Thoughts

On my way out of town last night I was thinking about being separated a few days at a time from the wife and kids. although they did not seem to be bothered that Daddy was leaving for 5 days and were not very interested in saying good bye. I was thinking about more than just the separation. i was thinking about Amy getting to appointments this week and getting the VW worked on. I was thinking about the money it costs to do a round trip and how those would eventually become farther and farther apart. My thoughts were also on selling the house, having a calling in a ward somewhere at some point. This was all of course accompanied with thoughts about my academics and time management and the work I am doing for the GA. I guess what I am getting at is this; I keep this record on here and elsewhere, so that one day far from now, When my children struggle, they might know that they are not alone. that when they become excited, encouraged, or inspired by something, that they should do whatever it takes to accomplish that thing. whether it be limited to this life or if it be pursuits that affect the life to come. I want them to read this someday and know that they can do whatever it is that they want. And when they read this, I hope that however much they may, they remember the struggle that we encountered when I left every week and went off to move our family forward. Most importantly, I want them to realize the centrality of the Atonement in all our lives. How we are able to accomplish our work so long as we set out to do His. I am grateful that this son of a type-setter is able to get a PhD. That he may do justice to the struggles of his forebearers that only sixty-five years ago were tenant farmers.
It has been said “If There Is No Struggle, There Is No Progress”. T'is true. If we expect to reap any sort of reward, we must undoubtedly sow the seeds that will produce said reward. We shall struggle in this life from time to time. However, we have a promise, unmovable that is affixed. We shall prevail. I am glad that this chapter in my life is teaching me a lesson that is so very plain. God be thanked for his never ending mercies. God be thanked for the infinite gift of his Only begotten Son.

Recently

Some things have happened in my life that have given me cause to think. Really think about a lot of things. I have been spending a great deal of energy contemplating my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have known from an early age that Jesus Christ is in deed, the Son of the Living God. I have always felt that this is true. I have had these feelings reaffirmed to me countless times throughout my short life. I wanted to know at the age of fifteen that the church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints was His restored Gospel on the face of the Earth and that it was in fact t THE only church authorized to bear his name. I found myself in upstate NEW York in a grove of trees praying to know these things. When a spirit came over me testifying of truth. i received knowledge that day of the truthfulness of the Gospel, the source of the Book of Mormon, and the divine nature of the calling of Joseph Smith as the Prophet, Seer and Revelator of this, the last dispensation of the fullness of times. I was given a knowledge that man CANNOT give nor take away.
I have had my faith tried since then and I have never lost this testimony.
I am grateful for this abiding knowledge. I am grateful for the love of a Holy Father in Heaven that loves me because he knows me as an individual. I am grateful to be a member of the kingdom of God. I am thankful to have (a limited) knowledge of the Atonement. I am grateful for a testimony of the restoration and all of the blessings that are made possible to me by it. The sealing covenant, the priesthood, the understanding of the nature of God, the knowledge of repentance and the redemption of mankind through and infinite atonement.
I am so glad that My wife is my companion. I am ever grateful for our children and I strive each day to be worthy of an eternal relationship with each of them. I am grateful that my wife was brought up in a home that feared the Lord and gave her a legacy of faith. I am grateful to be a part of that legacy. I am thankful for what this legacy can mean for our children. So when they have cause to reflect, they may know where they can look for a redemption of their sins and everlasting life.
I am thankful for parents that love the Lord. I am grateful for the example that my mother has given me, She has taught me by example that "Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can."
I keep this record of sorts so that Our children can look back on the ins and outs of our lives together and be supported and reminded of the things that we went through. and be able to recognize that all things will be for their good if they keep their eye single to His glory.

God be thanked for the matchless gift of His Son.

Testimonies of the Prophets

So I saw this on My Sister-in-Laws Blog and thought I would post it here. Thanks to her for setting such a good example in sharing our beliefs.