Paula was the only black member of her family, how she has battled and overcome her trials

[@McD-2024]

Another incredible episode. Paula, you are so courageous. God is so pleased with your effort and testimony.

[@amihachuo4589]

This is my mom and she is the strongest woman in the world

[@ahh-2-ahh]

Mom was a blast! I enjoyed her story... Funny, loving and truthfully inspiring!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@tracystoutbehunin9303]

This was such a good episode. Love this story. And how real and honest she is. Soooo wise warm and enlightened.

[@Ruby_Villain]

💛

[@pachuo4192]

Dankjewel Amih, ik hou van jou ❤️

[@alexanderv7702]

How do you know she is the 'Strongest Woman'?

[@patriciaklain8980]

Thank you thank you. I am a mother to a son that lives gay. We love him. He has cut off contact with us . Says we belong to a cult. The church. He once believed too but slowly , change that to quickly , said he doesn’t believe . This insight is answer to prayer for me. God knows how to prepare a way. I believe loving him is part of it. Again thank you.

[@deedeemorgan4123]

Your story has touched my heart deeply. Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing something so intimate. Bless you.

[@maryannebryce5210]

I love her. My faith is strengthened by Paula’s example and her determination.

[@henryponnefz1444]

Thanks for sharing with us. Wonderful story. You are so strong!

[@blackjay5338]

*Such an amazing, inspirational, encouraging, and uplifting story.* *Beautiful!* *It's not fair that I can only tap the like button once.* 👍 *I want to tap it 100 times!*

[@lindanelsen1621]

Me too, such a wonderful story ❤️

[@heatherkoelliker5053]

Wow, I absolutely loved this episode! Paula thank you for sharing your experience and being so open and honest!! You brought a lot of insight to questions I have had about the gospel plan and all his beloved children ❤️

[@Kaydubbbb]

Paula is reflecting the light of the Lord in so many ways! Thank you for sharing this ! So many people need this message and so did I. What a beautiful testimony!!

[@jessegonzales816]

In the midst of my struggles, though different this share and podcast has continued to provide hope in the darkness.

[@BonsaiLex]

Keep it up. You got this 💪🏼❤

[@Come.Back.Podcast]

Sending love

[@ahh-2-ahh]

I LOVE U PAULA!!!!! GREAT EPISODE!!!!❤❤❤❤❤

[@debbiedrenben]

Paula, ik hou van jou! I loved your podcast and hearing your complete story. Of course, you've shared much of it with me before, but in little pieces. You are truly an inspiration and your story will help so many. So glad you have the willingness to share.

[@whitneylin4297]

What a phenomenal story of letting God prevail in your life! You are a beautiful example of faith. Your faith and willingness to share will bless many!

[@pennyb298]

Thank you so much!! I’ve been. Ministering a Sister that’s also a neighbor. She has a white child and a mixed ethnicity son. Her husband is the son ‘s father and is also mixed ethnicity. This is perfectly what we have been discussing. Love penetrates through KZbin!!! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@mattmalan6]

Love this!

[@eranatangiora5021]

This is an incredibly moving story!!!

[@teresacox6107]

Love her authentic testimony and strength ❤ thank you 🙏

[@kenpearce3269]

Thanks for sharing your story! I enjoyed the slide show at the end. Keep strong! ❤

[@j.danielmarshall9791]

This podcast is so inspiring. There is a lot of love in this and a lot of encouragement for people to overcome. I love it.

[@JulieR-x7x]

Love this! Thank you for sharing your inspirational story Paula! ❤

[@millennialfalkon]

I love your love 💕 courage, faith and faithfulness Paula. So grateful for your testimony.

[@kentwelling4504]

Thank you Paula and Ashley! Thank you Paula for being so open and sharing your testimony. Thank you again Ashley for making conversations like this possible!

[@nanelf8002]

So proud of You Paultje, Love you!!

[@pachuo4192]

Thanks, Nan! Love you too ❤️

[@jencrofts3675]

Your story has enlightened my in so many ways. Thanks for sharing.

