Week #51: Trials Bring Gratitude

My heart is SO full of gratitude today. So many happy things to be grateful for!!!

First of all. Let's talk about General Conference. 

WHOA. Why can't it be General Conference ALL the time?! So much love!!! I was overcome by the spirit as I sat in a quiet chapel, surrounded by missionaries and investigators listening to the words of the Lord. So many things touched my heart, deepened my understanding, and confirmed to me that this truly is the path we need to be on. I was filled with wonder and awe at the council given, and the testimonies shared. I desperately needed the sweet spirit of conference this weekend. Oh, what a blessing!

This week has been a rough one for me. Lots of little things adding up, weighing me down, and dragging me along. We did service last saturday morning (i think I wrote about it last week) and had gotten bit by a bug which turned into not a very good thing! It ended up swelling to the size of a golf ball, and was as red as a cherry tomato about the size of a penny. It was SO painful. I had to go to the doctor (bblleehhhhh) and got some antibiotics! Dr. Kent was a little concerned, but luckily the meds have been working wonders! It's gone down a TON and isn't red anymore. YAY!!

I also got hit with the sick bug this week. It's been going around everyone out here... and finally hit me. Hard. It's been a struggle, but I'm still keepin on! There's no time to slow down!! I'm hoping and praying I'm on the uphill swing of things now... but we'll see.

Sadly, we won't be having any baptisms this weekend. Our investigators are really struggling right now, and we're really really sad about that! They are all incredible. I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to work with such inspiring people. They'll get the blessings of baptism soon. :) It's all in the Lord's timing!

Little frustrations have filled this week, but I have continually focused on being grateful. It's the cure for everything. I am SO SO SO GRATEFUL. Heavenly Father is SO good to me. I don't deserve it most of the time. 

Also, HUGE shoutout to the almost Elder Holmes as he leaves for the MTC this week! My love for that kid is beyond words. Buddy, WELCOME TO THE WORK! :) 

Also, another huge shout out to MADI!!! the almost Sister Holmes the second! ;) I am overwhelmed with excitement for Argentina to get two of my favorite people in the entire world!!!

What a beautiful peace the gospel brings!

As I sat and listened to the tender talk Elder Bednar gave, I was filled with happiness and a joy that I was serving a mission. He quoted sweet Elder Scott that said "When you cannot do what you have always done, you only do what matters most." 

How true that statement is!

I feel like that is the definition of my mission. I was once the person doing things that I loved, things I was good at, and things I chose, but then I was set apart to do the most important thing, and I couldn't be happier. 

I love ALL OF YOU!!! 

really. so much love.

Sister Holmes :)

 

Wk# 22: A Life Changing Baptism!

What an unforgettable week.

 

We have been able to see Archie everyday for the past few weeks as he has been preparing to be baptized, and it has been quite the beautiful journey. As we have taught him, listened to him, and watched him grow, I have been able to truly witness a change in heart. 

Friday afternoon Sister Rohwer and I got a call from Archie and Karen wondering if we could come see them later on that evening, of course we agreed and ended the conversation. When we got there, Archie was definitely having a hard time. Very small things were making him extremely upset, he wasn't excited for his baptism, and he was far from happy. Satan was workin pretty darn hard. So, we sat down on his front porch and started talking to him. This was one of the most powerful lessons I have ever been a part of. He recognized that Satan was doing all he could to keep Archie from being baptized. Archie told us that Satan told him to go buy a new pot for his coffee, to not show up to the baptism, and kept trying to get him to lose his temper. On top of that, their house ended up having a massive water leak.

Sister Rohwer and I honestly could not tell you what we told him that night, what our conversation was about, or what we were doing, but the spirit was definitely present and leading the conversation. We read a few baptism scriptures, encouraged him, and went inside to say a kneeling prayer. (The prayers that are really spiritual? He calls them heavy prayers. haha) So we experienced a heavy prayer with them, and he was a changed man. The happy ole Archie that was excited to be baptized. He told us "Satan ain't gon' win!" haha We ended up going to get a pre-baptism celebration treat and ending the night off with some laughs. 

Then Saturday morning rolled around.

