One of the things I appreciate about being a part of this effort is to read the words of my fellow brothers and sisters. Their perspectives and experience enrich my experience engaging the words of the prophets. Of course, we don’t want our posts to replace the words of the prophets, but we hope perhaps this project will inspire you in some way, as it has us.   

The other posts from this week’s reading, which focused on the Sunday Afternoon Session of the October 1972 General Conference, are at the bottom of the post. (I’ve also included links to last week’s posts.)

There were a lot of things that stood out to me from this week’s reading for the General Conference Odyssey, but there is one message I feel most pressed to record for my life’s record.

The quote I will center my thoughts around in from Hartman Rector, Jr.

“[D]o the right thing because you love the Lord. It is so vitally important that, I feel, if you do anything in righteousness for any other reason than you love the Lord, you are wrong—at least you are on very shaky ground. And, somewhere your reasons for acting in righteousness will not be strong enough to see you through. You will give way to expediency, or peer group pressure, or honor, or fame, or applause, or the thrill of the moment, or some other worldly reason. Unless your motives are built upon the firm foundation of love of the Lord, you will not be able to stand.”

As a recovering perfectionist and people-pleaser, this concept of doing things for the right reasons is a critical life principle for me. I repeat the phrase “Do it for God” on almost a daily basis. But I can feel that God wants me to understand this little mantra of mine more deeply. This week, the concept of offering all that I do to God (and God alone) has come through in multiple ways: in a movie my daughter and I watched a week ago, in my 12-step meeting this week, in Relief Society on Sunday.

One hand, it seems so simple. Just do good because you love God. I think few of us who are religious choose such a life without some measure of love for God. And yet, the natural-man tendencies to want human reassurance are strong for me. As Elder Carl B. Cook said in his 2012 General Conference talk, “Look Up”:

I think the challenge for all of us…is to try not to look sideways to see how others are viewing our lives but to look up to see how Heavenly Father sees us. He doesn’t look on the outward appearance but on the heart (see 1 Samuel 16:7). And He knows, better than anyone else, what each one of us needs.

In addition to having the fear of man inside of me, I also am coming to realize that while I have always loved God and tried to be obedient, I have also feared Him. I have misunderstood His character. I spent four decades thought somehow I had to earn His love through my behavior and mistake-free living. I had grown up believing that God was somehow keeping score on my life, and I could never measure up. I wore myself out by trying to earn something that was freely given and always available.

I am still basking in this quote from Elder Rector, and the power of the scripture he shared as well.

It seems that, at this day and time, everything is in a state of change. There appears to be nothing in this life that is not subject to erosion, or decay, or just change for the sake of change—like the new automobile models each year. There is only one place where we can go and find consistency, and that is where Joseph went: to the Lord, for “he is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.” And the most important fact is that there is no place you can go where he is not. In the words of the psalmist,

“Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

“If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

“If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

“Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

“If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.

“Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.” (Ps. 139:7–12.)

I’m reminded of the quote from the last General Conference that left me weeping and still leaves me rejoicing. (*See footnote) Elder Holland said,

“My brothers and sisters, the first great commandment of all eternity is to love God with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength—that’s the first great commandment. But the first great truth of all eternity is that God loves us with all of His heart, might, mind, and strength. That love is the foundation stone of eternity, and it should be the foundation stone of our daily life. Indeed it is only with that reassurance burning in our soul that we can have the confidence to keep trying to improve, keep seeking forgiveness for our sins, and keep extending that grace to our neighbor.”

President Uchtdorf also testified, “The sheep is worthy of divine rescue simply because it is loved by the Good Shepherd.”

I use my little mantra, “Do it for God” whenever I feel myself slipping into insecurities, or worrying about what people think of me, or second-guessing myself, or trying to explain/justify/defend myself to get someone’s approval, or trying to manipulate or control someone else. But even after writing this post I’m realizing that the real message of “Do it for God” is more something like this:

Believe that His love for you and everyone else really is that big, so there is no reason to worry. He’s got this.

I am so grateful to be learning more in a heart-deep kind of way how much He loves us all. How much He loves me.

– – – –

*God is amazing. He knows how to prepare the ground of my heart for truths I most desperately need. He uses many ways and means (see Alma 37:7) for my salvation. My heart had been prepared for Elder Holland’s words months before General Conference, in part because of chapter in a book by by Max Lucado (creator of children’s books about a beloved character named Punchinello). The chapter was about the New Testament story of the woman who washed Jesus’ feet — a story that has become a favorite of mine in the past year. Lucado talks about how often we try to willpower our way to Christlike living — and fail in our efforts.

