Former Miss Hawaii and Miss America finalist Patricia Lei Anderson Murray spoke on the blessings and significant role that miracles bring into our lives in an April 4 devotional speech to BYU-Hawaii students and faculty.
In introducing the theme of her talk, “…and it will surprise you what the Lord has done,” Murray told students and faculty that years ago she observed that there were three kinds of people in the world.
“Which one are you?” she asked. “Are you making things happen? Are you noticing what’s happening? Are you aware of the blessings in your life? And most importantly, are you recognizing and acknowledging the many miracles in your life?”
Murray explained that in each of our busy lives we often forget to study the miracles in our lives and the “Lord's daily saving grace.”
Murray added, “It was Christ who traveled through little towns like this, teaching in parables and performing many great miracles. All this He did for the believers—all those who exercised faith first, for faith precedeth the miracle.
“This is sacred land. It was established and consecrated for special purposes of which you are receiving the gifts,” she said of the Laie community. “It is worth your research and discovery, on the miracles of Laie and Kahuku.
She then recounted specific past experiences of her own and family that helped her recognize and study the miracles and blessings brought about in their lives.
Her first recollection of a miracle occurred as a young child on a fishing excursion in Kawela Bay. She explained that growing up, she had always watched her father on fishing trips catching many fish and desired to catch her own fish.
Murray said that one day while in the bay with her mother, she caught an “opelu” with her “mu’u mu’u,” which she considered as one of the first great miracles in her life.
She also spoke of a certain family that helped her recognize the importance of tithing and putting the Lord first. Another story saw her sister escaping serious danger from a fire because of the miracle of prayer.
“Miracles will come in many varied ways, sometimes quietly just for your eyes and your heart and mind, or as a personal testimony reinforcing our Savior’s love,” she said. “We must not wait for fires to be lit under us—we need to recognize the Lord’s presence in our lives daily.”
Murray’s last experience helped her realize the importance of helping and serving others regardless of the circumstances.
She explained how a small misunderstanding she had with a young man who was looking for his birth parents turned out to be a happy reunion after years of separation.
Murray was thought to be the birth mother of this particular person, but her willingness to help eventually helped him find his real parents. She said that the Lord often puts us in certain situations where we can act as the catalyst for miracles.
“What if I did not have the spirit of pursuing?” she said. “But I think Heavenly Father needed me, this young man needed me and it just worked out that way.”
She encouraged everyone to “make things happen” and to look for the miracles in all of our daily endeavors and service. “Study and know the miracle of the great atoning sacrifice of our Savior that allows us to be here today.”
Murray added, “Small miracle, big miracle? Brothers and sisters, life is a miracle. Our Savior loves us and enables us to do life in such a unique way if we but choose to be close to him.”
Murray is an entertainer, former corporate trainer for Franklin Covey, quilter, wife, and mother of five children and nine grandchildren. She also served as Hawaii’s mother of the year in 1998.