We wake up, get ready, and head out the door. We get to the church, start filling up the font, and in walks Archie Brown. :) He went and put his baptism suit on, and tears. Instant tears for this sister! He was SO excited and so ready. We listened to some church music, talked, and soaked in the spirit. We took pictures outside and waited for everyone to come. Well, we had quite the crowd there! So many people came to support him, and it was amazing! He was so funny. When he walked into the font, he plugged his nose and tried to dunk himself (he got confused) and then everyone laughed and he laughed at himself. haha Then, when he came out of that water, he was truly a changed man. The biggest grin I had ever seen on a human. Again, tears. Okay. I had a constant flow of tears ALL MORNING. (That made playin the piano fun... haha) 

It was the most special, spiritual baptism I have ever been a part of. I am beyond grateful that out of the 200+ missionaries in the FTM, the thousands upon thousands of missionaries in the world, and that have ever served, Heavenly Father trusted Sister Rohwer and I to be an instrument in His hands to work with Archie. My life has forever been changed. As I've watched a grumpy man, hard hearted against the gospel, come to apply the Atonement in his life, come to know the truth, and gain a testimony, I have been humbled and have felt a little piece of Heavenly Father's love for him.

He is now 100 times happier than I have ever seen him. A COMPLETELY changed man. And I am a completely changed Sister.

Sister Rohwer and I have also had many wonderful memories made this week! We may or may not have taken a turtle on a bike ride and taken it home.. and we may or may not have tried to feed it golden raisins. haha We've enjoyed the gorgeous sunny weather, read our scriptures outside, and laughed until we've cried and ALMOST peed.

We also get to stay in Callaway together for another transfer! WE ARE THRILLED. She's more than just my sister in the gospel, and I am SO grateful for the opportunity I have to continue serving with her!

I love ya'll, and I appreciate each prayer said on my behalf and the prayers said for Archie. I've definitely felt them and seen them this week.

Ps- IT'S ALMOST CONFERENCE TIME!

Love,

Sister Holmes :)

Week #6: I made it to the bathroom... a couple of times...

 Wade Holmes family and Scott Holmes family - you will appreciate this email title... but before I get into THAT...

HAPPY 1 MONTH TO ME! Can you believe I've been out a month and 2 days already?! I can't! Time is flyin! 

Dad, I got your package on Saturday... THANK YOU! It was like Christmas morning. haha I told Sister Charles, "I bet there are gold fish in here..." I was right :) so thank you thank you.

This week has been..... quite interesting. 

We had Zone Training which was so much fun. I was able to see a few of my Elders from the MTC and catch up with them which was so great! Plus, I learned so much. It was such a great experience. Then after training, a group of us sisters went out to lunch! I was excited until I realized where we were going... lo and behold, I tried Vietnamese food. haha nnoott my fave. The noodles were weird as crap, and the sauce I found out was Fish Sauce. Whatever the heck that means. But I was a big girl and tried it, and ate... most of it. 

 

I gained the nickname of Agatha out here from one of the member familes. I was like Agatha?! Why Agatha? He said "Because you just look like a little Agatha!" I laughed. Who comes up with a name like that?! The Moya's are an amazing family though. They have two little girls and they are the SWEETEST. They are 4 and 6 and the cutest little girls ever. They are one of my favorite families out here.

We were out biking around, talking to people the other day and came upon a man named Walter. He was super friendly, fun to talk to, and super interesting. As we were talking to him, he let us know that he knew a lot about our church, had a Book of Mormon, and had talked to many missionaries before. He wasn't interested in learning more, but this is what he said to us. "Don't you give up. People need you, they really do. You guys are doing amazing things whether you realize it or not. Your job isn't easy, but keep your head up. You keep going. You are bringing happiness to so many lives." He told us these things for a good 5 minutes, and it was just what I needed to hear. He was so awesome and I just love him. He told us to come back and say hi anytime. :) 

Speaking of biking.... it happened. We got caught in a rain storm! We were SOAKED when we got home and had a whoppin 20 minutes to dry off, change, and get re-ready for our dinner appointment. I had been nauseous all day, so I was trying to keep my mind off of that and be ready on time. 

