Write it Down

For the past month I have had several very strong impressions to write my testimony down. I attended two fast & testimony meetings in a row, one in my home ward & one in my moms ward. Both times I wanted to bear my testimony but there was a line the whole time. That was my excuse. I sit way in the back (that's our normal spot) It keeps the noise level of my children to a minimum. Anyway, that is my other excuse, by the time I could make it to the front there would be at least 2 people waiting. After the one at my moms, the whole drive home (it was just Morgan, Aspen & I), I had the strongest feeling to write my testimony down. I went over & over it my mind & even wondered why I would have such a strong impression. I told myself I would write it down when I got home then life got busy. I have thought about it over the past couple weeks several times, but still no testimony. Yesterday in Young Womens our lesson was on our inheritance & our posterity. How important our testimony is in the whole scheme of things. At the end of the lesson the teacher handed out paper and asked us to write our testimony down. Wouldn't you know it, Aspen was asleep on my lap, so I was unable to write. I promised myself I would do this at home, so here it is.

To my posterity, family & loved ones:

Just so you know crying isn't only for church--I am crying just thinking about what I am going to write.
I love the gospel! There is nothing else in this world that gives the stability and guidance that I feel by being part of it. There is nothing else that I hope for my children than to gain a testimony of their own of the gospel, it's restoration by Joseph Smith and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I don't remember having an AHA moment when these became so part of me. Sometimes I try to question myself on how I know that Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father & Jesus Christ. That he was given the golden plates and translated them & that he restored the gospel of Jesus Christ. It just is, I just know it and don't doubt it. At some point in my life I have gained that testimony. I want that for my kids more than anything

I know that we are all brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ. He is our Elder Brother and loves us. He gave us a family here on earth to be with, to love and to return to Him as an eternal family. That is His greatest hope, that we will return to live with him again. He also gave us our friends and neighbors to help us on this journey, with a commandment that we also help them. With my surgery I have gained a greater testimony of the love and service that is required of us by our Father in Heaven. We are His hands, we must listen to the Spirit, to know what is needed and most importantly follow those promptings. While down after surgery I received many calls from friends & neighbors offering assistance. The Relief Society brought dinner in for over 2 weeks, what a help to my family. Many phone offers of help came just when I needed them. One in particular came from a sister in my ward that I have literally not spoken more than a few words to. Not because I don't like her, or have nothing to say, but because I don't see her or run in the same circles. She called with an offer to pick something up in town and to see how I was. She was truly following the Spirit. Not because I needed anything in town, but to build my own testimony on the power of the Spirit and service. We need one another. When I went to my mom's ward (also the ward I grew up in) I was so overwhelmed by the love that I felt from people that affected my life as a teenager. The greetings, hugs and love that I felt & feel every time I come "home" is amazing. I realize the importance of the calling I have as a young women leader & how I can affect the lives of these young women that have been entrusted to me. I am so grateful for the adults that have that love for my children. One especially is Brother Robert Weeks in our ward. He used to be Shade's scout leader, but has since been released. That doesn't stop him from coming to Shade's baseball games, going snowboarding with him & his buddies or visiting with him about hunting. He makes sure he has his game schedule, and knows what other important events are happening. I know he will be an important person in Shade gaining a testimony of the Gospel, & I am so grateful for that.

I am grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I know He will forgive us. He loves us and doesn't want to lose even one of His "sheep". He will help us return to Him & lift our burdens. He fell below all things that he will know everything that we go through. He knows how to help us, if we ask in prayer, He will be there for us. The power of repentance is true, it can change you, and heal you. It will bring you back to Christ and his loving arms.

I love the Book of Mormon. I have read it and know of the truthfulness. I have felt the Spirit tell me this. I know what it means to get that tingly feeling & feel my heart burst with the Spirit. I have felt it, and know it's power.

I am so grateful for my family. Shawn is my ROCK. I love him and can't wait to spend eternity with him. I know because of the power of the temple covenants we can do this. My children are my life. It literally revolves around them. My prayer is that they will be in my family circle in the eternities. That they will gain a testimony of Jesus Christ and rely on him throughout their lives. I am so proud of them and the choices they are making. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.