The Divine Principle’s Divine Intervention

Recent Unificationist Donni Schmidt from Las Vegas shares a heartfelt testimony of finding new life in the Divine Principle and True Parents, in spite of the culture and temptations characteristic of ‘Sin City’. 

Since birth I have been witness to many things, and inherently I have been blessed with the knowledge and stories of my ancestors before me.

Until recently I had led a life that was full of many spiritual challenges, both bad and great. Feeling hopeless and defeated, I took a leap of faith with two of my three children in tow. I ventured to Las Vegas, also known as “Sin City,” a place where many flock for second and third and even fourth chances at a better life with help of the availability of many jobs and more affordable living. This, however, is a place that leads us to many temptations and distractions, especially when trying to make it a home. These are temptations I have fought and lost too many times in life and know all too well.

Yet somehow I was determined to succeed at sustaining the foundation I had set out to build.

Sitting here today is like a dream. The answers I have found to my questions of faith and the universe and the whys have all become so clear, it is like I am reborn. In fact, it is rebirth.

In five months here in Las Vegas I was blocked over and over by bad energy and elements trying to detour me from receiving this knowledge.

However, through Divine Intervention I was blessed to cross paths with Miss Katherine Duncan, my spiritual mother, who inspires me daily. We started a 100-day promise to read daily lessons out of a book called Divine Principle, which I knew nothing about but loved instantly. It was like nothing I had ever read or heard before. It was the truth!

On Day 13, we decided to attend a Sunday service. Upon arrival, I discovered my photo from Day 1 in the Announcement. Tears of joy and confirmation fell upon us both. We were witnessing the power of positivity, faith, and unity—the true works of those before that we as a society question and do not have a full understanding of.

At Sunday service we were invited to join others at a presentation and dinner at the International Peace Education Center (IPEC) of Las Vegas. The event was one I can never forget, a presentation on dining etiquette, hosted by the wonderful Mimi Morse, at which we learned the proper dining etiquette in Japan, Ethiopia, Korea, and Mexico, as well as Western etiquette. That evening yet another unexpected blessing was the arrival of Dr. Ki Hoon Kim [continental director of FFWPU North America] for dinner!

The following day (Sunday) we again were blessed with a sermon from Dr. Kim. This was followed by a Thanksgiving Day celebration, at which I—yes, ME!—got to sit across from Dr. Kim, one of the great leaders of this world, and discuss my journey in life to Las Vegas and my family.

Today I wake up giving thanks to God “The Heavenly Parent,” True Parents, and this gift called life, more excited than the day before, to see what the day brings today.