Enlightened

Every Monday in Seminary we what we call Spiritual Experiences (or FS depending on the teacher) and we share a time during the week when we felt the spirit. I used to share all the time but this year for some reason I could never figure out how to share. That's confusing so let me explain. I had spiritual experiences, one every week even, but every time I went to share I couldn't figure out how to put it into words. Then I read a talk given by Elder Craig C. Christensen called "An Unspeakable Gift from God."(Pg. 12 of the conference ensign). When I reread the talk that phrase, "unspeakable gift of the spirit" I felt like I had an epiphany. Sometimes when the spirit talks to us we know he is talking because he speaks to our spirits. Everyone's spirit is different so what or how the Holy Ghost speaks to me might not make sense to other people. You are probably saying "you got that right this makes no sense" but when you think about it, it totally does. It doesn't matter if the experience doesn't sound like a prompting from the spirit, what matters is that you know it was! I got really excited when I read that and I thought it might be good to share.

This blog started out to be just me living life but it's kind of switched over to things I'm learning as I am going through daily life as a high schooler preparing for college. Maybe you don't see it that way but that's ok. TTFN

Blast to the Past!

Okay so a loooong time ago (october) I ran a 5k called the Neon Splash Dash. I went with Ainslee McBride, Paige Christensen and Emma Thompson. We took some pictures but we had to wait to post anything anywhere until after Cross Country Season because if the AIA saw the pictures of Ainslee running a race that wasn't a cross country race the whole team would be disqualified. So the season is over and here's some pictures!

Finish line

Before the race

Second splash zone

From left to right: Sis. McBride, Emma, Ainslee, Paige, Me, Sis. McBride's sister, Sis. McBride's sister's friend from England!

Blessings

How many of you thought this was going to be a list of I'm grateful for...?

It's not. I just wanted to share a spiritual experience I had today. I felt overwhelmed and like every time I took a half of a step forward I got shoved back ten! Then I remembered that we have something wonderful called the Priesthood. I asked Dad to give me a father's blessing. I won't tell you exactly what was in it because that is very personal but I can bear my testimony. Heavenly Father has not left me alone. He is right by my side giving the strength I need to do what I need to do everyday. He knows what I am going through and has given me the means to accomplish it. He knows me and loves me, as does my Savior.

After the blessing I went upstairs to write about it and saw a sign in my room that my wonderful sister in law made me for my birthday one year. It says, "I can do hard things." I remembered that I found notes on talk that had that same saying in it somewhere in my room, so I started to look for it. I didn't find it but what I did find was another answer to prayer. I found a nice note from all the kids in my seminary class that reminded that I can be an influence for good and I found a talk by Elder Jeffery R. Holland entitled, "Because of your Faith".

Heavenly Father never forgets us, His children, here on Earth. He is best ally in times of peril. I also want to add that family right up there next to Him. Without my sibling, their spouses, and my parents I'd be in a world of hurt. I am so glad that is not something I have to worry about leaving me. My family will be my family forever.