“[W]e try. Teeth clenched. Jaw firm. We’re going to love [serve God and others, obey] if it kills us. And it may do just that.

“Could it be that we are missing a step? Could it be that the first step of love is not toward [others] but toward [God]?…. (1 John 4:19)

“Long to be more loving? Begin by accepting your place as a dearly loved child…. (Eph. 5:1-2)

“Want to learn to forgive? Then consider how you have been forgiven…. (Eph. 4:32)

Finding it hard to put others first? Think of the way Christ put your first…. (Phil. 2:6)

Need more patience? Drink from the patience of God” (2 Pet. 3:9). Is generosity an elusive virtue? Then consider how generous God has been with you (Rom. 5:8). Having trouble putting up with ungrateful relatives or cranky neighbors? God puts up with you when you act the same…. (Luke 6:35)

(Cast of Characters, p. 24; scripture references included in original; NIV is used by author)

As John said, “We love him, because he first loved us.” The next time I think of doing whatever I’m doing for God, I’m going to also remind myself to consider all He has done and continues to do for me. Loving Him is so much easier when I first let Him love me.

– – – –

This week’s posts from the General Conference Odyssey:

A Little Weird is the Best Case Scenario

God of the Gaps

https://symphonyofdissent.wordpress.com/2016/06/14/the-gospel-is-never-more-beautiful/

“That Is How Christ Feels, and So Should We”

http://rainscamedown.blogspot.com/2016/06/hands-of-god.html
http://light-in-leaves.blogspot.com/2016/06/i-cannot-go-back.html

Last week’s posts, discussing the Sunday morning session of October 1972’s General Conference:

• Saviors in the Home by Nathaniel Givens
• A Home Where Mission is Part of Life by G
• Satan’s Effort to Influence and Control the Human Mind by Daniel Ortner
• Abomination and Understanding, Works and Grace by Ralph Hancock
• Divorce, Pornography, Turner, Persky, and Being a Mormon Woman by SilverRain
• Zombies, Mormons, and Ants by Jan Tolman
• We are the catalyst by Marilyn Nielson

The post Do it for God (i.e., Let Him love you!) #ldsconf Odyssey appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

This week, we are featuring videos from the Mormon Channel’s series, His Grace.

This story brings me to tears every time I hear it. A single young woman shares of her wrestle with what to do when she discovered she was pregnant. What she found through her heartrending process was how amazing God’s love and grace are.

The post Unplanned Pregnancy and God’s Love #AmazedbyGrace appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

On two different days this week, I wore purple. I don’t usually do things like this, so I wanted to write why I did.

First, read this post.

I wore purple to celebrate brave women like  TC who are talking about the struggles they have, and who are strengthening others through such vulnerability.  

I wore purple because I struggled with an eating disorder for over a decade of my life. I have touched on that here in other places (and I also found out that an essay I wrote about my experience got published in a book).

But I also wore purple because I think an awful lot of women struggle with what TC wrote about — the core of what eating disorders are often about. We don’t need to have an eating disorder or end up in the hospital or an inpatient facility to have this be a REAL and devastating illness amongst us as women. (I know men struggle, too, but I do think that this struggle runs deep with women.)

TC writes:

“I spent a lot of time listening and learning about how so many dynamic, smart, happy, lovely, fun, beautiful women ended up with eating disorders that were drastically affecting their lives.  In my experience, the universal problem was that we all trusted lies.  Every single one of us, on some level, believed lies.

 “The lies I trusted had a lot to do with being worthy.  I absolutely believed that I was unworthy… of everything.  I was unworthy of God, of love, my family, my friends, my children, my marriage… everything!  I believed that I could and would never be worthy, that nothing and no one could possibly EVER love me, simply because I was unlovable, I was unworthy of love.  And I believed this with all of my heart.  To me, this was reality. “

My dear sisters, your Heavenly Father loves you—each of you. That love never changes. It is not influenced by your appearance, by your possessions, or by the amount of money you have in your bank account. It is not changed by your talents and abilities. It is simply there. It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God’s love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve love. It is simply always there.

The post I wore purple appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

Sister Peggy Worthen gave a powerful talk in BYU Women’s Conference to parents who have children who wander or struggle. She infused her thoughts with the tender feelings that have come from personal experience. Her focus was on the parable of the Prodigal Son, reflecting on what the mother of the prodigal might have felt and done.

