“Here then is a great truth. In the pain, the agony, and the heroic endeavors of life, we pass through a refiner's fire, and the insignificant and the unimportant in our lives can melt away like dross and make our faith bright, intact, and strong.” —James E. Faust, "The Refiner's Fire," Ensign, May 1979, 53

   I have had some really amazing spiritual well-filling opportunities and experiences of late and my heart feels full.  To be completely honest it's been a while since that has happened. And it's wonderful. I can "feel to sing the song of redeeming love".  What has helped?  I think it has been to make the choice to surround myself with Holy Ghost opportunities. Please understand that I am not professing to be perfect, in any way.  All I can do is just testify of what I have experienced and know to be true about our Savior, our Heavenly Father, the Plan of Redemption and the Atonement.
    So here's the story.  I'll start with the General Relief Society Broadcast - it was really wonderful.  Right from the start with Sister Burton's talk about the condition of our hearts the Holy Ghost was whispering to my soul.  Sister Burton asked some great questions - is the law or doctrine of the gospel written in your heart?  Is the gospel in your soul?  That was a great place for me to start: where do I stand with God the Father and His Son?  Where can I be better?  Am I really converted to the gospel I profess to believe in?  Do my beliefs show in my words and actions and thoughts?  I have a testimony that has carried my through trials, but I will confess that I let the worldly influences around me, around all of us, get in the way of letting me continue in my spiritual growth.  Thank the Heavens Sister Burton has a solution for this.
   The first thing Sister Burton suggests is to have an understanding of the Atonement, then to strengthen our families, keep our covenants and serve others.  I have found that in reality I am always doing these things in little ways.  (Side note: a while ago my mom told me to start looking for my successes, that has made such a big difference!)  I bet you are too.  Through my little actions my children are starting to have testimonies of their own.  I am striving to keep all of my covenants, which I'm trying to see and understand as committing to live a life of which He approves.  And I'm trying to serve others.  Sometimes I really want to just curl up with a blanket and read a book or throw myself into my crafting addiction, but I'm so much happier when I am out serving others, even if all I can do is something so so small.  Trying to remember and apply these teachings in my life is helping me to feel closer to the Spirit of God.
   A few weekends ago I went to Time Out For Women in Salt Lake City.  I really needed that weekend! There were amazing speakers - Virginia H. Pearce, Sheri Dew, Chris Williams (author of Let it Go), the authors of the cookbook Our Best Bites, Brad Wilcox, John Bytheway, Emily Freeman, and the musical talent Mercy River.  Okay I'm gonna sound super cheesy here but I laughed, I cried, and I felt the Spirit.  I received answers to prayers and guidance and direction for my life.  Some really specific direction, some really direct answers.  This is what I've learned: Heavenly Father loves each and every one of us.  He knows us personally and deeply.  Jesus Christ knows me and knows every time I've cried to the Father for forgiveness, or mercy, or help, or guidance, or relief from burden or pain.  As I seek the Father and the Son and seek to know them, or seek answers or guidance, They are there to answer the call.  Every time.
   Thinking of these things and trying to help one of my daughters, I asked her, what do you envision your life to be like in 10 years?  Where do you see yourself, what have you accomplished?  She said, I want my life to be easy.  So many things came to my mind, but one thought stands out to me now.  Do I want my life to be easy?  Is that why I kick and fight the trials that come my way?  Is that why I give in to temptation?  Is that why I can't seem to be  more diligent in scripture study and prayer?  So what do I envision my life to be like in 10 years, what have I accomplished?
   How about you?  Where do you see yourself in 10 years?  What has helped you feel to sing the song of redeeming love?
Hope to hear from you soon!
Sarah