 

(Scott and Wade Family... get ready... haha)

So we are driving to a recent converts house for dinner. We LOVE them and have eaten there before, and teach them every week. They live about 25-30 minutes away. So we're driving, and I am getting sicker and sicker. I'm praying the entire way there that I will be able to make it through dinner and the lesson before I get sick. So, we get there, sit down to eat, and I knew I was going to struggle. She had made green chili chicken enchiladas and just the smell was making me sick. I usually love enchiladas, and they tasted pretty good, but with every bite I was like oh no... oh no. D (the lady) turned and asked me if I didn't like it, and I felt so bad, but I told her that I just wasn't feeling well. She understood. Well THEN, she brings out the pumpkin pie. Yay! Right? Not this time. It didn't look like normal pumpkin pie (is it supposed to be greenish??) and it was warm. I had asked for a sliver but she so kindly gave me a normal piece. I took a few bites and just couldn't do it. I was SO sick. 

We went into the living room to teach them the lesson, and I went to the bathroom. Yep. Kneeling over the toilet praying that I would at least make it until the other Sisters came to pick us up. I felt a little better, so I went back out. We were teaching W. about the Priesthood, but I honestly couldn't tell ya what was even said. I was so focused on not throwing up. Well we waited and waited for the sisters to get there and finally we called them to see where they were. They were doing exchanges and hadn't even left yet... they were going to be another 30-45 minutes. I instantly panicked. There was no way I could make it that long. I was sweating, light headed, and it was no bueno. I turned to Sister Charles and suggested that we call a member that lived close by to see if she could pick us up. She handed me the phone and told me to call, 

so I took it, went into the kitchen and sat on the chair where I could still see her. 

I call... "Hi Sister L., it's the sisters. We have a huge favor to ask!" Right then, my hand flew up to my mouth and I looked at Sister Charles. Uh oh. and then... out of no where... BOOM. I was throwing up. I ran to the kitchen sink, all while Sister L is on the other end of the line "What's going on?! Are you girls okay?! Hello?? HELLO? What's happening!" I couldn't answer her because I was a little... preoccupied... and in my head I was yelling to Sister Charles to come take the phone. She finally did, gave Sister L the address that we were at, I finished my loving throwing up, turned around, and I about died. I had pulled a Hunter. I left a lovely trail of throw up across their ENTIRE KITCHEN. I. Was. MORTIFIED. It was all over their floor, their sink, in my shoe, all over my top. You guys. Most embarrassing moment of my life. And that's saying something! I told them I would clean it up (they are old. W is 83...) so they gave me the rags, and there I was. Scrubbing my own throw up off of the member's kitchen floor. Gosh. haha I cleaned it all up, mopped, and apologized at least a dozen times. I felt so bad. They felt bad that I was sick. I wanted to run far away from there. Luckily, Sister L had just showed up, so we said our goodbyes, I left a few more apologies, and headed out to the truck. We get out there and told Sister L what had happened, and she was beyond relieved. "Well, I brought my gun just in case! The safety is off and everything! I was ready for whatever ya'll needed!" We laughed so hard. haha Poor Sister L. 

We got home, I put my clothes in the washer, took a shower, and just sat on the floor almost in tears and also laughing that that had actually just happened. I had just thrown up ALL OVER their kitchen. What the heck. 

Sister Charles also got the bug and we were both up all night long. We didn't go to church yesterday, and the Elders offered to come give us blessings. So they did, and we both woke up this morning feeling much better. Still a little iffy, but we can actually get out and do stuff today. 

But yeah. So that happened on my 1 month mark day. hahaha MY LIFE. I keep telling Sister Charles that I'm pretty sure W & D are never going to feed us again. 

Anyway, on a different note, IT HIT 33* THIS WEEK. I thought Florida was supposed to be warm?! What the crap! Whoever said it doesn't get cold here (cough cough DAD) doesn't know what they are talking about! ;) 

 

It's been a good week, and even though I've been sick like my entire mission so far, "bringing souls unto Christ is never too demanding." 

My favorite scripture this week is Ether 12:6. After your trials, the long bumpy roads, and the disappointment, THEN you will see the blessings. Keep the faith and the blessings will follow.

Also, there are churches on every corner here, and on one of the signs it said "7 days without God makes 1 weak." I loved that. Always keep God near, turn to him in happy time and times of trial. Get to know him, and let him into your heart.

I love you all! I appreciate all the prayers and support on my behalf. I definitely feel them. I wouldn't be here without you. And thanks for the letters! Keep 'em comin! 

