Warning: This may be churchy :)
Tomorrow (08-18-08) Tom starts his new position at the McNeil Group in Utah. The night before he left we were talking about this experience and what lessons we have learned.
The first lesson was the importance of the promises that we made when we were baptized. Two of the promises being, to morn with those that morn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort. The minute people found out that Tom lost his job I had many, many phone calls asking how we were doing and if they could help us. Several people were handing Tom business cards trying to find him work. We found groceries on our doorstep not once but twice. We came home one night to find our neighbor standing at our door with a hot pizza. We were invited to dinner at my parents house, Tom’s sister’s house, and many friends homes. I have had several listening ears. We have received gas money from family members. The amount of hugs and words of encouragement have been more than I could have hoped for. Really, the list goes on and on.
I have learned that trials are for our own personal growth. I am not perfect and will never ever claim to be, however I feel like I have grown a lot over a small amount of time. I have learned to trust in the Lord rather than man. I have no doubt that Heavenly Father has great plans for us if we choose to obey and heed his commandments. I can honestly say that as I have been “equally yoked” to my Savior my burden has felt lighter. Yes, it is hard and heavy, the trial still remains for us to wade through, but I have had such a peace during the entire time. I am not that articulate and can’t really explain with words the love that I have felt during this time from my Father in Heaven.
We have witnessed more miracles during these past two months then we have in a lifetime. Like I mentioned earlier, we have had groceries and pizza and other wonderful things. The timing could not have been better. As I was struggling with anxiety as to what we were to do about things my answer came at the right time. I am grateful for those that listened to the promptings of the spirit and then acted upon them. I am truly humbled by their obedience and can only hope to be that good at acting upon the promptings of the spirit.
I have a strong testimony in following the counsel of our prophet. For many years the prophets have told us to get our homes in order, food storage in order, and our finances in order. I shuttered to think what would have happened if we had not listened and obeyed. We were at peace when Tom lost his job. We knew that we would be okay. Things were extremely tight, but we were just fine.
One of my favorite poems is Footprints.
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed He was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from His life. For each scene He noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonging to Him and the other to the LORD.
When the last scene of His life flashed before Him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of His life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of His life.
This really bothered Him and He questioned the LORD about it. LORD you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.
The LORD replied, my precious, precious child, I Love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.
The poem really says it all for me. I have never felt alone and really I have felt carried.
My favorite verse in “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” is this:
He lives, my kind, wise heav’nly Friend.
He lives and loves me to the end.
He lives, and while he lives, I’ll sing.
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
Only a true friend would have carried us through such a trial. My Redeemer is my best friend. My next favorite part is this:
He lives! All glory to his name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”
I cannot be more grateful for the things that I have learned. I know that I will take these lessons and use them throughout my life. I am so glad that Heavenly Father sent us this trial at this time. I needed a good lesson in humility and listening to Him. I only hope that when someone else suffers in any type of trial that I can been as helpful to them as other people have been to us.
So now, we are moving to Utah. If someone told me that I was going to be moving in May I would have started laughing. Certainly, this has come out of left field. I have no idea what lies ahead in our future. I know that it will be okay. I know that we are never alone even in an area where I know only about 3 people. Okay, maybe a little more than 3 but still not very many. I look forward to the adventure. I think I may take up some kind of winter sport. So if you see a really funny video on YouTube of some awful snowboarder falling down the mountain…I am sure it will be me!
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