but divorced when I was 7.  My mom married my step-dad, divorced him and remarried my father just before I turned 9.  At this point, my mom, two older brothers and I were the only members of the church in our family. 

I scored above average in school and ended up being accepted at a college prep middle school.  I was in honors in my freshman year of high school.  When I turned 14, I was ordained a teacher.  It wasn’t long before I made some choices that led me away from the straight and narrow path.  I got my first job the summer after my sophomore year at Dominos pizza.  I bought my first car and paid insurance on my own.  A year later, I changed jobs to Little Caesars Pizza.  I learned the ropes and was promoted to store manager by the time I turned 17, finishing high school in alternative home study.

 I switched jobs when I was almost 21, supervising a cleaning crew at a FHP Hospital and that lasted six months before I was laid off. Following 6 months of unemployment, I was blessed with a job working for a contractor at the BNSF Railway.  I started as a gate inspector, checking trailers and containers in and out of the facility.  I was thirsty; I wanted to learn all I could possibly learn.  Within 2 years, I advanced to an operations manager where I was in charge of loading and unloading the trailers and containers I used to check in and out of the gate.  I continued to veer further from the narrow way, getting wrapped up in worldly things and rationalizing my iniquities. 

After I wandered in my desert for 15 years, I started dating and got engaged to a non-member.  I knew I wanted to marry in the temple and I knew I had to change the direction of my life to accomplish it.  I made a choice and I was fully committed.  I read the Book of Mormon for the first time ever; I now knew for myself that it was true.  Though born in the covenant, I was finally converted at the age of 29.  I started paying a full tithe and attend church every week with my fiancé.  She began missionary discussions.  I was soon ordained a priest and baptized my fiancé.  It turned out she had only been baptized because she thought it was what I wanted and she broke off our engagement shortly after. 

I pressed forward with great resolve to live the commandments and was called into the young men’s presidency.  I began temple-prep classes and was able to go through the Los Angeles temple.  It must have been the following Sunday that I was asked to see the stake president and was called to be elders quorum president. 

Three years back into the fold, I went on a blind date.  I knew she was one described in my patriarchal blessing.  We dated for a few months and I proposed to her on May 24, 2005 at 6:50pm.  My sweet Stephanie said yes and made me the happiest man ever.  I courted her and we married on September 9, 2006 in the San Diego temple.  We tried to have children, but soon found that Stephanie could not take a baby to term due to health challenges.  We chose adoption to grow our eternal family and started a long process.  We were blessed with our Liam in August 2011, our Grayson in April 2013 and our Topanga Ann in August 2013.  

I was literally scared to relocate when my wife and I first talked about the possibility of relocating 7 years earlier.  I was faithful and obedient in my calling in my ward and my wife and I had been talking more seriously about leaving California September 2013, but we felt stuck in a slightly upside down mortgage.  In March 2014, I was inspired to ask my boss about our company’s start-up in Seattle that we had just acquired two weeks previous.  I hadn’t been considered or shown any real interest in helping with the start-up, but suddenly inspired, I told him I may be interested in relocating.  He indicated he would pass my interest on to our regional manager.  The regional manager called me the next morning and three days later I was on a plane to Seattle to train people.  Within a week was offered a promotion and transfer. 

I accepted their offer and continued to work away from home.  Stephanie stayed behind to finalize the pending adoptions of our two youngest children and put our house up for sale.  Our house sold 2 months later, breaking even on what we owed.  It was not easy to be away from my wife and children.  It took much prayer and supplication for me to make it through.  As a result of my prayers, my fears had been dispelled and I was comforted through the whole process.  My family and I were reunited in August after the adoptions being finalized and being sealed in the Redlands temple.  I grew spiritually, learning so much about myself and my capabilities.  I am now in a better position to continue my education and have started BYU-I Pathway.  My wife and I are still amazed at this huge blessing in our lives.

"...by the power and word of God, they had been converted unto the Lord."
Alma 53:10