 

Love from the South,

Sister Holmes :)

F A R E W E L L

Sunday, October 19, 2014

On a Thursday in May, I was sitting at work. It had been extremely slow that day, and I so badly wanted to be outside. The sun was shining, and oh how I wanted to be soakin it up! Usually, on days like this, my mind was drowning in my own thoughts. So much was going on in my life, and my mind was always jumping from thought to thought. this day was different though. My mind was totally clear. I remember thinking to myself how nice it felt to not be overwhelmed with the things in my head. I closed my eyes for just a second to tell myself I could make it to the end of the day, and that's when it happened. the spirit struck me to my core, and I was frozen in shock.

"It's time to serve a mission."

The age change was made in the fall of 2012. I had just graduated high school a few months prior, and was attending my first semester of college. It would have been the prime time for me to serve. I didn't have anything holding me back, my friends were all leaving, and I had always wanted to serve a mission. So, I prayed. I prayed, and I prayed, and I prayed.I never received an answer which was super frustrating. I needed to know so I could know whether or not to register for school the next semester, because that's not something you can just put off. Weeks passed, and I still had not received an answer I talked with my bishop, institute teachers, and tried to relieve the frustration. After months, I realized that I was not supposed to serve a mission at that time. So life went on, and I slowly forgot about serving. And in fact, I didn't want to anymore. The desire was gone, and I was content with how my life was. Every once in a while a fleeting thought would cross my mind, but I would quickly push it aside. It wasn't something I wanted to do anymore.

In the middle of all this, my life got flipped upside down as my family was hit with a life changing trial. I fell into a dark place, and felt like I had lost a little bit of myself. This was another reason that I pushed the thought of a mission away. I felt that there was no way I could leave. I needed to be here with my family. A mission was the last thing I could do.

Have you ever wondered if there was a way to avoid misery? A way to relieve sorrow? Because I did. I wondered it quite often. I'm a very optimistic person, and I always have been. I've always been able to seek out the positive in every situation. But all the sudden I couldn't, and it was really hard for me, because that's not who I was. I couldn't find the strength to find positivity, and it was a difficult thing. It was here, in my darkest time that my Savior became my best friend, and I learned the cure to hopelessness and misery.

Larry Richmond said, "We know that the trials of this life will ultimately lead to joy if we patiently trust in God's plan and discover how to use adversity to grow stronger." So, how do we do that? How do we turn a negative situation, a bad outcome, or an unexpected change into a positive, growing experience? Albert E. Cliffe said to "Stop thinking about how tough life is, stop thinking about the future and the past, think of God's riches and love, and express these thoughts daily. You will become what you think."

So often we take for granted the blessings of life. We fall into a pattern of going to the Lord only in times of need, which is okay to do, but how often do we turn to the Lord in gratitude? Do we take enough time to sincerely thank our Heavenly Father for the things He has given us? I once heard the question "What if what you thanked the Lord for last night was all you were given today?" Think about that... If all you had right now were the things you expressed your gratitude for last night, what would you have? Would you have anything?

Sister Bonnie D. Parkin shared that "Gratitude is a spirit-filled principle. It opens our minds to a universe permeated with the richness of a living God. Through it, we become spiritually aware of the wonder of the smaller things, which gladden our hearts with their messages of God's love. This grateful awareness heightens our sensitivity to divine direction. When we communicate gratitude, we can be filled with the spirit and connected to those around us and the Lord. Gratitude inspires happiness and carries divine influence. "Live in thanksgiving daily," said Amulek, "for the many mercies and blessings come in different forms--sometimes as hard things. yet the Lord said, "Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things--not just some things. He has commanded us to be grateful because He knows being grateful will make us happy.

To me, gratitude is more than just an attribute. It is a lifestyle and a choice of happiness. As I was struggling through the things with my family, I made a conscious decision to be grateful for my trial. I chose to take a step back and recognize that I was not alone, that God had a plan specifically for me. I chose to trust and to find the positive, no matter how hard it was.

It's so easy to lose yourself to pain, to stress, to frustration. And it's easy to let trials pile on top of each other. But if we can change our mindset to find the positive, our trials will become easier to recognize as blessings. If you think about it, being grateful is one of the easiest things to do. If I asked you to think of three things you were grateful for, I'm sure you could quickly list them off. Whether it be your family, your ward, your neighbors, a friend, there is always something to be grateful for.

