Monday, January 4, 2010

FASTING

I fasted yesterday for the first time in a long time. I think I had lost my testimony of what a fast is and the power it yields. So I decided to put it to the test. I knelt Saturday evening and prayed with real intent to feel my Heavenly Father's love for me. I feel like I have drifted away and lost that constant companion of the Holy Ghost, which in turn makes it hard for me to ever feel of His love. I miss that feeling of never being alone....hence the fast.
Throughout that night and Sunday morning, I tried and tried to feel the Spirit. It just wasn't there. I knew the things I heard in church were true...but I wanted the Spirit to touch me in my heart so I could FEEL it.
I got discouraged. Perhaps I didn't fast in the right way. Or had my Father completely withdrawn from me?
It came time to close my fast, so I again knelt in prayer and asked Heavenly Father to accept my fast. I was IMMEDIATELY overwhelmed with His love! I know that he accepted my fast and answered my prayer. I am grateful for that regained testimony of fasting. I am grateful to know that He will listen to simple me. I know He loves me. I know I am His daughter. I know He rejoices when His children come to Him in humility.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

TEMPLES


I went to the temple early Friday morning. It was a magnifecent experience to me. The early morning hours are truly inspirational. The world is still and quiet and sleepy which allowed me a moment of peace where sweet thoughts and inspiration could come into my mind without distractions. I loved walking inside while it was dark out, participating in the Lord's holy work while there, and walking out feeling so light and happy into the bright morning sun shining across the wheat fields. It was awe inspiring and faith envoking.


I have a renewed testimony of the temple and the work that goes on inside. I feel that renewal each time I attend. I am so grateful for sealing powers that connect me and my family for eternity. I am so thankful for blessings bestowed upon me for doing Heavenly Father's work. I am so thankful for the closeness to Him that you feel when you are inside and for the sweet whisperings of the Spirit in answer to deep prayer while there. I know that the ordinances that are done and the covenants made in the temple are true and complete and perfect. I am so grateful to be a member of His true church and to be worthy to enter into His house and partake in this sacred work. I know the church is true. I know Heavenly Father lives and that He loves me enough to speak to me in small and simple ways. I know the work that goes on in the temple is eternal. I am so grateful that the Lord has blessed me, my family, and my community with a temple so close.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

PROPHET OF GOD


I felt so blessed this past weekend in participating in General Conference and especially the Solemn Assembly. I don't recall the experience so many years ago when we sustained President Hinckley. I prayed that I might know that President Monson was our prophet called today, and as I watched the different quorums stand to sustain him, and as I saw his face seem bright with the Spirit and perhaps also heavy with a weight of responsibility, and even more still as I stood with my family surrounding me in sustaining vote, I felt a warmth and a tingling sensation wash over me bringing me peace and assurance that this man is called of God as our prophet, seer, and revelator and President of our church today. I felt confident and sure that my sustaining vote for him was just as true and important as my faith in Heavenly Father and the Savior.

I am so grateful to know that we have a living prophet today. I am so grateful to know that my Father in Heaven is, and not just was...that He speaks to us today as in days of old. That He will not leave us alone. I am grateful for the words of a living prophet to guide us in these days of hardship and seemingly endless suffering with trials abounding all around us. It brings me comfort to know that he will reveal to us what the Lord would have us do today to bring us peace and direction in our lives. I have a testimony of President Thomas S. Monson and am so grateful to Heavenly Father for bestowing that gift upon me this weekend and even now as I write.

Monday, April 7, 2008

PURPOSE

My purpose and direction with this site is strictly for the bearing of my testimony and sharing my thoughts and feelings about the church and gospel principles. Every day I feel my Savior's love and need a place to express my love and devotion in return. This site will be used mainly as a spiritual journal for me and so is mostly for my own benefit and for that of my family. My hope is that my testimony will grow and perhaps others will too.
Music will play an important part on the site. I chose not to have words being sung so that the music will be a quiet reminder in the background of what a testimony is and how it makes me feel. I am so grateful for beautiful hymns. When I feel lost or alone, or just need a pick-me-up, I know that a hymn will set my heart at ease and will draw me near unto the Savior like little else can.

One of the songs that will be playing on this site is the hymn "Testimony." Here are the words to that hymn:

The witness of the Holy Ghost,
As borne by those who know,
Has lifted me again to thee,
O Father of my soul.

I know that thou art in the heav'n.
I know the Savior reigns.
I know a prophet speaks to us
For our eternal gain.

My eyes are wet; my heart is full.
The spirit speaks today.
O Lord, wilt thou my life renew
And in my bosom stay.

As testimony fills my heart,
It dulls the pain of days.
For one brief moment, heaven's view
Appears before my gaze.