[@viviankirkham1677]

What a wonderful inspiration! Knowing that we can be authentic..honest, which is the best way. The encouragement about finding out what my path is. Thank you very much!

[@valealund9579]

Another beautiful episode! Thank you, Paula for sharing your story! Your faith is so inspiring and your message is so important! I'm grateful that we (as a church) are opening our hearts to the immensity of the human experience and recognizing that "the gospel is for everyone, no exclusions". Your story is a powerful example of how we all have access to the atonement and power of God to work through our individual trials and challenges, remembering that it isn't easy and can take a lifetime of effort. Thank you for being an inspiring example of faith and endurance!

[@enjoythejourney-823]

Thanks so much for sharing!!! I love hearing your story, and it makes me smile when I heard your message at the end! My adversity is different than yours and I have come to the exact same conclusions, evan using the same words! God is good and we are seeing His plan in action!!

[@caz2870]

Paula. You are an amazing lady who have had a journey full of experinces, only Heavenly Father could be with you throughout 💙

[@StaceyMangani]

Thank you so much for sharing your story! You’re a very cool person!

[@shantel4960]

❤

[@salustone6545]

What an inspiring story and great testimony of the scriptures. That was awesome! God speed Paula. All the best.👍💗💗💗Thank you Ashley. Love your podcast.💗💗💗🙏🙏🙏

[@deafcommunications]

Absolutely awe inspiring from beginning to end! Thank you Paula! I'm now going to check-out this podcast too!

[@pachuo4192]

Thanks, Fiona! Love you ❤

[@gwynnwhite4500]

Paula, you are truly Celestial. ❤️❤️

[@DummyForceRed]

Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful story. I'm a bisexual member of the Church and I had depression and other mental health challenges all my life. I've really struggled to feel like I'm going anywhere in good in life. But this has helped me find so much more hope for the future. Thank you so much 💗💗💗💗💗💗

[@barupp123]

Paula, I loved hearing your story! We have a connection. My daughter is married to the son of one of your sister missionary friends, Joanne Hobbs! I listen to the Come Back Podcast pretty regularly and Joanne told me I should make sure to listen to your episode! Bedankt for sharing your story. Another fun tidbit....my parents are both immigrants (to the USA), from the Netherlands. My dad was born in Arnhem and my mom was born in Zwolle. I was actually in Holland at the beginning of the month visiting some of my family in Zwolle! Hearing your beautiful Dutch accent is like listening to my wonderful Dutch family! Tot ziens!

[@pachuo4192]

Hi, thank you. I know your aunt, Jeanette! Great Joanne and her for me. ❤

[@pachuo4192]

Joanne is actually one of the sisters who got me reactivated!

[@barupp123]

@@pachuo4192 How do you know Jannette? Small world!

[@pachuo4192]

I met her when I served on temple square and she worked there.

[@lannieasiatabrown9984]

Such an incredible, inspiring and beautiful story. Paula you’re such a strong woman I’m so grateful for your story it might not for me but is for others who have experience the same thing you went through. But it’s helps me to understand that God will always provided a way, and we will find the way when we honestly seek his counsel and committed to our Heavenly Father plan.

[@donnahayes6658]

What an amazing story! Loved this❤

[@dbaileybl]

Thanks for sharing!

[@miainelom1104]

so real

[@fredflintstone3424]

What a remarkable woman, Paula, you are a heroine

[@ashleywhitlock1657]

I love Love LOVE this!

[@pachuo4192]

Love you, Ashley ❤ bedankt

[@kimhaughton3771]

Beautiful story of strength and inspiration! Of looking inward to find your peace and a relationship with Christ. Thank you for being brave enough to share. God bless!❤❤❤

[@aliceduren6542]

My favorite part about this whole story is that, ultimately, Paula says the way she overcame her struggles was by persevering and staying on the covenant path. Nothing big or grand: just obeying the commandments and doing her best. We all think there's a secret key or formula that will convert us, but honestly, it's just exercising the first principles of the gospel over and over. (Faith, repentance, baptism/ sacrament, recieving/ listening to the Holy Ghost.)

[@jessicabirkeland1580]

I love love her story!

