"We Were Not Placed on This Earth to Walk Alone"

I've recently been reminded that there are good people in this world. This week was one of "those" weeks where every little thing seemed to go wrong. But amazing friends and family helped me a lot (you know who you are!). And then, of course, today, at the store a nice lady held the door open for me. Too bad I managed to hit my elbow on the door. I then headed to another store where I stubbed my toe on the shopping cart somehow (yes, #accidentprone). I looked down to see blood gushing. So, I hurried to the bathroom. A nice lady asked me if I was ok. I told her I was fine. She left. I was surprised when she came back with some bandaids and neosporin. It was a small act of kindness, but it touched me so much. There are good people in this world and I am so thankful. Sometimes I am so independent and stubborn, but Heavenly Father gives me trials to humble me and help me recognize I am so, so dependent on Him and my fellow brothers and sisters in this life. Thomas S. Monson said, "We were not placed on this earth to walk alone." I am learning so much that I definitely can't do it on my own! Thankfully I don't have to.

We Are Everything to God

This weekend I had the chance to do some stargazing. It was incredible. As I was staring at the sky, I just couldn't help but think of the fact that God is real. He's real and He loves me. I was reminded of my worth as a daughter of God. Which, was interesting and unexpected, but certainly welcomed.

I've struggled to feel significant at times. And you'd think looking at thousands upon thousands of stars would only add to that. But, it didn't. Somehow it made me feel more significant. I am here. I am part of God's plan. I am loved. He created all these beautiful things and all these beautiful stars, yet He knows me personally and loves me deeply.

President Uchtdorf has said,

"But even though man is nothing, it fills me with wonder and awe to think that “the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.”

And while we may look at the vast expanse of the universe and say, “What is man in comparison to the glory of creation?” God Himself said we are the reason He created the universe! His work and glory—the purpose for this magnificent universe—is to save and exalt mankind.8 In other words, the vast expanse of eternity, the glories and mysteries of infinite space and time are all built for the benefit of ordinary mortals like you and me. Our Heavenly Father created the universe that we might reach our potential as His sons and daughters.

This is a paradox of man: compared to God, man is nothing; yet we are everything to God. While against the backdrop of infinite creation we may appear to be nothing, we have a spark of eternal fire burning within our breast. We have the incomprehensible promise of exaltation—worlds without end—within our grasp. And it is God’s great desire to help us reach it." ("You Matter To Him, Oct. 2011)

I also think of Psalms 8

 3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

 4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

 5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

There's just no way God isn't real.

The Light WILL Come

For the past several (and I mean several) months, I've struggled to know the Lord's will for me. The question in my heart and mind has been, "what's next?" And honestly, not much has come at all. I've fasted. I've prayed. I've studied the scriptures. Read my patriarchal blessing. Attended my church meetings and the temple. And still, I feel lost. 

Last night as I was on a walk (and took the above picture), pondering life as I often do, the words, "Hold on. The light will come" popped into my head. (Which, funny, they are from a Michael McLean song I've heard like once in my life.) I do know that is true. I have to hold on. The light WILL come. Eventually.

I've learned so much about patience and faith the past few years of my life. It seems once again, that's what I need to do - be patient and have faith. If God made everything easy and gave us all of the answers right away, where would be the growth? 

Elder Richard G. Scott said, "This life is an experience in profound trust—trust in Jesus Christ, trust in His teachings, trust in our capacity as led by the Holy Spirit to obey those teachings for happiness now and for a purposeful, supremely happy eternal existence. To trust means to obey willingly without knowing the end from the beginning."

And so, I will wait. I will hold on. I will trust. Because I do know God loves me. He loves me enough to stretch me, to mold me, to make me wait and be patient. One day, the light WILL come. And it will be more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. 

For my Future Kids

The other night (on Mothers Day), when I should have been sleeping, I wrote a poem to my future child(ren). That was a first. It was one of those times when the words just came easily to my mind. 

I sure love my future family already! I look forward to being a wife and mother one day.

You Are Loved

"You are loved.

You are dear to your heavenly parents.

The infinite and eternal Creator of light and life knows you! He is mindful of you.

Yes, God loves you this very day and always.

He is not waiting to love you until you have overcome your weaknesses and bad habits. He loves you today with a full understanding of your struggles. He is aware that you reach up to Him in heartfelt and hopeful prayer. He knows of the times you have held onto the fading light and believed—even in the midst of growing darkness. He knows of your sufferings. He knows of your remorse for the times you have fallen short or failed. And still He loves you." -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I woke up with this quote in my head today (well, part of it. I looked the full thing up). I think it was a much needed message from Heavenly Father to me. So grateful to know I'm loved and He is aware of me.

Some Great Verses

11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

I read these verses in Hebrews chapter 6 last night and really loved them. I've probably read them before, but last night it felt like I hadn't. I guess that's why we need to read the scriptures over and over. Different things touch us in different ways at different times in our lives. 

Let Go

Ahh,yes. This is the story of my life right here. My plan was to get married ten years ago and have lots of kids right now. That wasn't in God's plan for me, apparently. I turn 29 next week and there is  currently no husband and no kids in the picture. There's not even a boyfriend or potential boyfriend in the picture at the moment.

I'm learning day-by-day that I have to let go of what I want and accept God's plan for my life. I do know He knows best. He knows what's ahead. So I'll trust Him.