A Full Heart

Today was a day that I can honestly say that I felt like my heart was full. We had a ward conference today and it was focused around the Atonement. It really touched me as I heard testimonies of the sacrifice that our Savior has made for us. He not only atoned for our sins but our pains, afflictions, infirmities, trials, and sicknesses. He suffered for ALL men. Every single one of us will need access to the Atonement throughout our lives. Whether it is for a major sin, a death of a loved one, a sickness, or a wayward child. We constantly need the healing power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Over the past 7 months I have experienced guilt and pain that is hard to describe. I have spent many nights alone with my tormented thoughts. I have had daily if not hourly reminders of my past and mistakes that I have made. I have been so overwhelmed with grief I have at times wondered if I had anything at all I could offer. But through it all I have felt the redeeming power and love of the Atonement in my life. It is real. The Savior lives. Our Father in Heaven lives and they desire for us to be happy and have peace of mind. We all can feel this power. We all can put our pasts behind us and allow the Atonement to work its miracle in our lives. No matter how dark and dreary our pasts may be, we can change and be healed through our Savior.

Life is a progression. We learn from our mistakes and if we put in the effort and if we are sincere we can change for the better. A quote I read recently says "no pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God...and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father in Heaven." I know this to be true and I am a witness of it.

I am so grateful for the blessings in my life. I have been blessed with literal angels in my life. People who have come into my life and shown me christlike love. People who I cherish and respect. People who understand the Atonement and who have taught me priceless lessons. People who have helped to bring happiness back into my life. People who see me for who I am and who I am striving to be. I love you. I am grateful for my children and their sweet spirits. They love me unconditionally and I love them. They are my little angels.

Today my heart is full and I owe it all to my Savior. I will have hard and trying days ahead of me. But I know that no matter what comes my way, I can find peace and healing through the Atonement.