[@FransenAnsBrouwer-cd4mc]

Paula je bent geweldig en we houden van je, Ans en Frans❤️❤️

[@pachuo4192]

Dankjewel, ik hou ook van jullie ❤️

[@williamkinikini]

I am very grateful to have heard Paula‘s wonderful story and how her testimony grew and developed throughout the years. It’s very faith inspiring.❤

[@CML95018]

❤🎉

[@mcamoeba23]

Thank you, Paula, for sharing your story. As a mother of an inaction gay son, you give me hope!

[@vonsowards1297]

I love her faith! Members who experience same-sex attraction and stay covenant keeping are beautiful! My am in a “mixed orientation” marriage and I love hearing other’s experiences and example of how it is still possible regardless of sexual orientation!

[@MJ-du3hr]

❤❤❤

[@Maren_of_Troy]

I was invited, by a friend, to watch this channel on KZbin. I think it's important to point out that both stories that LGBTQIA+ persons have shared about coming back to church are hard for me to identify with as a gay person. Also, comparing the LGBTQIA+ community to having an addiction, like drug abuse, harmful. This is who I am, not a problem or a trial I have. I was born this way and struggled a long time before I understood that I am okay. I am enough. God loves me. I cannot imagine feeling like I need to pray to be straight, as the "married gay man" in one of the other podcasts said, or that I'm not ready for certain blessings, like straight marriage. I want other LGBTQIA+ members out there to know that we all don't come back to church and get married. I cannot ever imagine myself married to a man, let alone having an intimate relationship with a man. We try, as LGBTQIA + persons, to conform to what the church and society deem is "normal". My journey is of faith to accept I'm gay, that I'm not straight, and to make a personal decision to live celebate. I accept this is my personal journey. I am gay. I have a relationship with God. I am grateful God led me back to church after being excommunicated 27 years ago. If you are LGBTQIA+, and reading this comment, know you're not alone. Know God loves and knows you. There is a reason that He created you as a gay, or trans, or non-binary person. Everyone adds a unique, personal story and perspective to this world. Every person is essential to this world journey. Healing inside doesn't mean you will find opposite sex attraction, marriage and have kids. Sometimes it's to help others to know that they're not alone, it's okay not to identify with some church members, to feel different, and to love yourself. I cannot imagine this world without the LGBTQIA+ community. God makes no mistakes. God made me gay. It's not a trial to me. It is a blessing for me. Each of us mean everything to Him.

[@pachuo4192]

Hi Maren, I am glad that you found the right way for you to live the gospel. I just shared my own story on here, because like you say, we are all different and this is my unique personal story and perspective in this world. I have a great respect for people who are able to live a celibate lifestyle! Like I said, I couldn’t. This is the way the Lord showed me. And he showed you your way. I think it’s all good, as long as we do it together with the lord. Ashly also shared a few stories of people who live celibate lifestyles. I am actually glad she is open to listen to all the ways people are enjoying the gospel.

[@jody4522]

Paula! Hi! It’s Sister Jansen! I am so excited to hear your story. It looks like you are still married to Martin! Please tell him hi for me.

[@pachuo4192]

Hi Jody, thank you so much. Yes, we are still married, I will greet him! Thanks also what you wrote to my son! Love you ❤

[@jody4522]

Oh that is so good 😊. Last I spoke to Martin several years ago, he was struggling in the ward. I tried to keep in contact with him but for reasons I can’t recall we lost contact. I am so grateful for your vulnerability in sharing your story. It is a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing. Please tell Martin I think of you both often, wondering how you are doing. This video made me want to go back to Holland so bad just to give you all a huge hug. Love you guys. I feel so blessed to have happened upon your video. It was so nice to hear how you two met. Such a fun story and so Martin to just jump to the chase and asking you to marry him😂 the same thing happened when he decided to get baptized. Such a good man. I will always feel blessed to have known you both and to have been able to served in Rotterdam. ❤️

[@francespiquemal8813]

Thank you very much for sharing. You have a beautiful spirit.

[@GrandpappyJim]

💓💓💓