Marion G. Romney shared that "Gratitude is defined as a feeling of thankful appreciation for favors or benefits received. Gratitude is a sign of a noble soul. It has been said that an ungrateful man is like a hog under a tree, eating acorns but never looking up to see where they come from."

So, as I was sitting alone in the quiet store that Thursday, almost two whole years after the age change was made, you can imagine my shock when that prompting came. Tight smack dab in the middle of the hardest time of my life. i made an appointment with the bishop for that Sunday, and let me tell you. It was the longest few days of my life. I prated the entire drive there that I wouldn't chicken out. How bad is that! But as I sat in the bishop's office, I saw the Savior in his eyes, and every ounce of love, comfort, hope, and motivation that the universe possibly had, had filled the room. And I knew, without a shadow of a doubt that this was what I needed to be doing. I caught a glimpse of the light at the end of the dark tunnel I was in.

In the book Believing Christ by Stephen E. Robinson he says that "Too many of us expend our precious energy worrying about our relative times instead of keeping our eyes on the goal, putting one foot in front of the other, and enduring to the end." That was me. I had been focused on the now instead of the ultimate goal. This was the spiritual push I needed to help me out of that hole. I needed to recognize the Lord's hand in my life. I needed to focus on my spiritual self, and prepare. I turned to the Lord in all things, like Sister Parkins shared. I found happiness once again, my heart became overwhelmed with gratitude as family and friends showed concern, love and support, and when the Lord continued to bless me and carry me through my trials. I openly expressed my gratitude, and strived to do so more often. I made it a goal to say a heartfelt prayer of gratitude each time I felt thankful for something. Sometimes it was the sunny weather, the leaves changing, an unexpected text from a friend. I can truly say that it changed my life for the better.

President Eyring said that "To be happy and to avoid misery, we must have a grateful heart. We have seen in our lives the connection between gratitude and happiness. All of us would like to feel gratitude, yet it is not easy to be consistently grateful in all things in the trials of life. Our sorrows can make it hard to see our blessings and to appreciate the blessings God has in store for us in the future...We all can make the choice to give thanks in prayer and to ask God for direction to serve others for Him. Giving thanks in prayer can allow us to see the magnitude of these blessings and all o four other blessings and to receive the gift of a more grateful heart."

I challenge you to make it a goal to have a more grateful heart, to go out of your way to recognize the things you are grateful for, and I promise you that you will be happier, and be able to better recognize the blessings in your life.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve a mission, and to share my gratitude with the people of Florida. I'm excited to teach them, and to help them recognize the blessings in their lives. I'm grateful for the atonement and the healing power it has. I'm grateful for the supportive people that surround me and love me. I wouldn't be who I am today if it wasn't for them! I'm grateful for my family, for pushing me to be my best and for loving me unconditionally. I'm grateful for this gospel, and every aspect of it. The standards, commandments, teachings, and love it provides. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ, and I'm beyond grateful for the blessings that I have.

I say these things, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Heartache and Hope

At the beginning of November in 2013, I sat in my bedroom putting away laundry. It was a good day, I suppose. Nothing exciting had happened, nothing special, but it was good. My brother knocked on my door and came in. "Mom wants to talk to us."

You know when your gut somehow knows when something bad is going to happen? As soon as I heard those words I got sick. These weren't uncommon words, it was a sentence I had heard countless times. So why did I feel this way? I slowly walked up the stairs to find both my parents sitting on the couch, and the rest of my siblings sitting throughout the living room. I took a seat next to my little sister on the floor against the wall, and began to listen.

I began listening to something I had feared for a long time. Something I thought would never actually happen. Something I had hoped to never understand or experience. Sobs became a background noise as I fell into a hole of emotion. Maybe I felt sick because buried in my heart I knew it would happen. Maybe I felt that way to prepare for heartache. Either way, I entered into a world of pain and anger; confusion and a sense of responsibility for my siblings.

It's not something I like to talk about, and I don't very often. It's still a hard topic and I'm still learning to adjust, but it has impacted my life and because of that I would like to share my journey of heartache and hope.