The following talks/articles were referenced in her talk and could have some insight for any who have loved ones who are struggling.

“Your lives, your friendships, your marriages, your families, your neighbors and coworkers currently constitute the sample of humanity which God has given you. We are each other’s clinical material, and we make a mistake when we disregard that sober fact. No wonder, therefore, we feel stress at times.”
-Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Jesus, the Perfect Mentor

Lost and Found: Pondering the Parable of the Prodigal Son by Robert L. Millet

The Other Prodigal by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Covenant Marriage (he also reflects on covenant parenting) by Bruce C. Hafen

Her husband, Kevin J. Worthen followed up with a talk about the reality and doctrine of God’s perfect love for all of us.

There may be times when we want to go Home to God for a day to rest. Elder Worthen See the story of a mother found in this talk:http://bit.ly/ZqByWb

And also shared the story of Jonathon Napela, which can be found in this article.

The post When Loved Ones Wander or We Are Each Other’s Clinical Material appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

Editor’s note: I’ve run into a few stories that I wanted to share from those who are religious and have experienced same-sex attraction for their whole lives…and who are choosing to live according to traditional Judeo-Christian standards of sexual purity and a belief in marriage between a man and a woman. And how God is helping them do just that.

1.

The first story has made the rounds a lot in social media over the last several weeks. On the sidebar of his blog, he says this in response to who he is:

1. He’s a Marriage and Family Therapist.

2. He’s an active Mormon

3. He’s gay

4. He’s married to a woman (who is awesome!)

5. He’s amazing.

6. He writes this blog. He writes about ALL kinds of things. It will make you laugh. It will make you cry. It might even make you mad or offended. Give it a try.

Until recently, his blog followers did not know that he has dealt with SSA his whole life. He and his wife decided together to share their story on their tenth wedding anniversary. One of the parts of their post that has stuck out to a lot of people is their description of why their sex life is great. Some have wanted to dismiss their experience, but in truth, I think their statement about intimacy captures divine truth about sexuality and intimacy.

When sex is done right, at its deepest level it is about intimacy. It is about one human being connecting with another human being they love. It is a beautiful physical manifestation of two people being connected in a truly vulnerable, intimate manner because they love each other profoundly. It is bodies connecting and souls connecting. It is beautiful and rich and fulfilling and spiritual and amazing. Many people never get to this point in their sex lives because it requires incredible communication, trust, vulnerability, and connection. [And I would add, because the focus is on filling personal ‘needs’ rather than building a truly intimate, whole relationship — sharing fullness, not filling emptiness.] And Lolly [Mrs. Weed] and I have had that from day one, mostly because we weren’t distracted by the powerful chemicals of infatuation and obsession that usually bring a couple together (which dwindle dramatically after the first few years of marriage anyway). So, in a weird way, the circumstances of our marriage allowed us to build a sexual relationship that is based on everything partners should want in their sex-life: intimacy, communication, genuine love and affection.

[It struck me that this could perhaps be a guide for those who come to our site struggling with the impact of addiction or other unhealthy patterns on an intimate/sexual relationship, so I hope readers so struggling will consider what he shared here.]

The post is long, but it’s well worth the read. His wife, Lolly also shares her side of the story.

2.

I stumbled last week on this blog post by a Catholic man whose blog tagline is “Catholic, Gay, and Feeling Fine.” I actually found his guest post on this blog.

There was much that struck me about his post and perspective. Following are a few snippets.

When Steve, the guest poster, shares with others that he is gay and Catholic and choosing to be celibate, he says he usually gets a loving, supportive response.

[T]he only time I get shock or disgust or disbelief, the only time I’ve noticed people treating me differently after I tell them, is when I tell someone who supports the gay lifestyle. Celibacy?? You must be some kind of freak.

Hooray for tolerance of different viewpoints. I’m grateful to gay activists for some things — making people people more aware of the prevalence of homosexuality, making homophobia less socially acceptable — but they also make it more difficult for me to be understood, to be accepted for who I am and what I believe. If I want open-mindedness, acceptance, and understanding, I look to Catholics.

I hope he could look to Mormons and other religious people, too. It’s my hope that there can be support and encouragement across religions for those who are making such choices. I applaud his choice and his faith in God.

Two more quotes from his post that I loved that I found inspirational:

And as my friend J. said when I told him recently about my homosexuality, “I guess if it wasn’t that, it would have been something else.” Meaning that nobody lives without a burden of one kind or another. As Rabbi Abraham Heschel said: “The man who has not suffered, what can he possibly know, anyway?”

