addiction month

I ran a half marathon called the freedom run, a charity that donates to teens struggling with addiction. I couldn't think of a better place to spend my money and put all my work towards. As I ran I felt like I wanted to give up and have someone just pick me up and not even finish the race. Then I saw a hummingbird fly in front of me, pause, and fly away. Every time I see a hummingbird I think of my grandmother who passed away just before I got married. I started to cry(which is actually really hard to do when you've run 8 miles and still have 5 more to go!). I started to reflect on her life and how addiction had had such a negative affect in her life and was always there. Despite all of that I loved her and I know she was loved. She is a daughter of God just like. I ran the rest of my race thinking of her and all the people that have had addictions and I loved them all. I finished my race feeling so happy I decided to do it and can't wait to do it again! 

September is national addiction month. Never have I felt more compelled to think, ponder and pray for people struggling with addiction. Although I've never experienced it myself, and I'm sure others can relate to me when I say, I've seen the terrible effect it has on families and the ones you love most. It brings out the absolute worst in everyone involved: anger, sadness, disappointment, hopelessness and depression.

Recently the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints released videos on the 12 steps of addiction recovery on their website lds.org. I watched every single one and found it difficult to face the reality of what those individuals went through and how it had the potential to destroy their entire lives. It gives hope to those struggling with addiction a to pornography, food, alcohol and drugs. Addiction can take many forms and is always unhealthy and debilitating but there is always help. There are always people wiling to help and there is always prayer. 

People with addictions are not bad people and need to know that!  I've struggled to know how to help those people battling addiction and the only conclusion I've come to is to pray for them and love them no matter what. I know God loves all his children and that they were made strong enough to deal with the trials that they face. Have faith in Him and live righteously, and I know that it will bless their lives as well. And if you want to know how I feel about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the gospel, just read my last post. The power to overcome is so real and waiting for us whenever we need it. 

Meeting Sister Ganta

I'm finally in school and it's been a heck of a week. I've got a lot of work cut out for me this semester! I was feeling so caught up in life that after my last class Thursday night at a new campus, I was so tired I wasn't sure where I was driving even though I was downtown. I made a left and there was the Mesa Temple. I felt my heart ache because I wished I could find a skirt and nicer shoes so I could go inside, since it had been a while. I parked, got out of my car and started walking the grounds by myself pondering everything. 

I didn't know why but I felt like I needed to go to the visitor's center. I walked in the art gallery completely alone and stood in front of the picture of Christ kneeling in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane feeling the power of the Atonement so strongly. I felt of his love for me and the He knew exactly how I was feeling at that moment. It also brought me great comfort to know that because of Him everything was going to work out in the end. I know this is true for everyone. I walked further and saw the quote that said, "Come unto me all that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." I gave a sigh of relief to know that I was doing exactly what I was supposed to in my life and felt a moment of peace.

I walked in front of the statue of Christ and there was a sister missionary named Sister Gana, who greeted me. I told her that I had the same skirt and that's how our conversation started. We were talking for almost 45 minutes about life, what the Book of Mormon meant to me, and how I gained a testimony of the gospel. I loved that sister so much for asking me the questions she did and helping me feel like a daughter of God. Her light was so strong and pure. I learned from her kindness and ability to listen. I finally said goodbye and she told me to ask for her if I ever was in the visitor center again. I left the temple parking lot feeling strong and ready to tackle the hard things that I lay ahead of me in he next few months.

"Don’t let the whirlwinds drag you down. These are your days--to stand strong as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.) Build more firmly your foundation upon the rock of your Redeemer.

Treasure more completely His incomparable life and teachings.

Follow more diligently His example and His commandments.

Embrace more deeply His love, His mercy and grace, and the powerful gifts of His Atonement.

As you do, I promise you that you will see the whirlwinds for what they are--tests, temptations, distractions, or challenges to help you grow. And as you live righteously year after year, I assure you that your experiences will confirm to you again and again that Jesus is the Christ. The spiritual rock under your feet will be solid and secure. You will rejoice that God has placed you here to be a part of the final preparations for Christ’s glorious return.

The Savior said, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” This is His promise to you. I know this promise is real. I know that He lives, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen." (2104, Elder Neil L. Anderson) 

I know that Heavenly Father's plan is real and what I need. I've learned to put my trust in His plan instead of mine. He knows me and he knows everyone. I'm so grateful for opportunities to grow and all the people that are put in my life, including my AMAZING friends and family, to help me grow as well. How lucky am I to have the gospel in my life where I can always find comfort, strength, peace, direction, and true happiness? Yup. Pretty dang lucky.