'Thanks Be to God'

I just woke up from a two hour nap (the deep, unconscious sleep that always consumes my body after a  busy week) and now my house is filling with the smell of my amazing banana bread (seriously-its one of the best things I make). While I was sitting here, I decided it was time for a post-a very specific post. 

My life is so beautiful and I am in complete awe of it all. I feel as though I am oozing with sappiness and as I write this I need to be completely clear that this is so much more then that-that I am speaking from my heart. I am beyond grateful. Right now-I feel as though I have been given a rare gift in this life and it only keeps getting better. 

That gift is the glimpse of God's hand in my life. Not just at a single moment-but every step of the way. I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that Heavenly Father has a specific plan for me (for each of us) in this life. I don't understand the logistics or how its possible for us to have agency, but still have a specific plan. All I know is that God is fully present in my life and that I am blessed-beyond blessed.

I taught a relief society lesson today (GULP). I was so terrified and I am pretty certain that I was soaked through my clothes from all the sweating I was doing. But I made it through (or better yet, the spirit took over and taught the lesson that was needed). My lesson was focused completely on happiness-specificially its role in our lives and developing it as a lasting feeling in our lives-even in the midst of hard trials and black days. 

There is so much that I have learned through my time in Texas-so much growth that was absolutely necessary. It was so hard and painful at times-I second guessed myself and questioned my very self as a person-but I have seen how beautifully necessary it all was. And it is this knowledge (this gift) that makes me recognize that in life we will always have dark days and trials, but knowing that God has a plan-a specific plan for me-gives me peace and comfort and ultimately, happiness. 

I spoke with my PapaBear, my Dad, Heather Anne-and as I spoke to each of them I shared how I am happy right now-truly happy. Does that mean my life is perfect?! HA! FAR FROM IT! I still have struggles, I still have hard days (dark days), and I know that there is so very much about myself that I have to work on and improve to become a better person. Yet with all of that, the foundation of my faith has been laid and I know just how much my Father in Heaven loves me (and each of us). I know that there is a plan in life and that each trial provides necessary molding and growth. And I am looking forward to the trials ahead, because I am excited and grateful to see what else I can learn about God and his plan for me. 

“The saints should always remember that God sees not as man sees; that he does not willingly afflict his children, and that if he requires them to endure present privation and trial, it is that they may escape greater tribulations which would otherwise inevitably overtake them. If He deprives them of any present blessing, it is that he may bestow upon them greater and more glorious ones by-and by.”  George Q. Cannon