My, my, my. My last post was July 1st, 2009... and it is now.... April 27th, 2010? Talk about being M.I.A. Though my blog entries haven't been as regular as my journal entries, I still have other means of keeping you folks informed (facebook?).
Well.... lots has happened since last year and the beginning of this year.
I moved into yet a new place, I finally got a great guy for a boyfriend (Ezra, a RM who served in Uruguay), I got called as one of the Frederick Stake YSA Co-Chairs, I gave my first talk at sacrament meeting, and I have gained a stronger testimony of Christ and Heavenly Father. Who knew that my life would be turned around for the better in such a short time period!
To put it plainly, Heavenly Father is truly amazing! I've been sharing this a lot lately, since it happened just a couple weeks ago. I got to give my first talk in the Damascus Ward on April 18, 2010. The topic assigned to me, as well as President Beck (our 1st counselor in the Stake Presidency) was "Affirming Faith in Christ." It was quite a vague topic... I always get stuck with those types of topics to teach a lesson on and what not. But this was my first talk! And it wasn't even in my home ward. I guess that made it easier...
Anyway I'm rambling. So that week, as I was preparing for my talk, I had such strong and powerful affirmations from the Spirit on how I should approach this topic. Let's just say my Bishop (having requested a meeting with me to meet with him) as well as Institute, gave me just the inspiration I needed to prepare for this daunting task (Note: Joyce gets stage fright and nervous when public speaking). I had a really cool experience early Friday morning, April 16th, as I was just waking and trying to drag myself out of bed. I began speaking as though I was addressing the members of the Damascus Ward. However, I felt as though I was the one listening... I wasn't speaking at all. It was the Spirit witnessing to me the grace of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I then had the basis and core of my talk.
So where did all this inspiration come from? Let's rewind to my meeting with Bishop Duke earlier that Wednesday evening. I was a little worried I was in trouble when he requested the appointment. I wasn't in trouble at all. He sat me down and asked how I was doing... what was new in my life? And then he started to ask me a series of questions...some of which included: What do you know about Jesus Christ and His role as Savior and Redeemer? Do you know that He lives? And how do you know? I knew because I could feel the Holy Ghost surround me. But what happened to all that bad stuff? and how I felt when it happened? Bishop then expressed his testimony of the power of the Atonement. It does that... it takes away our heavy burdens and dissipates the weight so we no longer feel their strain on our backs and in our lives.
Bishop Duke then asked me a few more questions.... and then explained to me that they were some samples of the questions asked in a temple recommend interview. Now I haven't always been the greatest member of the church, nor the one with the strongest testimony, but I keep working my way on the path of righteousness with the help of those who love and support me... those who truly believe in me... and with the help of my Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ. And because I have those who believe in me, and because I'm trusting in the Lord, I'm about 6 months (maybe a little more) away from potentially getting to go to the temple! I never thought I'd see the day...especially since I had been falling into satan's traps along the way. His traps were so enticing that it almost cost my membership in the church. I'm so grateful I have a wonderful Bishop, family, church family, and friends, who have stood beside me in my quest to one day enter the temple.
While I was preparing for my talk, I was reading President Monson's conference talk, "He Is Risen." He touched on a story about an 11 year old boy who was diagnosed with some illness and was constantly in and out of the hospital. As his dad was talking to him one night, thinking he was asleep, the father told his son to never lose his faith in Christ. Not knowing the little boy was listening, he answered his father, "NEVER." This boy was 11 years old. What a strong testimony he had at such a young age. It makes you stop to think, "Is my testimony of the Savior that strong?"
I know that as I continue to trust the Lord and follow His commandments, and pray and seek for spiritual guidance that my faith in Him will be strengthened in these perilous times. I know that as I seek the kingdom of God, I will soon be able to make and keep temple covenants, which looked so unreachable at one point. I'm so grateful to be here in this day and age to be able to stand as a witness of God and reach out to all those who are in need of rescuing. ...I know my life has been saved.
