A New Life

I finally have a few minutes to share some thoughts. This past weekend has been a whirlwind of emotion and was a very special time for me. On Sunday I was able to be baptized. It was a long awaited day for me and I am going to have a hard time describing the joy that I felt. Over the past year I have had this day set firmly in my mind as a goal and it was a relief to finally make it. I know that my journey is not over, but having this blessing in my life again is an incredible feeling.

I have felt inclined to share my experiences and feelings with you over the past year with the hope of being able to help. Over the past year I have gained a testimony of a very important part in God's plan. How He uses other people to help us through this life. My baptism on Sunday showed me how God truly desires His church to be. My ward that I attend is filled with the most wonderful people I have ever met. They have loved me and supported me through this trial and on Sunday they showed me what it means to serve and have charity. I was humbled and filled with gratitude as many, many people from my ward came to support me at my baptism. Enough people to fill the chapel. It was yet another life changing experience for me and I will be eternally grateful for my ward family. I love them. I would not have been able to make it to where I am today without them. I truly believe that in our times of need, God will place people in our lives and miracles will happen. We are all in this together!

I was asked on Sunday how I was able to make it to this point. The only answer that came to my mind is GOD'S LOVE. I have known from the beginning that even with the terrible decisions I made in that past that God loves me. He let me know that. He loves all of us so much. It is His love that allows us to change. His love is what sustains us and fortifies us. If we allow it, His love will by far outweigh the pain and suffering we endure during trials. I am so grateful to Him for allowing me to suffer consequences, but providing a way for me to feel peace, comfort, and strength.

My heart is full as I sit here and look back on my experiences from the last year. I want to say, once again, that God loves all of us and we all can change. I know that the Atonement is real and it can heal. I have a long road ahead of me and I will still have my challenges and trials. But I truly believe that a loving Heavenly Father has allowed me to heal and have a second chance. A new life. He has taken me from the very bottom and carried me back on to the path. I know that we all can feel this love everyday and that we all can tap into the great power of the Atonement. His plan is perfect. If we follow it, we will be blessed and we will grow and become better.

I am going to continue this blog as I press forward and move on with my life. My hope and desire is that people I come in contact with will know that I love the Lord and that I believe in change. I see the world and people in a different way today. My eyes are ready to rest for the night. Until next time.......