Blogsample

I spent a lot of time today blog-stalking. Well, maybe not fully stalking - he did advertise a post on facebook...an invitation to all - so maybe just stalking in the sense of he didn't know I was reading all his entries for the past three years. I laughed. I cried. And one specific entry from 2008 changed my perspective of a small struggle I have been experiencing. I read it and I was better for it. Well written, so funny, so sincere, so well-meaning, so observant and an open testimony of Jesus Christ. His beliefs weave seamlessly between college sports, friendly fun and family antics. His words are lovely, of good-report AND praiseworthy. Certainly something to seek after. An amazing Blogsample!

It made me think about blogging - about the things I've chosen to express about my life (though not in a loooong time), and I realized that my testimony of Jesus Christ is fully missing from my writing. I thought of lots of excuses - its so personal, no one wants to read that - and doesn't my testimony shine through some of my actions? Why have I left this out? I read through all of these entries about my 'alien' life - and I kept it so surface and silly - I neglected to mention the sustaining power in the experience. Never once did I mention the many moments I felt attended by angels or the unique and specific and wonderfully calming experience I had in preparation for their arrival - or the sheer volume of charitable people who supported and uplifted me and whose purpose in my life can only be described as they were 'on the Lord's errand'. Such tremendous joy, such tremendous sorrow, such tremendous growth. I felt the buoying and supporting and healing power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ - in a way I never knew existed. I was blessed - even though I was so sourly not at my best - a great deal of the time. I do look back on that time with some regrets - for specific actions or arguments - and for missing moments and opportunities when I could have done it better. Poor parents - does that ever go away?

In looking back, its results were good - everyone moved on to better and greener pastures - and miracles happened - one after another after another. I know of miracles. I do. I'm still searching and defining the post-alien world - its been 2 and a half years- and that 14 months still stands as the most life changing period of my life - there is definitely a before and after. I wonder for myself in this world that still at times feels 'alien' - if miracles can still happen - if they can still happen to me. I've been privy to great things - its hard to imagine there could still be more - but there has to be. There is. I know I have continued purposes in this life. I know there is a plan. I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the World and He is the one to save me from all of the things that bind me. I know His Atonement is not solely about forgiveness, it is about relief and love and sustaining. I feel priviledged to be able to feel and recognize the Spirit of my Heavenly Father. I know how to hear Him. I just have to Listen.

This testimony is what is missing from these musings. I've never been embarassed by this knowledge, in fact, I've always sought to share it and sought to help others and myself understand it. And, thanks to some Facebook advertising and the beautiful musings and messages of a fellow believer - I know I want my life in print to relay and weave my testimony between my pop culture obsessions and my family silliness - as seamlessly as it is truly woven in the fabric of my life.