And:

[I]f you believe that men and women and sex and marriage are pretty much whatever we say they are, then okay: we don’t have much left to talk about. That’s not the world I live in….

Being a Catholic means believing in a God who literally waits in the chapel for me, hoping I’ll stop by just for ten minutes so he can pour out love and healing on my heart. Which is worth more — all this, or getting to have sex with who I want? I wish everybody, straight or gay, had as beautiful a life as I have.

What a beautiful testimony of the power of God’s love! Whatever our trials may be, and whatever our chapels may look like (or wherever we may choose to worship God), would that we could all feel such trust and comfort and peace in God’s love and grace.

Again, I recommend reading the whole post.

3.

Gay Mormon Guy is a Mormon who has chosen a celibate life. We’ve shared his blog before, and we’re grateful for his willingness to share his story. He’s raw and honest about the fact that sometimes it can be hard, but he’s also bold about sharing his conviction about his faith and the rightness of his choice to be celibate. There’s no way to point to just one post that sums up his story, so you might end up reading several posts. His is a blog that many put in their reader to hear more of his journey as it unfolds.

4.

Ty Mansfield is also a Mormon man who has written about his life being LDS with same-sex attraction. He also chose to be committed to celibacy and his faith. He had a time when he had what he describes as a “faith crisis” but had found peace and had decided to share it in a book (In Quiet Desperation). It was in reading that book that I first became acquainted with Ty Mansfield’s story. His faith and peace was evident and inspiring. I felt he had things to teach me for my own trials (in similar ways that Steve’s thoughts resonated with me — we all have trials, and we all need God, and we can rely on Him to help us!)

Ty says that “I had pretty much concluded that I probably wouldn’t marry in this life, and I had come to a place where I was okay with that.”

But his story didn’t stop there. In I think he surprised a lot of people by getting married. He shares in this LDS Living article how that happened. Some highlights are below.

I had let go of any personal or cultural pressure to marry and was content to stay single. Then I had an experience in which I felt prompted to continue to prepare myself spiritually and emotionally for the blessing of marriage and leave the rest to the Lord. As much as I felt I wouldn’t marry, I tried to leave it an open question and to trust in God. I felt good about that spiritually, but I continued to experience some emotional ups and downs.

Some time after that, I was earnestly seeking additional divine guidance. I was feeling frustration around some deep emotional connections I had developed with another guy, and it hurt that I couldn’t have what a part of me really wanted. I needed some spiritual reassurance. It was general conference time, so I wrote down some of my most heartfelt questions and went into the Saturday morning session fasting.

As soon as the opening prayer was given, I was completely enveloped by this spiritual feeling. I hardly remember anything that was said during the session, but the feeling was unlike anything I’ve ever felt. For nearly two hours, all the hurt, the pain, the confusion, the frustration were completely gone. In their place was this feeling of divine love I had also never experienced. As a part of that, there was a feeling of what I perceived as pure celestial love and desire to be with a daughter of God in the most holy, connected, and uniting of ways. The world’s portrayal of love and romance seemed so shallow and “false” in comparison. With the feeling came the words: “Just stay with me. If you do, this is the feeling you will someday feel—and it will be a permanent part of your being.” And then suddenly, as the end of the session approached, the feeling left. I didn’t know how I would eventually grow into that feeling as an integral part of my being, but I trusted that God would lead me there.

And He did. Read Ty’s whole story at LDS Living here. His wife, Danielle, also shares her side of their story.

The post Living with SSA: Trusting in God, His plan, His promises appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

~by Brenda

With Mother’s Day right around the corner for women in many parts of the world, several posts on motherhood have been swirling in my head.

I could give tips on what moms really want this Mother’s Day.

I could share my personal experiences with all the different mothers in my life and pay tribute to the women who are helping me to raise my children. Neighbors, preschool and piano teachers – I love you.

I could write a post memorializing my own good mother. And maybe I will!

But today I want to touch on a subject my friend and I talked about last night that indirectly applies to Motherhood: God’s love. My task-driven attempts to earn God’s approval as a mother are failing. I’ve been spinning my wheels checking all the right boxes day in and day out and despite the buzz of good works I’m building up, I have felt a spiritual distance developing. After recounting my day and the struggles I faced to my friend over the phone, she gently reminded me that I don’t need to earn God’s love. I already have it.

I let out a sigh and let that sink in.

I already have God’s love.

