HNPP

A little over a year ago, I wrote a blog post titled "Why I'm Not Going On a Mission." Within the past week, I've been thinking a lot about what has happened the past two years, and all of the Divine Signatures I've received confirming that I made the right decision for me. It's been amazing. I got married and sealed in the temple to Tay, and only have a year left in my degree in Human Development.

At one point I wanted to go on a mission. It lasted for about a month, until I had a health incidence where the muscles in my arms "gave out" and didn't work well. Good timing, huh?! Test after test, and they couldn't figure out what was wrong. This journey lasted two years, until just last week when I found out I have Hereditary Neuropathy with Liability to Pressure Palsy.

This HNPP basically means that my nerves can be damaged more easily--so for a healthy person, they might type for 100 hours and end up with carpel tunnel, whereas I might get it typing for 5 hours. I can't lift heavy things, cross my legs, or participate in some sports. But I feel so blessed to know what is going on with my body after a long time of waiting, and to not have something more serious. I also feel blessed to look back and see all that I've learned throughout the process.

I've learned patience and peace. I've been reminded that life isn't perfect, and that we are here to experience hard things which we can learn and grow from. I've learned that it's OK to let others serve you and to ask for help. I've been reminded that everyone is going through something you're unaware of, so you should always be on the lookout to serve, not judge. I've learned that everyone needs a support system. Most importantly, I've been reminded of the comfort from the Atonement, which covers not only our sins, but our pains, sorrows, and afflictions. 

I know God has an plan for each of us--an individual, personalized plan that can lead us home to Him. I'm so grateful He's always there, and always knows exactly how to comfort, guide, and bless me.

My dreams. (Literally)

I remember a few specific dreams I had in my childhood--most of which were scary or weird enough to linger in my mind. Other than those few times, I rarely woke up in the morning and could say "I had a dream last night." But for some reason, starting a month or so ago, the dreaming started up again. Only, they weren't really dreams...more like nightmares. They really started getting on my nerves. Why couldn't I sleep in piece anymore? 

This week, after waking up from a terrible dream, I told my husband how much I hated it. He replied, "Do you pray not to have bad dreams?" So simple, yet I hadn't thought of that. I was taught from birth to pray whenever I needed help. The words from the song "Did You Think To Pray" flooded my mind, and have stayed with me this past week. Every night since (after praying to not have bad dreams) I have been nightmare-free. 

I am grateful for prayer. 

I am grateful for my sweet husband who helps me to be better. 

I am grateful for a patient and loving Heavenly Father who cares about the little things. 

I am grateful for the Divine Signatures that help me to remember Him, and appreciate His love and power.  

Did You Think to Pray?

1. Ere you left your room this morning,
   Did you think to pray?
   In the name of Christ, our Savior,
   Did you sue for loving favor
   As a shield today?
2. Oh, how praying rests the weary!
   Prayer will change the night to day.
   So, when life gets dark and dreary,
   Don't forget to pray.
3. When your heart was filled with anger,
   Did you think to pray?
   Did you plead for grace, my brother,
   That you might forgive another
   Who had crossed your way?
4. When sore trials came upon you,
   Did you think to pray?
   When your soul was full of sorrow,
   Balm of Gilead did you borrow
   At the gates of day?

Trip to Payson

Today I had the opportunity to go to the Payson Temple Open House. It was so beautiful and so fun to admire with my sweet husband. The reminder that we are sealed together for eternity was my Divine Signature today and made me feel overwhelmed with gratitude for the blessings temples bring.  

It's amazing that you can walk through the temple before it is dedicated and still feel such a remarkable Spirit. Temples truly are places of learning, peace, love, and holiness. 

"Why are so many willing to give so much in order to receive the blessings of the temple? Those who understand the eternal blessings which come from the temple know that no sacrifice is too great, no price too heavy, no struggle too difficult in order to receive those blessings. There are never too many miles to travel, too many obstacles to overcome, or too much discomfort to endure. They understand that the saving ordinances received in the temple that permit us to someday return to our Heavenly Father in an eternal family relationship and to be endowed with blessings and power from on high are worth every sacrifice and every effort." 

-President Thomas S. Monson, "The Holy Temple--a Beacon to the World"

Sprinklers

I was walking to the parking lot after classes and thinking about my day, the things on my to-do list, and what I was going to make for dinner, when all of the sudden something caught my attention and made me smile. I looked around, trying to figure out what it was...then I saw the sprinklers. That was it---the sprinklers! They smelled like my childhood. Images flashed in my mind of running through the sprinklers in my yard with siblings and friends, blades of grass stuck to our feet, surrounded by that sweet scent of summer, finishing on our towels warmed by the sun on our driveway. Maybe eating a popsicle or two :)

Funny how even sprinklers can be a Divine Signature, making me grateful for my family, my life, my memories, and moments that matter most. 

It's through the small and simple things that our Heavenly Father shows His love!

I Saw That!

Today I witnessed a random act of kindness. While standing in line in the vending machine/break room waiting to use the microwave before my next class, I heard a bang behind me. When I turned around, I saw a student hitting the vending machine. He was trying to help a professor get his stuck sandwich. But to no avail, the sandwich wouldn't budge! The professor decided to swipe his card again, buying two sandwiches. He handed one to the student helping and said, smiling, "Would you like a sandwich?" This immediately put a smile to my face. The professor took advantage of an opportunity to serve (can you think of a greater act of kindness for a poor, starving college student?!). I stood there thinking, "I saw that!" I wanted the professor to know that his service hadn't gone unnoticed--it never does. Someone is always watching, even if that someone is our Father in Heaven. What a Divine Signature I saw today. 

It made me wonder, have I served today? 

Wedding Pictures

Just because today I feel super grateful. And I may have gotten my beautiful wedding pictures back (PC @ Mikki Platt Photography). So many Divine Signatures that come from the gospel, especially the blessing of eternal families. 

"Marriage between a man and woman is ordained of God...The family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children."

-The Family: A Proclamation to the World

Conquerors

Yesterday, my Divine Signature was a talk from April 2011 General Conference titled, "More Than Conquerors Through Him That Loved Us."

Romans 8:37

 "We are more than conquerors through Him that love(s) us."

How can we be more than conquerors, through Christ? 

Because of the Atonement, we can be perfected. We can have hope, peace, comfort, strength, and happiness. Through Christ, we can endure. 

Sometimes we want to have growth without challenges and to develop strength without any struggle. We must be careful that we don't resent the very things that help us put on the divine nature... Not one of the trials and tribulations we face is beyond our limits, because we have access to help from the Lord. We can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us."

-Elder Paul V. Johnson

PS Married life is the bomb.com 

This is our hipster wanna-be picture. 

PC: Mikki Platt Photography