"The effects of divorce unquestionably can be damaging, but they do not need to be crippling. You can overcome the pain and suffering, though you may feel the situation has been devastating. You can regroup, learn, and grow." - Children of Divorce By Elaine Walton

Days were spent in my room, alone. I didn't want to be around anyone, I didn't want to talk to anybody, and I especially didn't want to look at my parents. I felt like I had no where to go. Each one of my friends lived thousands of miles away, spread out among the world. My family was an uncomfortable option, and my siblings...  I wanted to be with my siblings, tell them it would be okay, but I couldn't. I didn't have the strength, and I didn't even know for myself if it would all work out. I wanted to be strong for them, but I couldn't find it in me. I was numb, I was angry, and I was lost. I didn't want to attend family parties in fear that they would ask how I was. I didn't want to leave the house in fear I would run into someone who would ask how the family was doing, not knowing of the current situation. So, I silently stayed in my room, coming out for short amounts of time and for specific things. I knew I had two options. I could either take a negative path, or a positive one. And I'm proud to say that I chose the positive. Here, in my darkest time, my Heavenly Father became my best friend.

Days seemed like lifetimes as I waited for the sun to fall onto the horizon. I waited for the moment I could go to sleep. The moment I could escape reality and enter a world of peace and oblivion. I wished that maybe my reality was a dream, and that I'd wake up and realize that all was right once again. But without fail, morning came again, and I was woken up to the harsh reality that things were never going to be the same.



Luckily I had an amazing bishop who was concerned and helped me immensely. He gave me amazing council, and answered many questions that I had. He understood, and he became my go to guy. I was so concerned about my eternal family. How does divorce actually work? I had family members who had been through it, but now that I was experiencing it first hand, I was afraid. I was the oldest of four kids, and I felt a glimpse of parental love for them. They became my number one concern, and I needed to help myself before I could help them.

I prayed, I studied, and somehow I climbed the hill of emotion; dug my way out of a deep, dark hole. I had love pouring out all around me. Texts flew in from cousins, aunts, uncles, my grandparents. My missionaries gave me amazing spiritual council, and hope began filling my soul.

In the talk Children of Divorce  by Elaine Walton that I quoted previously, she goes on to list steps of healing.

"Trust in the Lord. Heavenly Father is mindful of each of us in a very personal way, and His divine plan includes a way for us to overcome the effects of opposition and enjoy eternal blessings. There is great wisdom in the Lord’s counsel to the Prophet Joseph Smith during a time of severe persecution: “Be still and know that I am God” (D&C 101:16; see D&C 101:12–18). Talk to your Church leaders and close friends about their relationship to God. Read the scriptures and words of the Brethren, pondering and praying sincerely. Reread your patriarchal blessing, remembering that the Lord has great blessings in store for you. Exercise and increase your faith in God and in the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Develop trust in friends and family. Your trust in a divine plan can generate trust in those around you who may be less than perfect yet are children of God. Through Christlike charity, we can learn to love people despite some imperfections. There is no comfort in freedom from heartache gained at the cost of freedom from loving others. Trust and disappointment are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

Forgive your parents. Don’t let your parents’ mistakes be your excuses for error. Don’t be misled by barren statistics; for every child who followed the path of a misguided parent, you can find one who didn’t, going all the way back to Abraham, whose father was willing to see him sacrificed to an idol (see Abr. 1:5–7).

Repent of your own wrongdoings and forgive yourself. If you grew up in a home where people were hurt, you may have picked up some harmful behaviors and caused pain to others. You can repent of this once you come to understand your mistakes. The needed repentance for such mistakes is not so much about assignment of blame or self-flagellation as it is about making amends for the hurt, where possible.

Learn to choose. Your individual accountability and agency empower you to choose, and you need not be imprisoned by damaging family patterns or relationships. You have the right to say no to manipulation or degradation, and it is not your responsibility to keep everyone happy, particularly if they are determined to persist in unproductive or morally unacceptable behavior. When divorce has occurred, find in the new family structure a way of developing healthier and more enjoyable traditions and patterns for your own life and the family you will create by marriage.

Acquire new interpersonal skills. Taking charge of your life is one of many skills such as communication, joint problem solving, and conflict resolution that are learned, not inherited. Don’t be afraid to take a class, attend a seminar, or seek counseling to develop more effective and rewarding interpersonal relationships. But be careful; the training process in acquiring new skills should fit comfortably within the guidelines of the Church. Be in tune with the promptings of the Holy Ghost to know if the schooling and counseling you are receiving are appropriate. In fact, there is no better schooling than the guidance of that still, small voice as you try prayerfully and lovingly to apply the teachings of the Master in your interactions with others.

