11/20/2011
I Remember...
I was reading my scriptures today and came across a scripture that I remember I read on my mission. I had forgotten about this experience I am about to share until I came across this scripture this evening.
About 4 months in the field I became very discouraged and decided I wanted to go home. I thought about this for a few days and finally called up my mission president and his advise was to call my mom and get her advice....so I called my mom and she said "You know that you are welcome home at any time...but I think you should go to someone in your ward for a blessing tonight before you decide."
I took her advice and that evening I told my companion that I wanted to go by Bro. Felton's home and get a blessing from him. I did not know Brother Felton well at this moment, but I felt that was the person for me to ask for help.
When we got the Felton's home we sat down together and I told Bro. Felton that I felt as if I wanted to return home...he smiled and said "Well...thing is, that when you knocked on my door I was studying for a talk I am to give this Sunday...the talk is on "Full-filling your duties and callings"." We talked for a while and he shared with me what he had just been studying and I did feel the spirit. He shared a quote that says
"Deep within the individual is a vast reservoir of untapped power waiting to be used. No person can have the use of all this potential until he learns to know his or her own self. The trouble with many people who fail is they go through life thinking and writing themselves off as ordinary, common place persons, having no proper belief in themselves, they fail to utilize their talents. They live aimless and erratic lives ver largely because they never realize what their lives really can be or what they can become."
-Norman Vincent Peale
After we talked for a while he went to change into his suit and tie, and prayed for guidance to know what to say when he laid his hands upon my head. I will always remember the challenge that was given to me during that blessing. He said "Sister Swaner, your Heavenly Father has a gift awaiting you, all you need to do is go to Him and ask for this gift and you shall receive it." After the blessing Bro. Felton told me to go home and pray for this gift, even if I had to kneel all night to receive it, it was worth the time I put in to asking for my Father in Heavens gift.
Well...I went home that evening and prayed and read my scriptures until 3:30 in the morning. I remember that every scripture I read held so much meaning that night. Finally...I received my gift from the Lord.
"Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.
Therefor, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see Him; for He will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in His own time, and in His own way, and according to His own will."
- D&C 88: 63, 67-68
I remember I read this scripture and I got on my knees once more. And while in prayer I felt what these scriptures promised. I remember the arms of my Savior came around me, and I never felt more love then I did in that moment.
Thank you Heavenly Father for thy gospel, for breath and for life.
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