"I'm Thankful For" Week - Day 4

I'm thankful for Goodly Parents.

As a young freshman in college, I was sure that I had developed my own testimony of the gospel. I was serving as the music coordinator and pianist in my singles ward, attending missionary prep class at the Institute, and I never missed a Sunday night fireside. I was half way through The Book of Mormon for my first time. That’s right. I had never read it all the way through for myself. I had taken seminary and institute classes and knew the scriptures but I hadn’t really studied them on my own. As I read, I realized that I didn’t have my own testimony. I had felt the spirit of girls camp, and EFY but I needed more. I had been surrounded by amazing leaders and examples and I was riding along on their faith in the gospel. As I sat down at the piano to rehearse a song that I would be accompanying the next week in sacrament meeting, I felt like I needed to work on something else. My Own Testimony. The next few weeks, instead of going to the fireside to check out all the cute return missionaries, I stayed home and finished the Book of Mormon. I prayed about the stories and about Joseph Smith. I was 20 years old when I felt the spirit burning inside me telling me the Book of Mormon was True. I wrote a song called My Own Testimony after this experience. It was a song just for me. To remind me of what I have and who I am.
I played it often.

The first verse of my little song goes like this:

Like Nephi of Old,
I've been born of Goodly Parents.
They have taught me what they know.
About Divine Inheritance.
and How I am a child of God. and How I've been blessed.
But now I need to Know for Myself.

I thought that the months leading up to my song and testimony building was because I was going to serve a mission. I had my papers filled out and I was ready to go.
But I wasnt supposed to go.
The months of prayer and reflection were just for me.
Heavenly Father knew I needed to work on my own foundation.
A few short months after I wrote my song I found out my parents were getting a divorce.

It was five years ago that our Little Family went through some crazy hard changes and challenges. Not in a million years would I have thought that we were gonna have to go through what we did. I am sure that is how most people feel after dealing with divorce. Its sad stuff and continues to be challenging.
but I am so grateful that I had my lil song. It helped me in hard times. It was my therapy. and it reminded me that I do have Goodly Parents.
My Parents have taught me so much and I love them with my whole heart and soul.
My Dad has taught me so much about Love and turning to your loved ones and Savior when times get tough. He is such a Handsome and Great man and I am so proud that he is my dad.
My Mom has taught me more about the Atonement than anyone ever could. She is such a strong and beautiful woman and I am lucky to have her as my mom.

Together they have taught me about relationships and marriage and the importance of communication. and The Importance of working together to keep Close to the Spirit.
I hope they dont mind me sharing my thoughts and feelings so publicly. but I want them to know I love them both so much. The other night I was talking with my Grandma about how this life is for learning and we have no idea what challenges we may face but what matters how we react to those challenges.
In Joseph B. Wirthlins Talk, "Come What may, and Love it" He said,
"Every life has peaks and shadows and times when it seems that the birds don't sing and bells don't ring. Yet in spite of discouragement and adversity, those who are happiest seem to have a way of learning from difficult times, becoming stronger, wiser, and happier as a result."
I wouldnt say I am happier because of the experience of my parents divorce. But I'd like to think I am stronger and wiser. and grateful for the love that is still very much in our Family.