It is amazing to me how God knows His children--each and every one. He knows us personally, and is so mindful of us. If we keep our eyes open we will see the miracles that he performs to show how much He knows us individually.
Miracle #1: I was on a phone call with my dad, just catching up on our day, when he told me a story. A story of something that had just happened the day before. Now that my parents live only a few miles away from my sister, they are able to spend a lot of precious time with their grandchildren. After being outside playing, Carly decided she was done for the day. She headed back inside. My dad soon followed after her, but before he opened the door he saw something that caught him off guard. It was a snake! But all that was seen was the back half of the snake, caught between the door that Carly had just gone through and shut. This meant there had been a snake right behind Carly when she headed inside, but miraculously shut the door, not only hard enough, but fast enough that she closed the door right on the snake, killing it; keeping Carly safe from any harm.
The Lord is mindful of us. He is watching over us. We will never know what could have happened if Carly did not close the door at the precise time that she did, but I know that it was a miracle. I know that Heavenly Father knows Carly, and loves her just as He loves me. The blessings of God are there for each of us, all we need to do is accept them and we will see how much of our individual lives He really is.
28 May 2014
"Come unto me, all ye that are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
I heard a speaker this week that talked of this man who continued to go through trial after trial. He asked if God was angry with him or what he did to deserve these trials; losing everything. Another man then asked him, "How is your testimony?" The grieved man answered, "Stronger than ever."
How is it that we become stronger during times of affliction? Sometimes we actually expect hard times to just change us. I've noticed that we either give up and blame God for those times, or just simply "get through it" thnking that if we get through one we can get through another. But we don't have to just "get through it." The reason that man's testimony became stronger was because he understood that He could not get through or truly overcome any of them without the help of the Savior. During this time of hardship, he had to rely on the Savior more than ever in his life. His testimony of Jesus Christ, who is the foundation we must stand on (Helaman 5:12), became strengthened as He allowed the Lord to stand by him to hold him up.
Miracle #1: We NEVER have to be alone. This was a concept that I am still learning every day. At times I think, He is so far away, how can He help me and strengthen me? How is it he can lighten my burdens and make them light? They say that prayers are answered through other people; a concept never understood until now. After a wonderful session at the Provo Temple we were invited to my Bishops house for desserts. After being there for around 20 minutes, a group came walking in. In that group was a wonderful girl who has truly blessed my life forever. A miracle. After Bishop so kindly found a chair for me to sit on, I found myself speaking with this girl. Noticing her scrubs, I mentioned how being a nurse is a dream of mine, and that I always knew that it was a path I would one day cross. She then excitedly told me about The U's accelerated program! If you already have your Bachelor's degree, you can complete the nursing program within one school year. I cannot even describe the power of the spirit that hit me right at that moment. I could not stop thanking her for telling me about the program. Little did I know that Heavenly Father had an even greater purpose for putting her in my life.
What a miracle it was that we met, as she soon became a friend that I could rely on, find comfort in, and be strengthened by. The following Sunday she and I went on a walk for almost 3 hours. As I explained the pains and troubles I had been going through she would stop and tell me how she was going through the EXACT same things. We were able to compare hardships, and although they were different in scenario, the emotions and the solutions attached were the exact same. The heart aches we went through were the same. The pain I felt she was feeling. I truly felt that she was my Savior. I had been praying for a friend that I would be able to talk to, that would understand me and would be able to give me strength through the power of the Lord. As I have learned more of the Saviors life I know we do not have to walk alone. He is there for us. He will lead us and guide us and give us rest. The Savior loves us so much, and works in mysterious and miraculous ways.
I know that if we let ourselves draw near to Christ, he will lighten our burdens. Sometimes it feels like those burdens might be too heavy to lift, but the Atonement- the greatest miracle of them all- can take it away. We simply need to "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding" Proverbs 3:5.
What a miracle it was that we met, as she soon became a friend that I could rely on, find comfort in, and be strengthened by. The following Sunday she and I went on a walk for almost 3 hours. As I explained the pains and troubles I had been going through she would stop and tell me how she was going through the EXACT same things. We were able to compare hardships, and although they were different in scenario, the emotions and the solutions attached were the exact same. The heart aches we went through were the same. The pain I felt she was feeling. I truly felt that she was my Savior. I had been praying for a friend that I would be able to talk to, that would understand me and would be able to give me strength through the power of the Lord. As I have learned more of the Saviors life I know we do not have to walk alone. He is there for us. He will lead us and guide us and give us rest. The Savior loves us so much, and works in mysterious and miraculous ways.
