A Time for Courage

I have been very humbled and blessed the past week. A couple weeks ago I was able to spend a wonderful spring break with my boyfriend Todd. It was such an amazing week filled with the spirit. We were able to attend the Salt Lake temple together, hike, and feel the spirit so strongly. It was such a blessing in my life to grow closer together as well as to grow closer to my Heavenly Father and the Spirit. I came back to Logan to start school the following and it seemed as though I was hit with a wall of adversity. I had just had one of the most amazing weeks of my life and I felt like I was then faced with a mountain to climb and no means to do it. I spoke with my Mom on the phone and was greatly comforted by her words. I had a lonely Sunday night but tried to find refuge in my scriptures and the spirit. Sometimes it seems so easy to feel the spirit, especially when Todd is around but sometimes on my own I feel so lonely and seem to have a harder time recognizing the Spirit even though I know it is there. I started school the next day and it seemed to go okay but throughout the day I started having major problems with my foot and my ankle. I felt as though I was falling and I couldn't rise back up. I was scared, scared because of my previous medical problems, scared to be on my own once again. I prayed to Heavenly Father and the words of Joseph Smith rang true in my heart, "O God, where art thou? And where is the pavillion that covereth thy hiding place? How lolng shall thy hand be stayed.." As soon as those words entered into my mind the Lord's reply calmed my heart.  "My Son, peace be unto thy soul thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment". I know that Heavenly Father heard my prayers and answered them. He guided me and led me to peace. Throughout the rest of this week my thoughts have turned toward him. I have had days that have not been easy, I have been faced with affliction but through my Savior and my Heavenly Father I have been strengthened and blessed with the courage to face my afflictions head on standing together with my Savior. I know that we all have trials in our life, but we must remember all the wonderful things in this world and face the not so good days with the courage to look up toward a brighter one. I know that we have afflictions to guide us and strengthen us but I also have a knowledge that afflictions are also there so that when the good times come they are all the more sweet. I am so blessed to have a family that loves me and watches over me, a loving Savior and Heavenly Father that do everything in their power to help me succeed as well as a wonderful man here on this Earth that strengthens me through his example. Let us not fear the unknown, let us go forth with a bright shining hope, relying on those around us and our savior and face our blattles with the courage to prevail. Arise and shine for this is a time for courage.