Testimonies

I wrote the words that follow, while I  was sitting in the Mother's lounge trying to console my Little Em. She was very tired and wanted nothing more than to just go to sleep in her own bed. Sometimes it's hard on these little ones to sit for an hour, and then 2 hours more, for primary or nursery. Sometimes it's hard on me. But, it is a sacrifice that we are being blessed for, they are being blessed for.

It was fast Sunday, which is usually the first Sunday of the month, but because General Conference was last week, they moved it forward.  We believe in fast offerings. We fast for 24 hours or 2 meals. This serves two purposes. First, to humble us as we make sacrifices and use that time to grow closer to God.  &  secondly, to give money that we would have used, for the meals we missed, to a general fund for the needs of others. This is called a fast offering. Some cannot fast, we do what we can.

**********************my notes as I sat w/ Little Em ************************
3-30-14
My heart is so full as I had a rough morning. As I sit in the mother's lounge listening to the speakers, tears are running down my cheeks. So many people are testifying that they know The Lord and Jesus Christ and the gospel are true. 

Statements like....

You, the youth are the future leaders of the church. You will make grown men cry. Like me!  I never believed in Christ and now I know God lives and my life is changing and my families' life are changing.

Another man, just learning about the gospel.

There is strength in vulnerability. {I love this statement and have repeated it in my mind} I am glad you share because it helps me heal.  The gospel makes people better and the testimonies are healing. 

A lady.

Families can be together forever, just need to push through things now to get there someday.

A new convert.

Prayer has help us become a better family.

An older lady, her voice frail over the intercom I am listening in the lounge...

My grandson has some tattoos. I know they are not who he is, they are just there. I listened to him tell me about each one and why he got one. He had the name of his mom...huge... Why would you do that? she asked him. He said I never want to forget her.  Not judging, just loving.

Having the missionaries in our homes, changes things.

I love hearing these things. They touch my heart so deeply.  I wanted to stand at the door way and hug each one on the way out. 

My heart is so full and the heaviness of the morning is lifted.

*****************************************************************************************************************************

I got up out of that chair and went right to two of the people that I knew, my eyes still wet and gave them a  hug and told them I loved them.

More thoughts on Testimonies....

Testimonies need work. When you stop you lose them. You could even forget you ever had one. That is the adversary working on you. The adversary wants to take away your light and happiness or keep you from finding it.

The most wonderful thing God did for us was sacrifice His only begotten Son, so we could live with Him again. Along with this came the atonement, and what's wonderful about that is that we get to repent. We get to try again. We get to try a little harder to be a little better. We will never be perfect. Only He can be perfect. 

He knows this and is forgiving. 

Quit being so hard on yourself when you make mistakes. Let go of whatever is holding you down. 

Recognize. 

Repent. 

Redo. 

If you do not have a testimony that you are a child of God and He loves you. You can pray to find out. Ask on your knees, praying for an answer.  Our Father in Heaven has given each of us the gift of the Holy Ghost. When you feel in your heart something is true, you will know. It will be an unstoppable feeling of joy. You will want to share it. Even if your scared others will ridicule you, you will share it. It just happens. 

If you had a testimony once. You can have it again. The seed that was planted in your heart, will bloom again and you will be filled with light. 

That is a testimony. 

Testimonies take work. Just like the seed that needs dirt & water, and desires the sun. We need faith & searching, and a desire to know. 

When we are searching and learning of Thee we can further be blessed by sharing our testimonies and serving others through Him. 

If you want to know more about the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Pray for that too...I'm sure he will send someone. 

from me to you w love, M