Answered Prayers

Mom and I posing for a quick pic after our
ward temple session on February 14, 2015.

I am totally, behind on blogging, but today was one of those days where I was reminded how much Heavenly Father loves me and how blessed I am! Therefore, I know I couldn't close my eyes tonight before documenting today's blessings.

Let me start by notifying any of my blog followers (if any...LoL) who weren't already aware, but I lost my mom about 4 months ago. It has been a little difficult adjusting to life without her jokes, teachings, cooking, selfless service and lectures! Earlier this week, I was up until nearly 4 a.m. just watching videos to hear her voice and clips from her funeral because I missed her so much. That same night, I kept getting the feeling that I needed to go to the temple. My plans to go the following morning fell through and I was a little sad, but determined to still make it out this week.

Crystal Vake and I at the Dallas Texas Temple
on September 13, 2017.

I feel like the Spirit has really been talking to me lately and I've been doing my best not to ignore any promptings, but I'm human and fall short a lot. Last night, I felt inspired to ask this old friend of mine if she'd be willing and thankfully, she said, "YES!" Just over a year ago, Crystal and her family moved away and we hadn't kept in touch so I was afraid it was going to be awkward, but the Lord works in mysterious ways and I knew this was His way of bringing us back together. It was as if time hadn't passed. We caught the 11 a.m. session at the Dallas Texas Temple and during the session, I witnessed so many of God's tender mercies. I had so many memories of attending the temple with my mom and smiled at my memory of our last session we attended together this past Spring. I had no doubt that my mom was there with me in spirit and even felt strengthened to be strong and be the daughter I know I need to be in order to see her again in the next life. Crystal and I shared several laughs and stories to and from the temple and I'm grateful to have heeded the promptings of the Spirit to ask her to go with me.

Amidst missing mom, being unemployed and not seeing any progress in my life in the last several months, I grabbed a set of scriptures while in the Celestial room today and this was the first verse I read. Talk about an answer to my prayers. Heavenly Father really knows how to step in and remind you that He knows you and loves you. I'm not completely sure which aspect in my life this scripture is referencing, but I know that in due time, the Lord will show me exactly what He meant. More to come on this ;)

Alex Anthony's CG class at 4:45p
was hard but awesome today!

Most people who know me, know that my desire to participate in any physical activity or exercise routine pretty much died with my collegiate volleyball career in 2007. Haha. 10-years later and this girl finally decided to stop being lazy and make some progress in her life. Last week, I started Camp Gladiator (CG) and am trying my best to be consistent. Today, I got to go with both my sisters, Ella and Delilah.  =] This was my 4th workout with our trainer in front of Ella, Alex Anthony, and I absolutely love her classes. They're convenient and I love the variety she gives us each class. This was my 2nd camp with Nona who is such a positive cheerleader through the workouts. I really enjoy CG because there is a wide range of class times and locations that fit well with pretty much anyones schedule. I really hope and pray that I can continue to be consistent and help myself to get back to a healthier lifestyle. I'm too young to have all my joints popping or cramping. LoL.

The last thing that I want to document is my progress with our Stake Presidency's challenge to complete the Book of Mormon from cover to cover by our Stake Conference on October 22nd. I started reading while in Europe on July 24th and am grateful to be on target to finish on time. This is the furthest I've got with my BOM reading since high school (HS). I'm ashamed to say that, but it's true! My focus has definitely been wack if it's taken me this long to read the BOM since graduating HS. I have already felt my testimony grow from my daily readings, and know that I need to go back to the basics if I want to continue to have the Spirit guide me in all of my decisions. Losing my mom has definitely helped me to stay focused and to live up to her legacy. She was such a valiant woman! I seriously can only hope to be at least half the woman she was in this life. I'm grateful for this Circle-BOM app that helps me stay on track. As long as I read my 3 chapters a day, I'll finish the stake challenge on time! :)

Let me end by sharing my testimony that God lives, we are His children and He loves us!!! I am grateful for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ which guides my life. I am not perfect, but I am the daughter of a perfect God who sent His only Begotten Son down to Earth to atone for us. When we fall short, He's made it possible for us to stand back up and try again. The temple is truly the House of the Lord! I am grateful for a loving mother who was humble enough to accept the gospel into her life and courageous enough to learn it and raise her children in the gospel then strengthen her husband in the following years. Mom, you are an amazing woman and I know you're sharing the gospel on the other side. I hope you're finding time to rest there too after all the work you did here. Thank you for sending your spirit to be with me today in the temple and for reminding me of all the great times we shared together. I miss and love you more than words could ever explain! XoXo