Identify compensating factors in your life. Every family has strengths. Every environment has supportive resources. Instead of focusing only on losses or problems, find out what is good about your family and what resources are available to you. For example, let yourself be open to receiving help and comfort from extended family members or friends who may be uniquely qualified as mentors. After spending time with an aunt and uncle who were obviously happy, one young woman realized for the first time that a happy marriage is possible. She said, “Somebody in my family actually pulled it off!”

The Promised Hope

Faithful Latter-day Saints are not disadvantaged eternally because of their parents’ missteps. President Ezra Taft Benson’s promise to a family of divorce makes that abundantly clear: “Please note that a cancellation of sealing of a wife to her husband does not affect children born in the covenant or previously sealed. Such children are entitled to birthright blessings, and if they remain worthy, are assured the right and privilege of eternal parentage regardless of what happens to their natural parents or the parents to whom they were sealed.” ⁷

Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles underscores that promise: “I testify that with unimaginable suffering and agony at an incalculable price, the Savior earned His right to be our Intermediary, our Redeemer, our Final Judge. Through faith in Him and receipt of the requisite ordinances and covenants, you will earn your right to the blessings of eternal marriage made possible through His infinite Atonement.” ⁸

Children of Divorce By Elaine Walton     

Silly things would make me emotional. Movies with divorced parents, seeing an old family friend who didn't know yet, hearing the song Families can be Together Forever, memories, simple things that never bothered me were now things I tried to avoid. Family pictures, home videos, knowing we wouldn't be all together very often, and when we were it wouldn't be the same.

I've had to cope, adjust, and learn in a whole new way. New houses, new routines, new everything. It's been hard, but I've had to keep in mind that the Lord has a bigger plan, He knows my pain, and He knows how to heal.

PC - Mark Mabry - Reflections of Christ

                      

"Our Savior knows the heart of each of us. He knows the pains of our hearts. If we seek the truth, develop faith in Him, and, if necessary, sincerely repent, we will receive a spiritual change of heart which only comes from our Savior. Our hearts will become new again.

As we put our faith and trust in the Lord, we must battle our pain day by day and sometimes hour by hour, even moment by moment; but in the end, we understand that marvelous counsel given to the Prophet Joseph Smith as he struggled with his pain of feeling forgotten and isolated in Liberty Jail:

“My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

“And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes” (D&C 121:7–8).

My dear brothers and sisters, when pain, tests, and trials come in life, draw near to the Savior. “Wait upon the Lord, … look for him” (Isa. 8:17; 2 Ne. 18:17). “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isa. 40:31). Healing comes in the Lord’s time and the Lord’s way; be patient.

Our Savior waits for us to come to Him through our scripture study, pondering, and prayer to our Heavenly Father. Great blessings and lessons come from overcoming adversity. As we are strengthened and healed, we can then lift and strengthen others with our faith. May we be instruments in the Lord’s hands in blessing the lives of those in pain. I give you my testimony that God lives and that Jesus is the Christ and that He waits for us to come to Him to give us counsel and compassionate caring. May the Lord’s blessings be upon each of us as we deal with the trials of life for us personally and for our loved ones..." Robert D. Hales, Healing Soul and Body

I'm grateful for my knowledge of the atonement. It's not just for mistakes. It's for heartaches, pain, and healing. It's for comfort and guidance. If the gospel was not in my life, who knows if I still would have chosen the positive path, the one full of hope and love.

With that said, I am very grateful for both of my parents. I know they are doing what they feel is best, and I respect that. It's not easy for us, but I know it's not easy for them either. We will always be a family, just a family with a difference.

Like my previous post, timing is everything. Leaving on a mission was a hard decision to come to terms with knowing that things are still changing, my family is still adjusting, and that I wouldn't be here for my siblings. But I know the Lord has a plan for me and them, that there is someone, somewhere in the world that needs to hear about the gospel from me. If I needed to be home with my family, then that's what I would do. But there's so many other puzzles pieces that I haven't seen yet, that I don't know even exist in this big picture. What I do know, is that this puzzle piece, this choice, is the perfect fit for this moment. Maybe I can't understand why right now, but I have faith in my Heavenly Father, and I am grateful for the trials that become lessons and strength.