Today was a wonderful day! Today in Relief Society, I don't know why, I had the feeling that my little college family needed to have our own little testimony meeting. Our family consists of my apartment (Me, Shelby, Taylor, and Brittany), 2 of my neighbors (Hannah and Caitlyn), our friend that lives in a different complex but is always here (Anna) and some boys (Eric, Ryan, Andres, and Josh).
A couple Sundays ago, was when Taylor, Shelby, Anna, Caitlyn and I had our little testimony meeting, and for some reason I felt like we needed to do it again, but with the whole family. Plus, what a great thing to do Sunday night before Thanksgiving!
I let everyone know that we were going to do it.
For some reason, I was really nervous to bring it up because I didn't want the idea to get shot down, but it ended up being such a powerful night.
Tonight was the first time that I had heard Eric bare his testimony formally, and Ryan shared a powerful story with us about how he came to be here. Everyone just shared things that were so close to their hearts and the Spirit was so strong! We opened with singing "Teach Me to Walk in the Light" and and prayer, and then we closed with singing "I Stand All Amazed", another prayer, and a group hug :)
I just felt so good about life after tonight! I was so happy that we had all shared this bonding experience, and I was so proud of myself that I had sucked it up and followed a prompting that made me a little uncomfortable.
This gospel is the true church of God. Our Heavenly Father knows and loves me and wants nothing more than my success. I can not deny that this church is true. I know that some times it can be hard to remember the experiences that we have had that show us that the church is true, but I can not deny it. I know that the Spirit is always there for us. To tell us what we should do and to help us.
I am so thankful for this gospel and that I was raised, by 2 wonderful parents, in the true and living gospel of Jesus Christ.
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Once upon a time there was a man who lived across the street from a church. In the front of this church was a tall, beautiful Oak tree. The man would sit for hours looking at the tree, marveling in its beauty, and listening to the myriad birds that called it home. He grew to love that tree and waited each spring for its beautiful leaves to bloom.
One summer there was a terrible storm. It knocked out the electricity out of the neighborhood and with its violent winds blew over many trees, including the one in our story.
When the man awoke the morning after, he went out on his front porch and saw the tree lying on its side. He nearly cried when he saw it there, roots up. He wondered why such a beautiful and seemingly strong tree could be blown over. Just then, he saw the groundskeeper standing next to the tree, so he walked across the street and started to talk to him.
"I'm so sad about this tree," he said. "Many were the days when I would sit on my porch and just marvel at its beauty. Why do you think the tree blew over? It seemed to be so strong and mighty."
The groundskeeper shook his head and said, "Short roots."
The man was confused. "Short roots?" he questioned.
"Yes," said the groundskeeper. "This tree had it too good. I watered it all the time and so its roots never had to sink themselves down into the earth to find water. Then when the storm came, the roots couldn't hold it up."
Sink your roots deep into the gospel earth, Rach. Testimony meetings like this will help you do that. Enjoy your time in college, but remember that the storms will come one day. Of that there is no doubt. They come to everyone. Just make sure you are sunk deep into the earth so that no storm can ever uproot you.
I love you very much.
Stefan
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