And that felt so RIGHT. I have felt it, I know God is there and what He has chosen to share with me of Himself is kind, gentle and entreating. That internal voice that scolds me for forgetting to bring in cut flowers for Teacher Appreciation day, the shame I feel as papers fly out every time I open the car door and the weariness I feel when I find my toddler has smashed strawberries into the carpet -AGAIN isn’t God. It’s me, or worse the devil, trying to discourage me from feeling God’s love.

To combat this effective trap of the adversary I am praying. Praying to feel God’s love. Praying to know that He accepts my sacrifice as a mother. Praying for access to His divine grace. Praying that He will multiply my efforts for the benefit of my family. Praying for the peace He promised for those who love Him.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid.

I no longer want to trouble my heart with silly distractions. God and my family love me. Despite all of my weaknesses, and maybe even because of them, God and my family love me. And to all those mothers who are also fretfully spinning their wheels: God loves you too.

I wish you all a very peaceful Mother’s Day.

The post For moms who wonder if they are enough: A Mother’s Day gift appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

It is so easy in this busy, sometimes crazy life to feel alone; to feel like no one understands, or cares.

It is easy to believe we are left to ourselves, if we don’t lift our eyes and hearts to God.

And yet, when we take the time to call upon His name, we can know that God is there.

Over the past few months, I have been overwhelmed with the challenges I faced. Focusing on those challenges, my weaknesses, and what seemed hopeless to overcome, I forgot to look up. I wallowed in self-pity, fear, and neglect. I felt alone.

A talk at church reminded me of the importance of kneeling to pray (my prayers had become those horizontal, half-asleep kind you offer if you try to pray lying down). I decided to try it that night, and knelt to pray on my bed, with a talk by our prophet, Thomas S. Monson on in the background because I knew I needed to pray, but couldn’t reach to turn it off.

The worries and concerns that had plagued me filled my heart as I closed my eyes. I had barely bowed my head and spoken the words, “Dear Heavenly Father” when I heard President Monson’s voice speak:

“The Lord will provide the help you need.”

Those exact words, exactly when I needed them most filled my heart with the reassurance that I am not alone. I am not forgotten. Someone understands and cares, and answers the heartfelt prayers of His children when they seek Him, even imperfectly! I do need to do better – kneeling with no distractions helps me focus my prayers better, and hear His replies more clearly! But He heard and answered my heart’s concerns at that moment.

The next day, I got on my knees, and prayed for help, then forced myself to face and deal with the things that I had worried about. One by one, those burdens were lifted. Problems were resolved. Peace was restored, and my heart was filled with joy as I saw God had indeed answered my prayer, and fulfilled the promise He made through His prophet that He would “provide the help [I] need[ed]!”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles summed it up this way:

“But whenever these moments of our extremity come, we must not succumb to the fear that God has abandoned us or that He does not hear our prayers. He does hear us. He does see us. He does love us. When we are in dire circumstances and want to cry “Where art Thou?” it is imperative that we remember He is right there with us—where He has always been! We must continue to believe, continue to have faith, continue to pray and plead with heaven, even if we feel for a time our prayers are not heard and that God has somehow gone away. He is there. Our prayers are heard.”– Jeffrey R. Holland, “Lessons from Liberty Jail,” Ensign, Sept. 2009, p. 26

I add my witness to his: God is there!

The post First Person: God Is There appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

There are certain things that I do that make me feel close to the Lord.

George Washington Carver said, “I like to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us, if only we will tune in.”

I’m inclined to agree with Mr. Carver, for I see evidence of God’s love as I wander in the mountains,

watch the sun rise or admire flowers growing around me.

Martin Luther said, “God writes the gospel not in the bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars.”

I feel a confirmation from the Spirit that our Savior, Jesus Christ, created the earth for us. These same feelings are the ones that help me know that He lives.

I feel peace in my soul when I am in the quiet of nature, away from the sounds of town. Out here is where I know, God loves me.

He loves you, too.

Please share a time when you felt close to God while enjoying the beauties of nature.

————–

For more Sharing Our Voices posts, please click here.

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I was married over 8 years ago when I was barely 19 years old. I felt mature enough to make that kind of decision then and haven’t regretted it (or the man I chose) for a moment. We now have three young children. I won’t tell you they’re perfect angels but I love them to pieces no matter what.

I was born in sunny Southern California but lived most of my life in central Utah. We are now living in Maryland and while it has grown on me, this isn’t “home” for us. Though I only lived in the desert a short time it’s my favorite climate so I’m hoping we’ll soon move somewhere that is hot year-round. I was born to Mormon parents, was baptized when I was 8 and never really doubted the gospel teachings my entire life. But I did go through a period of severe trial a few years ago when I questioned for the first time, everything I’d ever believed. I came through more converted to and sure of the truth of the gospel than I previously had been. I hope to serve a mission for the Mormon Church with my husband after our kids are grown.

