The Yellow Butterflies of Life
Amazingly, I have somehow survived my first four weeks of college. I nailed my first exam and am proud to say I'm sporting pretty much all A's. But, to be honest, it's been a whirlwind of stress, late night Walmart runs, numerous calls to my mom about laundry and classes, and ice cream. Thankfully, one thing has remained constant in my life and that is the gospel.
I am so thankful for the restored gospel in my life. Unfortunately, I haven't gotten to read as much scripture as I like, but I am slowly learning to tear myself away from my work and dedicate some time to the Lord each day. College is a whole lot different. There is no mom or dad to remind that you should probably stop doing homework and eat something.
Despite all the hard work, it has also been a lot of fun. My suite-mate and I get along really well. My roommate is nice. My boyfriend came and visited me and this past week and then him and my parents came to my college for Parent's Weekend. And of course, there's football games to go to! The first one I had to bail out because it was outrageously hot, but this past one was amazing weather-wise. Game wise, my team needed a little work.
But...I am so thankful for Heavenly Father. He truly knows each one of us and knows what we need. He sends us little reminders everyday, if we look for them, that things will be okay. Heavenly Father knows there is "a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance" (Ecclesiastes 3:4) and wants us to remember that as well. He a lot of times knows what we need before we do and He will never send us a trial we cannot handle.
A lot these past few weeks, I have questioned if I could do this and I know with Heavenly Father's support behind me, I can achieve anything. He makes weak things strong and qualifies them for His work. I am so excited to answer whatever call He gives me.
However...He knows I'm stubborn and I need reminders. A lot of reminders. Heavenly Father always sends a yellow butterfly in my path when I'm worried or stressed. It's a beautiful reminder that everything will be okay. There is beauty in the world, there is things to be marveled at (like the biology of a yellow butterfly), and this moment in my life is just a small speck in eternity. If I had $10 for every time, I've seen a yellow butterfly in the past 6 months, I might be close to being a millionaire.
Elder Neal A. Maxwell said, "Trials and tribulations tend to squeeze the artificiality out of us, leaving the essence of what we really are and clarifying what we really yearn for." This is so true. When we are given trials, they are the refiner's fire that create the person we are. Knowing these are a part of God's plan makes it a little easier to let these tribulations teach us, rather than make us bitter. I know personally that resisting to become bitter and harsh is hard when dealing with trials. It's so difficult to remain true to Christ and remember to act like Him. But, it is very possible and overwhelmingly beneficial.
I am so grateful for the trials in my life and I may regret writing this, but I welcome them. Each one is a teaching moment and I know that I will come through the fire a little bit tougher with my faith intact. I don't think I could've gotten through the past 6 months or so without the Lord and the restored gospel. I now know with a burning testimony that while the people in your life may leave, your bedroom may be suddenly in a different town, or any other worldly thing may change, the restored gospel, the scriptures, and Heavenly Father never changes. I testify that if you learn to lean on the Lord and trust in His plan, you will be able to bear your burdens a little bit easier.
How does the Lord remind you that it's going to be okay?
I am so thankful for the restored gospel in my life. Unfortunately, I haven't gotten to read as much scripture as I like, but I am slowly learning to tear myself away from my work and dedicate some time to the Lord each day. College is a whole lot different. There is no mom or dad to remind that you should probably stop doing homework and eat something.
Despite all the hard work, it has also been a lot of fun. My suite-mate and I get along really well. My roommate is nice. My boyfriend came and visited me and this past week and then him and my parents came to my college for Parent's Weekend. And of course, there's football games to go to! The first one I had to bail out because it was outrageously hot, but this past one was amazing weather-wise. Game wise, my team needed a little work.
But...I am so thankful for Heavenly Father. He truly knows each one of us and knows what we need. He sends us little reminders everyday, if we look for them, that things will be okay. Heavenly Father knows there is "a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance" (Ecclesiastes 3:4) and wants us to remember that as well. He a lot of times knows what we need before we do and He will never send us a trial we cannot handle.
A lot these past few weeks, I have questioned if I could do this and I know with Heavenly Father's support behind me, I can achieve anything. He makes weak things strong and qualifies them for His work. I am so excited to answer whatever call He gives me.
However...He knows I'm stubborn and I need reminders. A lot of reminders. Heavenly Father always sends a yellow butterfly in my path when I'm worried or stressed. It's a beautiful reminder that everything will be okay. There is beauty in the world, there is things to be marveled at (like the biology of a yellow butterfly), and this moment in my life is just a small speck in eternity. If I had $10 for every time, I've seen a yellow butterfly in the past 6 months, I might be close to being a millionaire.
Elder Neal A. Maxwell said, "Trials and tribulations tend to squeeze the artificiality out of us, leaving the essence of what we really are and clarifying what we really yearn for." This is so true. When we are given trials, they are the refiner's fire that create the person we are. Knowing these are a part of God's plan makes it a little easier to let these tribulations teach us, rather than make us bitter. I know personally that resisting to become bitter and harsh is hard when dealing with trials. It's so difficult to remain true to Christ and remember to act like Him. But, it is very possible and overwhelmingly beneficial.
I am so grateful for the trials in my life and I may regret writing this, but I welcome them. Each one is a teaching moment and I know that I will come through the fire a little bit tougher with my faith intact. I don't think I could've gotten through the past 6 months or so without the Lord and the restored gospel. I now know with a burning testimony that while the people in your life may leave, your bedroom may be suddenly in a different town, or any other worldly thing may change, the restored gospel, the scriptures, and Heavenly Father never changes. I testify that if you learn to lean on the Lord and trust in His plan, you will be able to bear your burdens a little bit easier.
How does the Lord remind you that it's going to be okay?
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