All Twittered Out: January 2015

So... It has been some time since I have posted, but with the holidays and traveling, school and work, I feel like I haven't had any time. I'll do better, I promise.

Yesterday I was in one of my SFL classes, and Dr. Coyne shared a video at the end of class. We were discussing emotional regulation (how we handle our emotions and react in situations). Before you watch the video (posted below), I want you to think of a time in which you were struggling; when life was hard; when you thought you couldn't go on. How did you handle it? What resources did you use to help you get through? What was the outcome? Ponder that for a minute.

Now, watch this Mormon Message. I'll explain more after. PS: you may want to have tissues handy.

You don't have to share your experience here or to anyone, but how did this video make you feel? Could you relate to any of these situations? Do you ever feel like you are climbing a mountain? OR that that mountain never ends?! Let me share one of my experiences (I'll make it short, I promise).

In 2012, I married the boy I had been dating since high school. We were married for four months before we separated. Three months later, our annulment was finalized. I was 22, alone at school, and didn't have much hope fore the future.

This isn't a story I talk about or share often, but when I watched this video yesterday, I felt the emotion of the stories and people represented. I reflected on that struggle I had almost three years ago; not only that, I reflected on what I learned from it, how I reacted, and how I moved forward.

We each have our own trails and challenges in life, and each one of those experiences teaches us something new. What I learned in 2012 was that I am not alone. I was sad, heartbroken, and hopeless for quite some time. But as I attended the temple, fulfilled my callings, went to counseling, and moved on with my life, I drew closer to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I came to know that blessings would come, as long as I kept on the straight and narrow path.

My faith was strengthened in ways I never thought possible. Faith in the future. Faith in myself. Faith in my Heavenly Father. Faith that love would come again. Faith that all would be well. Acting on the "twig of faith" I had allowed me to grow it into something strong and beautiful.

No, curing does not come right away (even though we want it to, and may try to force it at times). The Lord will not forsake us - that is a PROMISE! I have a testimony that as we serve God and others "with full heart and soul" that we can gain "unbreakable spiritual strength" to helps us through the winds and storms of life. There is a "balm in Gilead."

The whole point in Dr. Coyne sharing this video with us was this: we go through so many emotions in life - how do we handle them, and how do we use them to become better? Dr. Coyne focused on the last words that were shared in that video, and I want to as well.

"We never need to FEEL that we are alone or unloved in the Lord's service because we never are. We can FEEL the love of God. The Savior has promised angels on our left and our right to bear us up. And He always keeps His word. His love is unfailing."

I testify that life goes on, and that it does get better. In May 2014, I was sealed for time and all eternity to my best friend. He is a blessing I cannot thank m Heavenly Father for enough. He was an answer to many prayers.

Heavenly Father knows us. He knows what we need and when we need it. If we say our prayers, fulfill our calling, and move forward with faith - no matter how large or small it may be - HE WILL BLESS US! I know that to be true.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.