Getting Personal

I received an e-mail from our Relief Society secretary announcing that our ward was going to do a 40 day fast for missionary work. There was supposed to be a sign up sheet passed around on Sunday to pick your day. I only made it through half of Sunday School and none of R.S. because Mabel was being a fuss bucket, so I'm not sure when the fast is. I wouldn't be able to participate anyhow, since I am still nursing.

My point in telling you this is that last night I was awakened a little after 3 a.m. by Mabel. She was such a good sleeper up until these darn teeth started coming in... Anyhow, after feeding her I couldn't get back to sleep so I lay in bed with my mind racing and this fast popped into my head. I started thinking about what I could do in lieu of fasting for this effort. And this is what I came up with: share the truth with others. And you know how you get some of your brightest ideas on those sleepless nights; I've had some doozies. But I feel really strongly about this. I rarely share my feelings about my religion with others. I haven't born my testimony since I was in primary (aside from the 'usual' at the end of my talks I've given in Sacrament meeting). I haven't done this because I don't like getting emotional in front of people...makes me uncomfortable. Since my dad's passing, that's kind of gone out the window, I have little to no control over my emotions anymore. Another reason is fear of rejection, I guess. I feel like if they reject the Gospel, they are in turn rejecting me because it is such a big part of me. Logically, I know this is ridiculous, but I guess that's the Adversary's plan of attack. Why not share something so important with others when I know how much it has helped me and can help them? It's selfish not to, really. Honestly, even as I type this, I wonder if I'll be able to hit that 'publish post' key. If you're reading this now, I did!!

***Warning to my family per your request. You know what I mean***
I want all of my family and friends to know I have a testimony of this Gospel. I don't know how people get along without it. At this particular time in my life I cannot express how grateful I am for the Plan of Salvation and for Christ's willingness to suffer and die for me so that I can be with my family in the eternities. What a bleak world this would be without that. I know that I will see my dad again, and while that doesn't make missing him any easier, it makes it okay, because I know that God knows best. I know that He knows me better than anyone. I know that when all else seems to fail, He loves me and cares about my well-being. I know that my church is the true church and it brings me happiness and peace. I believe there are a lot of good churches out there that teach a lot of good things, but they are missing the power of the priesthood. I know about the healing power of the priesthood, I've felt it. I know about the power of prayer. I have had soooo many prayers answered. When you're in the trenches, it's hard to see Gods power at work in your life. But when you get that still, quiet moment to meditate, say at 3 a.m., you can easily recognize his hand in everything.