I know that if we let ourselves draw near to Christ, he will lighten our burdens. Sometimes it feels like those burdens might be too heavy to lift, but the Atonement- the greatest miracle of them all- can take it away. We simply need to "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding" Proverbs 3:5.
27 February 2014
Ye Receive No Witness until After the Trial of your Faith
Me being the person that I am, often think about things WAY too much. Sometimes it can be a good thing, though. In this case, I'd say that it is good. Sometimes I'll sit and ponder looking back on my life and ask myself, "Have I actually learned from my mistakes? Have I actually become stronger because of my trials? If I went through those same trials now, would I handle them differently because of the person I am becoming (or hoping that I am becoming)." Not sure if that made any sense, but I just wonder a lot, because, we tend to make the same mistakes over and over again, so when do we finally learn? Why don't we learn, repent, and then never do it again? The more I thought about this, the more I realized how key the Atonment of Jesus Christ is in all of this. Not only the Atonement, but faith in the Atonement, knowing that if we have the desire to change, then we can. For the first time ever, I finally got a glimpse of how I can do that.
This is my first semester back at BYU from being on my mission. Two transfers before I came home I made sure to get everything sorted out for school so that on my last transfer I could really focus on finishing strong. I was in contact with my Liaisons, who then transferred me to working with my advisor in setting up my classes. I had asked him if he could set up a grad plan for me, and let me know which courses I needed to take this next semester in order to start my practicum in the fall. He sent me the list of classes, I looked them over, not recognizing the names of any of them, trust that these were right!
When you get home from a mission you expect your life to just work out so perfectly, as you hear the saying, "God takes care of His missionaries." Well, when I get into my 3-hour once a week class on THURSDAY-meaning I had already been through almost a whole week of classes-I begin recognizing all the things my teacher is teaching the class. I just think to myself, "It can't be! That course had a different name to it!" I then frantically search my computer for any and every evidence of me taking this course. My first step was looking up my transscript, but there was documentation that I had even taken this class to be found. I search through my onenotebook on my laptop and am able to find a couple of notes from the class. I then find assignments, papers, various pieces of proof.! BUT IT WAS NOT ON MY TRANSCRIPT!! Would I have to retake this class again?
Our class begins preparing for a quick activity we are going to do with the class, an activity I knew very well from having taken this class already. I notion my teacher over, and explain to her that I know I took this class with Dr. Cutri. "Oh, yes, she teaches this, too! Well, they did change a couple of the names of the courses in the past 2 years, so this could be why." AHhh, why did my advisors not catch this? Would I have to retake this class, and then realizing another that needed to be added on the list of courses I had already taken. Would I have been able to be in my practicum now if they had figured this out? Even if they find that I took these two classes, and I drop them, where am I supposed to find 6 credits worth of classes to fill in this hole! I had to have at least 14 to keep scholarship, and I would only have 9!
After going to advisement, they informed me that I would not be able to come in for another hour, so I drove over to my sister Karen's to drop something off. Driving to her house I could not contain my tears. I felt so stuck, like there was no out, and all I wanted to do was complain about it, and blame my advisors, but I knew that would not fix anything. That's when it hit me. I am growing. I am learning. I remembered that even though I had no idea how I was going to get out of this mess, Heavenly Father would. He knows ALL things. Trying to fight past my tears, I began to sing a children's hymn:
Heavenly Father, are you really there?
And do you hear and answer every child's prayer?
Some say that Heaven is far away
But I feel it close around me as I pray
Heavenly Father, I remember now,
something that Jesus told disciples long ago:
Suffer the children, to come to me.
Father in Heaven I come to thee.
Pray, He is there.
Speak, He is listening.
You are His child.
His love now surrounds you.
He hears your prayers,
He loves the children,
of such is the kindgom;
The kingdom of Heav'n.
That was my prayer. And I knew that Heavenly Father had heard it. I felt it. And He answered in ways that I could not have possibly imagined. This is where the many might miracles come in.
I return to the advisement office later that day when they inform me that they were able to find record of me taking those two courses, and that the names had been changed. That being said, they explained that I still needed to take Statistics class, and one more Religion credit to finish my generals; courses I was planning on taking in the summer. Not knowing if there would even be available spots to these courses, or get a decent professor, or if I would be able to catch up on the whole week's worth of classes I had already missed.