In my life, I am a mom first. I get to stay at home with my children and I love it! But I also run a blog design business. In the past I’ve done genealogical research for hire. I am currently the Music Chair in our ward, so I schedule special musical performances and select the hymns for our sacrament service each week.

My biggest hobby is learning. I am constantly trying to teach myself new things, so I have a large list of hobbies and talents I’ve acquired: I love to play the piano, write, read, bake, do cake decorating, scrapbook, couponing, blogging, genealogy, beading, organizing and so much more!

When I was 5 year old, I hopped off the school bus after kindergarten expecting my dad to be there to pick me up. When I didn’t see his truck, I just walked home since it wasn’t too far. I wasn’t afraid until I got to the front door and found it locked. I knew then that no one was home and that I’d either been forgotten or something had happened to my dad. I remembered my parents telling me if I was ever in trouble or scared to say a prayer. I knelt down on the sidewalk and cried my little heart out to God. It was only a few minutes later that a family friend (and not a member of our church) who lived around the block came up the cul-de-sac. She told me she had been sitting in her house when she just knew she needed to come to ours. We called my dad, who had lost track of the time at work and he came home right away. This was a testimony to me that Heavenly Father hears our prayers and that he often uses others to answer them. It reminds me that I need to be listening for His inspiration always.

Besides the tesimony building experience mentioned above, I had a specific moment of clarity concerning God’s love for me when I was about 14 years old. I was going through a lot of turmoil in my mind due to depression and other factors that were yet to be diagnosed. I truly loathed who I was and thought often about ending my life. I was in my room one night thinking my usual bleak thoughts when I suddenly felt God’s love for me through my whole body. I don’t even know how to describe it, just that I felt absolutely overwhelmed at that moment by the most intense love. I knew without a doubt that it was God telling me how very much he loved me and I broke down and wept with relief at the thought that he still had hope in me.

I love being a Mormon woman because no matter where I am in the world, I have instant friendship and support; our church is such a close knit community. We are constantly having activities together and serving each other. It’s really helpful especially if you live so far away from family like we do.
—
For more Portraits of Mormon Women, please click here.

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Something happened yesterday that reminded me that God watches out for me. I was reading books with my son at the library (I don’t go to the library very often). After about 45 minutes we walked up to the desk to check out the books we had chosen. There was a woman standing at the desk asking about library cards, and she looked really familiar to me. I was pretty sure I knew her from my previous hometown, in another state. After I was finished checking out my books, we walked out of the library at the same time, and I asked her, “Who are you?” (Yes, kind of uncouth, but I needed to know who she was.) She said, “Emily.” I said, “I KNOW you! What are you doing here in this state?” She said, “My husband got an internship nearby and we will be here for the summer.”

Now let me back up a bit. We only lived in the previous location for a year, but it was a wonderful year. Everyone at church was so welcoming and kind. We loved the town. We grew up a little bit there because we had no family to rely on, but our ward became our family. We miss our friends. We miss our ward. We miss a lot about that town. When we moved to our current home, I had a really hard time at first because I missed so much about our wonderful year, our wonderful town.

Emily and her husband Pete were in our previous ward. Her husband was my son’s nursery teacher (and he was awesome). Emily was in the Primary presidency, and I was in the Young Women’s presidency, so we didn’t get many opportunities to get to know each other. When she found out she was moving for the summer, some people in the ward told her to call me, but she said, “Erin and I didn’t get to talk much. She wouldn’t even know who I was if I called her.”

Since they are only going to be here for three months, they found a place that has cheap rent on a month to month contract, and is furnished. But it is in kind of a questionable area. They only got here on Wednesday night, and they are already having concerns with where they live. Emily was just hoping she could find a stay-at-home mom that she could hang out with over the summer, because her husband will be gone a lot (and they have a five-month-old baby boy).

I love how God put us both at the library at the exact same time, less than 48 hours after Pete & Emily moved here. I love how God knew that Emily would need me this summer, because she has no family here and she would likely be lonely. I love how God knew that bringing Emily into my life right now would be like bringing a little piece of our little town back to me for a moment. And now I have the chance to build a new friendship with someone, which I always love. So thank you, God, for reminding me that you care about me and that you watch out for all of us.

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