Wednesday, October 20, 2010

The Good Old Days

Today I feel like I need to share something. What that is I really don't know. But I feel like I should just write and share my testimony. Today and the past few days have been pretty normal. No wild or crazy stories to tell and no earth shattering news. But that is what the majority of life is, I feel. One day after another as we continue to steadily move forward in our lives. Often times we reach small goals and accomplishments that we don't even think twice about. Lots of times as we are trying to go from day to day we have a many struggles and it might get harder to just simply go through life. But something that I do know is that in these seemingly monotonous or sometimes difficult times, God is still blessing our lives with miracles. He still loves us more than we can imagine. He cares about not only the big major things that happen in life, but also the small and simple things. In the book of Alma it says, "...but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise." (http://scriptures.lds.org/en/alma/37
I know that this is true. God will always work in our lives and help us no matter what the situations or circumstance. I hope and pray that both you and I will always be able to recognize his hand in our lives.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Answers to Prayers

With our crazy lives there is so much that we deal with. We have things to do places to be and roles to fill. We have people in need of our attention or care, we have our own desires and wishes to bring to pass, and we have a million other things that seem to enter into our lives constantly. Something that has really been a blessing to me amongst all of these things has been the blessing and gift of prayer.
Prayer is a concept that a lot of people are familiar with. Prayer throughout the world is performed many different ways with a vast array of methods or practices. But when you get right down to it, what is prayer? Prayer is communication with our Father in Heaven. As a child of God I have the opportunity to speak with my Father, and I love it.
In the Book of Mormon it says,
"Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him. Cry unto him when ye are in your fields, yea, over all your flocks. Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening. Yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies. Yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy to all righteousness. Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them. Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase. But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness. Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you." (Alma 34: 19-27) 
Something that has always stood out to me is how we have the opportunity to speak to our Father in Heaven whenever we need, and for whatever purpose.
Recently in my life I have seen that as I have prayed for things going on in my life, no matter what it is, God cares and loves me by answering my prayers. That is a true principle for all of us, God will answer every sincere prayer. The answers might not be what we think they should be, or as quickly as we feel they should come, but God will always answer.
As I pray for my own strength, the healing of one of my loved ones, opportunities that draw near, and the opportunity of forgiveness and change in my life, God helps me and I can feel his love.