Miracle #1
When I get to my math class, I am trying to add in a religion course: Teachings of the Living Prophets. I felt terrible because I probably seemed so rude being on my laptop during class, but the urgency could not escape me. The only decent teacher available for this course was Prof. Newell. His ratings were not very great, but better than the other two availble professors. I click the 'add' button and it simply is not letting me add. It keeps showing me those annoying "proof that you're not a robot" things. And it kept saying that I was incorrect! How rude! I did it over and over and over again! Now having the help of classmates, and my teacher definitely does not like me at this point. It couldn't have been a worse day to sit in the front. Eventually I took my laptop and left the classroom. Trying to add it over and over again, I notice something different. I see the number 1, in a space that had the symbol " - " meaning, no spot available. Now there was a one there! I look over at who the professor is, I go to ratemyproffessor.com and He has the best ratings of any teacher for this course!! Everyone loves him! Wow. If I had gotten right into the class with Newell I would have shut my laptop and sealed the deal. But, Heavenly Father knew better.
Miracle #1a
I especially knew that he knew better when I got home from classes that day and I was explaining the whole situation to my sister Katie, on the phone. I told her how I was now taking the teachings of the living Prophets with Brother Freeman, and was really excited. When I hung up the phone, my roommate Virgdant says, "Hey, so I over heard that you're taking Brother Freeman for Teachings of the Living Prophets! That's actually who I took it with last semester! I have all of the books if you would like them!" I could not believe what I was hearing!!! I thank her over and over again, explaining that I had to add a statistics class as well to my schedule when I hear, "Oh, well, I took that last semester as well if you wanted my book." Heavenly Father watches out for His children, we must prove or be tried of our faith in Him.
Just in my Marriage and Family class that week, our teacher had talked about how if we keep asking Heavenly Father why me, we will be disctracted by all the good that is in store for us. I know this is true. If I had gone around complaining, showing no faith, I would not have recieved a witness of His love in a way that I did that day.
Miracle#1b
Being that I added these classes on Thursday, I knew I would be two days already behind in my Statistics class. For someone who has to put in more effort in school than the average Joe, I knew I would need help. I went on to Learning Suite (a site that BYU uses to help keep your courses and assignments organized. Also a way that teachers and students are all able to communicate with eachother) and saw that I could message students in my courses. I sent out a mass message explaing my situation, and if anyone would be willing to meet up with me. A couple of people responded, including one in particular. Greg Low. Of course I checked him out on Facebook to see if he looked like someone I could trust to me with, and felt comfortable. I responded back and we met up. Well we continued to meet almost every other day to study and work on our quizes together. He helped me so much understand concepts, and was so patient when I was having a hard time understanding the concepts. Well, I guess it just goes to show that the best relationships are formed by two really good friends. On Feb 10, we decided that dating was something that was worth trying. What a blessing and miracle this has been in itself.
So many miracles stemmed from a trial that I thought would be the complete opposite of a miracle. I know that when those trials come, if we just give up, unwilling to act on faith, knowing that as long as we are doing all that we can, continually acting, staying positive, and relying on the Lord, we will received a witness of God's love and his many might miracles.
This is my first semester back at BYU from being on my mission. Two transfers before I came home I made sure to get everything sorted out for school so that on my last transfer I could really focus on finishing strong. I was in contact with my Liaisons, who then transferred me to working with my advisor in setting up my classes. I had asked him if he could set up a grad plan for me, and let me know which courses I needed to take this next semester in order to start my practicum in the fall. He sent me the list of classes, I looked them over, not recognizing the names of any of them, trust that these were right!
When you get home from a mission you expect your life to just work out so perfectly, as you hear the saying, "God takes care of His missionaries." Well, when I get into my 3-hour once a week class on THURSDAY-meaning I had already been through almost a whole week of classes-I begin recognizing all the things my teacher is teaching the class. I just think to myself, "It can't be! That course had a different name to it!" I then frantically search my computer for any and every evidence of me taking this course. My first step was looking up my transscript, but there was documentation that I had even taken this class to be found. I search through my onenotebook on my laptop and am able to find a couple of notes from the class. I then find assignments, papers, various pieces of proof.! BUT IT WAS NOT ON MY TRANSCRIPT!! Would I have to retake this class again?
Our class begins preparing for a quick activity we are going to do with the class, an activity I knew very well from having taken this class already. I notion my teacher over, and explain to her that I know I took this class with Dr. Cutri. "Oh, yes, she teaches this, too! Well, they did change a couple of the names of the courses in the past 2 years, so this could be why." AHhh, why did my advisors not catch this? Would I have to retake this class, and then realizing another that needed to be added on the list of courses I had already taken. Would I have been able to be in my practicum now if they had figured this out? Even if they find that I took these two classes, and I drop them, where am I supposed to find 6 credits worth of classes to fill in this hole! I had to have at least 14 to keep scholarship, and I would only have 9!
