Problem is, just because you're done with school doesn't mean I'm done with busy-ness. Work. And camp. And preparing for camp. And worrying about camp. And hanging out with friends--so tiring! ;)
But I learned you just need to be happy now. Now. Not tomorrow, or when your hair looks good, or when you turn 16. Now.
I liked Uchtdorf's talk in general conference about gratitude. He said that we should be grateful for rainy days too, because without rain there would be no rainbow. I also like the idea of being grateful no matter how MANY blessings you have.
In seminary yesterday, we learned about the refiners fire. They told this story that I really liked.
This lady was in a scripture study group when they came across how the days before Christ's second coming will be like a refiner's fire. She wanted to find out exactly what a silver smith does to "refine" the silver, so she went and talked to one.
When asked how he purifies silver, the smith said (oh my goodness! Coincidence that Joseph SMITH was the prophet that restored the church? ;) the smith said that he heats the metal up to temperatures extremely high, and he has to hold the metal over the center of the fire where it is the highest. This will soften the hard metal, causing impurities to rise to the top to be taken out.
She asked him if he sits and watches. The smith said he had to watch extremely carefully, because if the metal was left in the heat even a little bit overtime, then it would be damaged. Then she asked him when he knew it was done being purified. This man didn't know that she was doing this in a spiritual study, but check out what he said:
"Oh that's easy! The silver is done being purified when I can see my image in it!"
Wow!
God gives us the heat turned up way way high, to the point we are melting. But those trials soften our hard hearts and purify us. And when are we done? When his image is reflected in us.
It kinda reminds me of "have you received his image in your countenance?" idea. (Alma 5)
Well, I just thought that was super cool. Gives us a new way to look at our trying and fiery times.
I have this irrational fear of whenever my family is apart. For some reason, if Dad's on a business trip or Mom's at a wedding or something, I always get very scared. It's not that I miss them (well I do a little ;) but I am terrified that some accident will happen and I will never see them again.
Last year my mom went to a funeral for a week in a different state. My science teacher had told us about how she can't ride airplanes because she's scared of terrorists and scared of bombs. But more people die in car crashes than airplane accidents. So I would freak out. I prayed SOOO hard that week that last night would not have been the last time I see her. Please don't let her airplane crash. Please don't let a drunk driver be on the road with her. Please don't let her have a heart attack.
I remember playing the piano. A hymn. Over and over and over again, I memorized it. I was like, "see, I'm doing the right thing. I'm playing hymns--please don't let her die. "
Just because we are being righteous doesn't mean we won't ever experience pain.
My mom came home safely. But this weekend half my family went on a trip. Me and my sister stayed home. That heart wrenching fear came back again.
Why do I have this fear? I have a testimony of Jesus Christ, of the plan of salvation. I know that if any of my family members were to die right now, that I would be able to see them again. So why do I fear separation?
I guess I have felt my families love, and I don't want to go without it for a second.
I'm sure in heaven, we may have been a bit afraid of leaving our Heavenly Parents because we knew of their love, and didn't want to be separated from them. These two truths are why it is so important to return to heaven with our families so that we can be together forever. Death is not the end, and you will see your family again.
So right here is this incredible video. I absolutely love it. WATCH IT. it is incredible (videos don't work on iOS devices or android, so please please please don't be lazy, get up, take a little extra time to log onto a computer and watch this because you will be blessed for it!!! You truly will!!! It's my favorite!)
We can be with our families forever. We need not be afraid of God's plan for us because He loves us and will make sure that everything we go through will work together for our good.
You will see your family again. I know it.
<3 Eliza
P.S. For those of you who decided to skip that video, there is nothing better for you to do with five minutes of your time! Please? For me? It has given me so much comfort, and I feel the Spirit so much as I learn about it.
There is a myth out there that if you crush coal it will turn into a diamond. Scientists are still debating whether it is true or not, but there are a couple things they do know. Coal and diamonds are both made of the element carbon. When carbon is put under a lot of pressure and heat, it is incredibly transformed into the beautiful, valuable jewel we have now. However, you can see that if the conditions are not quite right, you will only be able to have coal.
In our lives, Heavenly Father gives us trials to test us. Just like the carbon, as we react with a good attitude to this pressure, we will become something beautiful. God knows what type of trials we need in order to make us humble, teachable, righteous, patient, and strong. Then, through the refiner's fire, we will be polished and molded to become the best we can be, to reach the potential of what He knows we can become. There are so many things you can do beyond your imagination, and as God gives us trials and heat, we can get closer to our full potential.
Many have said that through adversity, we grow spiritually ten times faster. We learn and grow better, and as we turn to our Father in Heaven through our trials, he will make us stronger. Have faith and hope that God will get you through. And remember, the only difference between a piece of coal and a dazzling diamond is how they responded to pressure. ;)
You have the potential to become the beautiful diamond that God knows you can be. Trust him, and he will lead you on.
