Edified

Today was amazing. Have you ever had one of those days where you just can't stop smiling? Even if it's through joyful tears? I had one today. I hope you'll allow me to share. For the first time in about a year and a half I went to "early morning meeting" with a smile on my face and no dread in my heart! I came from the meeting feeling hopeful, cheerful, and filled with purpose. I came home and only briefly lost the "glow" while trying to coax two children out the door. I thoroughly enjoyed a wonderful testimony meeting. I had a small, but powerful insight while sitting pondering during the sacrament. I enjoyed a wonderfully enlightening, and uplifting lesson on the Holy Ghost during Gospel Principles. In Relief Society I witnessed a miracle of the spirit teaching. I had to teach a lesson today and though I had prepared by reading the material and thinking about it for a while, I felt no definite direction. I went to church hoping that all would come together nicely. I felt no panic, no rush, just a calm hope. The room was so full today! It has been a while since we've had so many sisters there! It was wonderful! As the lesson began, I just felt a clear picture of how to proceed and what to touch on and what to focus on. Most of the discussion was led perfectly from point to point by the wonderful sisters in my ward. I witnessed the power that comes when the sisters bring the spirit with them and participate together in teaching one another and I felt such a feeling of love and unity. It was a humbling thing to have the sisters comment on the wonderful lesson and to realize, "It wasn't me, it was the Spirit, and all of you!" And that is the truth! It was so wonderful!!! After the lesson, a sister handed me a sign up we had sent around. We used to have such a difficult time getting people to sign up for anything. I was so touched to look at this list of sisters willing to help. I just sat with my counselor and shed tears of joy and gratitude for the bond of sisterhood we have now! I can't believe that just a few short months ago I would have done almost anything to stay out of Relief Society! I just didn't understand what it was for. I am so grateful for this opportunity I have had to really understand what it is all about. I am so glad to have the opportunity to live in a transitional place where I can meet so many wonderful women who have taught me so much! I hope I can retain this knowledge well so that I don't have to learn it again! I ended the evening by attending a wonderful fireside with my Grandma, cousin, and her daughter. It was put on by Jenny Phillips for the Young Women. I just love the Young Women and it was a wonderful program!!! Thanks, Katie and Alex for letting me come "home" for a bit and enjoy the evening with you!