Sunday, July 4, 2010

Change.

Those days when you go to church and everything in your life gets answered are the best.

My mom always says to Brad: "Patience is a virtue you DO NOT posses." And then he gets in trouble.

I always thought I was more patient than Brad. Don't get me wrong. Brad is a great kid. But he lacks patience. And with that lack of patience adds to his temper. Bad situation. I usually don't end up in those. I'm pretty mellow. And I don't really get in trouble.

Anyways....

Today I went to church. Alone. Not a big deal or anything....but I was so tired. After last night, I didn't go to bed until 2 and getting up at 8:30 didn't seem so great to me. But. I felt like I should. So I did.

I have so many questions in my mind that I want answered. And I want them to come right away. I haven't been to church in awhile because I've been traveling...so this Sunday was the first Sunday I've been to church for a month. It's also one of the few times I've been able to go to church and give my undivided attention to the speakers without Nick or Morgan interrupting.

It was seriously one of the best Testimony Meetings I've ever been to. So many people got up and bore Patriotic stories. And the little kids of course were adorable too.

The last man who got up was sobbing. He stood at the stand for awhile and then spoke for all of 3 minutes. Nothing was very long. He told the story of receiving a feeling to come to the States from Canada 4 years ago. To leave behind his great job and his family and start over in an unfamiliar place.

Since he's been in St. George, he's had 7 different jobs. They've moved twice and might have to move again. There's not the stability there was in Canada.

He and his wife went to the temple on Thursday. They have lost 6 kids before they were born. And they've wanted to know why. For 10 years. And they finally received their answer....on Thursday.

He sat there a moment and then said- "I want you to remember when you're going through a hard time- Remember (insert name here) up on the stand. It took me 10 years to get an answer to one question. I still don't know why I'm here in St. George, but I know God answers prayers. I know I'll receive an answer. Whether it's for another 6 years or 6 months, I'll get an answer."

I'm not a crybaby. But I sat in the back and sobbed.

Of course, when I went to Young Women's today, we talked about Christlike attributes from Preach My Gospel. Guess which one I was assigned to?

I have so much going on in my life now. I'm working all the time so I have enough money to go to college. There's no time for friendships or love life or anything like that. Yet, I feel like I need that stuff. I feel left out of things friends do and I kinda want a boyfriend before I leave to college. I feel like I need to fix every little thing I've ever done wrong.

But today put me in my place.

My friends don't need to see me everyday. I don't have to come to every hangout or party. They will stay my friends no matter what. And I don't need a boyfriend. Although I can't technically steady date for another 6 days...I know I need to be preparing for life on my own.

When I opened my eyes up to this today, I saw these things in my life. I saw who my friends were and how essential my family is to my life. I saw why I chose to stay in Young Women's and not go to Relief Society or to the college ward.

I also remembered it was Fast Sunday. I didn't have time for breakfast before church. But I know that this served a purpose and I needed to hear this.

My prayers have been answered.

My heart is so full....my testimony has grown so much today. I know that this gospel is a message of happiness. And I know this day has changed my life for good.

"Life is full of difficulties, some minor and others of a more serious nature. There seems to be an unending supply of challenges for one and all. Our problem is that we often expect instantaneous solutions to such challenges, forgetting that frequently the heavenly virtue of PATIENCE is required."
      - President Thomas S. Monson





2 comments:

  1. Michelle, this is a beautiful post. Its so wonderful to hear testimonies like this. and see the Gospel in action. Especially so close to home. Life really is beautiful, isn't it?

    ReplyDelete
  2. It truly is. :]
    I just love what the gospel brings into life.
    It just is so amazing.
    Kiri, you're an amazing girl!
    I'm so blessed to know you! :]

    ReplyDelete