I am hours away from going back to my beloved city of Nauvoo to finish my time serving as a missionary. These past 6 months have been filled with special experiences for me. I have been through ups and downs (as every individual does). However, as I look back at my more trying times, I see how those experiences have refined me to more than I thought I could ever be. I was reading a talk the other day that mentioned something along the lines of, "Experiencing trials doesn't mean that God doesn't love you. It just means that He trusts you to grow". I'm so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who loves me enough that He patiently listens to my complaints, and lets me throw my "why me?" pity parties, and waits for me to come to my senses; and once I do, and I realize how He only had my best interest in mind all along, He never tells me, "I told you so". Instead, He encircles me with love and brings me hope. He reminds me that, even if I were the only person ever to be born, He would have given the gift of His Only Begotten Son. I feel so blessed for the privilege I have had to stand as a representative and special witness of Christ. As such, I decided that it would only be fitting to have my last mission blog include my testimony.
I know God lives. I know He is my loving Heavenly Father. I know that we can come to Him in prayer. I know that prayers are always heard and answered- someway, somehow. Miracles still happen. I have seen them in my life. I know that the Savior, Jesus Christ lived, suffered, died and rose again for us. The Atonement is not only for my sins and mistakes, but to uplift me, strengthen me, and bring me hope. The Savior knows my joys, sorrows, sufferings, feelings and desires. He know what makes me laugh. He accepts all of me: the silly part, the cranky part, the spunky part, the clumsy part and all the parts in between. He doesn't even think me weird when I talk to myself or make myself laugh. As I have let Him help me in my life, He has helped me.
I know that a loving Heavenly Father doesn't want His children to be confused and lost in this crazy world. He has given us direction through a living prophet who receives revelation and has authority to teach the same Gospel Christ taught when He was on the Earth. If we listen and follow His words, we will find true happiness. I know that Families can be bound together for time and eternity. With the priesthood authority from Christ, that vital and wonderful relationship doesn't end with the pronouncement, "Til death do you part".
I know we can grow closer to God as we study His words. I know the Bible to be the word of God. I know the Book of Mormon is another testament of Christ that double testifies of the truths found in the Holy Bible. I love the Book of Mormon. I'm grateful that I can rely on a God who is constant today, yesterday and forever. I wouldn't be able to rely on a God who changes His mind or doesn't keep His promises. He directed His children during Biblical times and that direction sure hasn't stopped there.
He loves me. I love Him. He has a plan for me and all of His children. To know of that plan all He asks of us is to ask. I have asked for myself and I have come to know these things are true. Because they are true, I feel like rejoicing! I have purpose, direction and meaning to my life. And what a beautiful life it has been as I've come to learn these truths!
Thank you everyone for reading my blog! I wish I could keep updating it in Nauvoo. I guess I'll have to back track once I get home, and share those experiences later.
May God be with you til we meet again! I send my love to all!
