Never A Journey Left Alone

My life has taken left and right turns as I have gone down its path.  I have experienced many of life's challenges and difficulties.  However lone and dreary the path may have seemed, I cannot lay my head upon my pillow at night and say with an honest heart that Heavenly Father was not there.  Though I have been called to pass through some trials, I have always come through it, with His help, some even with greater strength than when it began.  There have been unseen hands that have guided me through the darkest of times.

When some speak of angels, some think of wings and pure white.  Others think of God, the heavens, or comfort beyond what words may capture.  I wish to paint a picture for you to follow, that you may know, angels do guide and protect us.  With life there is uncertainty, with God there is security.  He is mindful of us and has given His angels charge to watch over us.  They are truly a part of our lives, recognized and unrecognized, lifting us in times of need.  Through this mortal journey that we struggle on, there is never a point at which we are alone.

Its just not for me. Or is it?

If you haven't heard that phrase a thousand times, you've said it to yourself or even vocalized it many times.  The saddest claim I have heard in my life is when a person proclaims that the gospel of Jesus Christ is not for them.  Contrary to their thinking however, Christ suffered for all mankind, every soul that has lived, is living, or will ever live.  Therefore, the gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone. 

 

We may make excuses by saying that "these standards aren't for us," or "we just can't live this way or that," or that "its just too hard to be something that I'm not."  Everyone is a beloved son or daughter of God, that is our divine nature.  By cunning persuasion and temptation to weaknesses, the world pulls from our hearts the truth of who we really are, giving no place for heavenly things.  When our hearts become so set upon the world that we lose sight of who we really are, we fall into the mindset that "these things are just not for me."  I know we are children of God.  That is who we really are.  The path to following God is a path of everlasting happiness.  His love is for us.  His blessings are for those who keep His commandments, and they are given for our benefit, growth, and eternal protection.

Past Progression

Led to this wonderful place by design, I spent the past 6 months in the heart of our California Mission, beautiful Santa Rosa.  As you read from Elder Menasco and Sister Nestman, this place has truly changed our lives.  In the next few moments, I hope your heart will be touched with experiences that have strengthened my faith and helped me to have a greater desire to follow our Savior, Jesus Christ.  It is true that the people bring the change in our lives. 

Ever action has a consequence.  Every choice we make has an affect on our life and on the lives of others.  I reflect upon a family that has gently reminded me of this reality.  It was my privilege to come to know them and to share experiences with them, filling my heart with gratitude and love.  Two young men in this family I grew a particular love and respect for.  Despite their past decisions and the adversity that they have had to face, some as a result of their own bad decisions, they have shown me how to endure and be patient.  Their trials have not ceased even though they have made the decision to change their lives and seek for the better, in fact, it has increased in difficulty in many ways.  Every day they make the efforts to move their lives in a direction which pleases God.

Another young man touched my life in a way that he may not completely understand.  Brought to the knowledge of God though a dear friend of his, he was always willing to live the gospel that we taught.  It made me think back to the times that I struggled to follow the counsel Church leaders had given, how I tried to justify just small actions that may have not weighed eternal consequences.  However, I saw blessings come and saw blessings go.  Ben however, was always more than willing and happy to accept the invitation to follow the counsel the Lord gives us.  After his testing period of these changes in his life, he has come to live them.  Living the gospel is the greatest example that he has set for me and others.  It is in his smile, his family, and it is his life.

These people are just a few of the blessings that have come to my life.  It started with a call to serve in this beautiful place and ends with the hearts of these people.  They bring the spirit into my life, to bring a change and a desire to live better.  These people are what make the difference.  My heart is changed.  My perspective anew.  My life is the Lord's.  Why?  Because these are his children, I am his Son, and He is the way.  I have experienced and seen others share the same change as we have made progress to move closer to Christ.  Our past does not weigh us down, we arise each day with a bright hope.  With a willing heart, we find the blessings of heaven.  I have been touched.  Check out Elder Dane Jones post on Saturday! He will update us on the blessings he has seen here!

"Wherever He Leads Me"




 

In the mission field, we move around pretty often.  As I have moved from place to place, one question is frequently asked, "Is it hard to leave?"  At first, I was not really sure how to respond to that question, because there is an exciting part of moving onto a new area to serve, yet, there are so many people that you glow close to.  I feel it is similar to growing up.  We make friends and find ourselves taking different paths for school, sports, or otherwise.  However, I have come to know that wherever we are, the Lord can be with us.  We may have to leave our family or friends to go to school or when we are married, but we never forget those people.  It is the same for missionary work; I will never forget the people.  Life will take us where it may, but we may know that the Lord will never leave us to be alone.  I will continue to go wherever he leads me.

A Choice of Life or Death...




  I have been thinking a lot lately about the reasons why people change their lives.  What stirs within a person to drive them to change their life?  As I have come to understand more fully the gospel of Jesus Christ, I have seen that we need the Savior's help to create a lasting change in our lives.  I believe that we change because we feel something inside our hearts pressing at our souls, desiring something greater.  There is a choice that we must ultimately face: Are we willing to follow Christ for the rest of our lives, to make the changes necessary so that we may return to our Heavenly Father to live in happiness or not?  "I would that [you] should look to the Great Mediator, and [obey] his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life" (2 Nephi 2:28).