Into Spiritual Battle

       To all my dear readers and followers. I have truly come to the conclusion that life is an emotional battlefield, a fight between good and evil, and right and wrong. Satan has a way to beat us up until we are spiritually wounded and spiritual and physical death is a welcomed sight to some. As we triumphantly charge into battle fighting the adversary from so many angles, the bullets of rage, hate, unhappiness, sadness, and fear whiz past us with great force hoping to bring us down in our moments of weakness, as we courageously rush out to rescue our fallen comrades. Though at times we are fatigued, broken, tired, and sometimes alone, we have a way to keep going. We have our Savior Jesus Christ who stands as our protector, our shield, against the power of the adversary. He is our light through the darkness, our comfort through the pain, our shelter through the storm, and our best friend when we are alone. He does not forsake us nor leave us to fail when all hope seems lost. Though trials may come and we find ourselves caught in the crossfire of battle, feeling wounded and defeated, He IS there! He is the one who carries you to safety. Like the poem "Footprints in the Sand." The young man who looked back and only saw one set of footprints in his life when he struggled, questioned why His Savior had forsaken him in his darkest hours. The Savior's response was "in the times that you have seen only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."  What comfort we have to know our Savior loves us so much that He in our moments of darkness carries us through it all. The atonement is there not just to help us with sin but to help with the pain, the sadness, the loneliness, sorrow, broken hearts, a lost loved one, and even rejection. He IS there!
     
    In the weeks that have past I have found myself on my knees begging for answers to some of life's greatest questions, as I know most of you have done or are in the process of doing now. No matter what you may be struggling with He knows...He understands. I find myself in the crossfire of the emotional battle that rages around us. I try desperately to help others who have fallen on the way as our Savior asks of us to do in service toward our fellow beings. Service is a great way to help heal wounds and a great way to forget your sorrows and smile though the battle rages on. We must become like our Savior, the man who was selfless, loving, accepting of all even those who were different. Though service and the gospel are my everything my greatest desire is to be a wife and mother. One who sacrifices everything for her husband and her children as I have seen my own mother do for my dad and for me and my siblings. Both my parents have been great examples in my life, teaching what it truly means to love. Especially in a relationship. Though they may struggle at times my parents have shown me what it means to stand by one another and to lift each other and love each other in times of trial. My parents have sacrificed so much and have given a lot to those around them. They have inspired my actions in service and have taught me the true principals of the gospel so that I in turn can teach my own children. I have fought many battles trying to find the man that is described in my patriarchal blessing. But have lost to broken hearts. I know through trial we become stronger not only emotionally or physically, but strong in faith in our Savior Jesus Christ. I trust Him with all my heart. He has never forsaken me nor has He allowed me to fail. He has lifted my burdens time and time again and has wept when I wept, and rejoiced in my successes and happiness. My motto has been those famous words that Nephi spoke "I will go and do" and will continue to be my motto throughout all eternity. I pray continuously to find that amazing man who will stand by my side as my dad does for my mom and my sister's husband does for her. My promise to him whoever he may be is that I will love him throughout all eternity, lifting his burdens through this life and giving council and guidance whenever needed. I pray everyday that I can continuously learn to be a better wife and mother as I continue forward through the battle.
 
   I have been greatly blessed to be able to be a Sunbeam teacher and an activities day leader. I have learned more from my sunbeams and my young girls than I could possibly learn on my own. I have felt more like a mother in these callings, which at times has eased the pain of not really being able to have my own children to nurture and guide through this life. I have been blessed with many great and wonderful experiences that are too numerous to express. I have hope. I have faith. And I have charity. I have a path the Lord has chosen for me, and I know that blessings come even if they come on the other side...they still come. I trust the Lord as I move forward through this emotional battle, continuing to become like my Savior.

     May we all learn to trust the Lord and to have faith through the battles that we encounter. May we help the weak and the spiritually wounded. May we lift our hearts in gratitude toward our Savior that has done so much for us and continues to do so much for us. For those who may struggle and are ready to give up fighting the battle against Satan, I say to you, look toward the Savior and ask in faith and He will be there to carry you to safety.