I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Before I dig in to a more serious topic...I LOVE THIS WEATHER!! It has been above 60 for a few days, and it is January!!! It is gorgeous here right now. It has been so warm and sunny. We have basically lived outside the past few days. It is great!!! Even better, there is snow on the way this weekend. Sun and snow in one week....who could ask for more. aaaggghhh

O.K., so this Sunday was really neat and really caused me to reflect on my testimony and my personal beliefs. It was ward Conference, so our Stake President spoke as well as the Bishop of our ward. AWESOME talks!!! President Woodward (the Stake President) also spoke to the women in Relief Society. He talked about overcoming discouragment and how to find peace in your heart during rough times. He talked about things a.k.a. "truths" of the Gospel that we can hold on to and find peace and comfort in.
It wasn't so much what he was saying as it was the amazing spirit that was present in the room. I love moments like that, when the spirit is so strong, I feel like I could just reach out and touch it. My heart was burning with the truthfullness of what he was saying. Not just of what he was saying, but the truthfullness of the gospel he was talking about.
As I sat there, I realized over and over again, just how incredibly true and simply wonderful the Gospel is...not just the Gospel..but the FULLNESS of the Gospel that we have as members of this wonderful church. I felt and feel so blessed to be part of something that my whole soul knows is real and true. I thrive in the knowledge that we had a beautiful life with our Father in heaven before we came to this Earth, and I thrive even more in the Plan of Salvation. The sure knowledge of where we came from, why we are here, where we are going, the purpose of this life, ect. The beautiful plan that opens the way for us to live FOREVER and ETERNALLY with our families, our loved ones, our Father in heaven and even our brother and Savior, Jesus Christ. I know, without a doubt, that I will be with my family for eternity...there is no "until death do us part." I am so grateful that Ben and I were able to be married in the temple. The only place where we are able to be sealed to eachother and to our children for "time and all eternity." That knowledge brings me more peace than any thing else I could know or have.
The Gospel brings so much peace to my heart and so much hope to my soul. I could never deny the truthfullness of this amazing Gospel. I am so grateful that I belong to a church that has the fullness of the gospel; the knowledge, the power, the authority given from God, and the way to truly be able to live in the presence of our Savior again.
I am so grateful to have this beautiful knowledge and this testimony burning in my soul.
Aside from my testimony that this Church is true, there are so many other reasons I love this church. I love the programs it has to offer. Relief Society..a chance to be with the women of the church..to laugh, to cry, to share, to serve, to learn and to make everlasting friendships. I love the love that I feel when I walk in the doors and see instant friends sitting there. I love knowing that even though I am away from my family, I have my ward family, and we take care of eachother. It is like instant friends, no matter where you go. I love the Primary where kids can learn and grow in such a loving and fun environment. I love the Young Men and Young Women programs where the youth of the church have so many opportunities to serve, to share and to grow in their faith. I love how there is no pressure to be anyone other than who you are. I love how our church is so accepting of members and non-members alike. Everyone is welcomed with open arms. We are all God's children.
Last week presented some new challenges to our family..well, mainly me. I had to deal with something I have never dealt with before. It was harder than I thought it would be, and I didn't fully understand what was going on. I went for a few days, trying to deal with it on my own. When I finally knelt down in prayer and asked the Lord above to help me, I was surrounded with warmth and love and most importantly, hope. Hope is what I needed most of all, and He knew it, even before I realized it. I have been filled with this hope since then, and the road has seemed a lot shorter and a lot brighter. I am so grateful for a Heavenly Father who knows me and loves me and who wants me to succeed.
I can't wait for the day, when Ben and I can serve a mission and share this beautiful message to all who will hear it. Maybe we can find at least one soul out there who is seeking for the truth and the fullness of this beautiful Gospel. One soul who is ready and waiting for this wonderous message of peace, hope, love and everlasting life.