After going to advisement, they informed me that I would not be able to come in for another hour, so I drove over to my sister Karen's to drop something off. Driving to her house I could not contain my tears. I felt so stuck, like there was no out, and all I wanted to do was complain about it, and blame my advisors, but I knew that would not fix anything. That's when it hit me. I am growing. I am learning. I remembered that even though I had no idea how I was going to get out of this mess, Heavenly Father would. He knows ALL things. Trying to fight past my tears, I began to sing a children's hymn:
Heavenly Father, are you really there?
And do you hear and answer every child's prayer?
Some say that Heaven is far away
But I feel it close around me as I pray
Heavenly Father, I remember now,
something that Jesus told disciples long ago:
Suffer the children, to come to me.
Father in Heaven I come to thee.
Pray, He is there.
Speak, He is listening.
You are His child.
His love now surrounds you.
He hears your prayers,
He loves the children,
of such is the kindgom;
The kingdom of Heav'n.
That was my prayer. And I knew that Heavenly Father had heard it. I felt it. And He answered in ways that I could not have possibly imagined. This is where the many might miracles come in.
I return to the advisement office later that day when they inform me that they were able to find record of me taking those two courses, and that the names had been changed. That being said, they explained that I still needed to take Statistics class, and one more Religion credit to finish my generals; courses I was planning on taking in the summer. Not knowing if there would even be available spots to these courses, or get a decent professor, or if I would be able to catch up on the whole week's worth of classes I had already missed.
Miracle #1
When I get to my math class, I am trying to add in a religion course: Teachings of the Living Prophets. I felt terrible because I probably seemed so rude being on my laptop during class, but the urgency could not escape me. The only decent teacher available for this course was Prof. Newell. His ratings were not very great, but better than the other two availble professors. I click the 'add' button and it simply is not letting me add. It keeps showing me those annoying "proof that you're not a robot" things. And it kept saying that I was incorrect! How rude! I did it over and over and over again! Now having the help of classmates, and my teacher definitely does not like me at this point. It couldn't have been a worse day to sit in the front. Eventually I took my laptop and left the classroom. Trying to add it over and over again, I notice something different. I see the number 1, in a space that had the symbol " - " meaning, no spot available. Now there was a one there! I look over at who the professor is, I go to ratemyproffessor.com and He has the best ratings of any teacher for this course!! Everyone loves him! Wow. If I had gotten right into the class with Newell I would have shut my laptop and sealed the deal. But, Heavenly Father knew better.
Miracle #1a
I especially knew that he knew better when I got home from classes that day and I was explaining the whole situation to my sister Katie, on the phone. I told her how I was now taking the teachings of the living Prophets with Brother Freeman, and was really excited. When I hung up the phone, my roommate Virgdant says, "Hey, so I over heard that you're taking Brother Freeman for Teachings of the Living Prophets! That's actually who I took it with last semester! I have all of the books if you would like them!" I could not believe what I was hearing!!! I thank her over and over again, explaining that I had to add a statistics class as well to my schedule when I hear, "Oh, well, I took that last semester as well if you wanted my book." Heavenly Father watches out for His children, we must prove or be tried of our faith in Him.
Just in my Marriage and Family class that week, our teacher had talked about how if we keep asking Heavenly Father why me, we will be disctracted by all the good that is in store for us. I know this is true. If I had gone around complaining, showing no faith, I would not have recieved a witness of His love in a way that I did that day.
Miracle#1b
Being that I added these classes on Thursday, I knew I would be two days already behind in my Statistics class. For someone who has to put in more effort in school than the average Joe, I knew I would need help. I went on to Learning Suite (a site that BYU uses to help keep your courses and assignments organized. Also a way that teachers and students are all able to communicate with eachother) and saw that I could message students in my courses. I sent out a mass message explaing my situation, and if anyone would be willing to meet up with me. A couple of people responded, including one in particular. Greg Low. Of course I checked him out on Facebook to see if he looked like someone I could trust to me with, and felt comfortable. I responded back and we met up. Well we continued to meet almost every other day to study and work on our quizes together. He helped me so much understand concepts, and was so patient when I was having a hard time understanding the concepts. Well, I guess it just goes to show that the best relationships are formed by two really good friends. On Feb 10, we decided that dating was something that was worth trying. What a blessing and miracle this has been in itself.
So many miracles stemmed from a trial that I thought would be the complete opposite of a miracle. I know that when those trials come, if we just give up, unwilling to act on faith, knowing that as long as we are doing all that we can, continually acting, staying positive, and relying on the Lord, we will received a witness of God's love and his many might miracles.
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