Monday, March 14, 2011

Feeling Rather Blessed!

I looked at a few of my friends and family's blogs tonight and decided I should write as well.  It had been sometime since I wrote. 

I have been thinking so much about how much I have, and how grateful for the people and things that shaped and influenced my life and Character.  I have been talking to a guy a lot lately....Let's call him "Bob."  As we have been getting to know each other better it has been interesting to see how many things in my life I have learned from, and have overcome, and survived, and grown because of. 

Tonight I told him a few stories of heartache, sorrow, and fear.  But as I finished the stories that had once been so devastating and hard to live through I said that I wouldn't trade those experiences now for anything.  I learned so much about who I am, I learned to call on God, to use the healing power of the Atonement, to trust in the Lord with all my heart.  I learned to choose to move on with life, to look for ways to solve the problems instead of be for ever crushed or conquered by them.  I learned that there was more out there for Sonja Nelson.  I have reflected on these life changing things to relate and empathise with others.  I learned that I could choose to be fearful, or bitter or I could choose to be happy.  I could look at the bright side, try to find the irony and humor or be a dark cloud of negativity.  I am grateful for the hardships I have undergone. 

I am sorry for the extra problems I have caused for myself by trying to solve it all alone at times.  And I am ever so grateful that I do not have to take life on solo.  I am grateful for my family, for my friends, co-workers, neighbors, and even complete strangers that have lifted me, strengthened me, given me advice, listened to my woes, helped me laugh and smile when things looked grim, and challenged me to be better than I was.  I am grateful for the Love and beauty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am grateful to know that He Atoned for the sin's of the world, but most especially mine.  I am grateful that Christ has fulfilled His part of the Eternal Plan of Salvation so that each of us might look to Him and live.  He is the way, the truth and the life.  He has paid the price for each of us to become clean, pure, whole and someday be like Him.  It is up to us to fully turn our hearts, find the strength to trudge on, calling on His name and trusting in Our Father's care.  I have seen God's Hand in my life.  I know He lives, that He loves me and that He has a plan for me.  He does not stop me from getting injured on the rocks of the shore of life, but he can help me land more easily, be stronger to meet the opposition, and heal my cuts and injuries so I might be whole once more. 

I am grateful for the gift and Power of Prayer.  I have always known that God hears and answers my prayers, even if it is not the answer I want.  I know that I have learned to listen better, ask more direct questions, and learned to seek His will over my own.  I am blessed indeed to have been directed so carefully through out my life.  I never imagined myself to be where I am specifically today.  But I have been reflecting as I have talked and messaged "Bob" on how this is exactly where I am supposed to be, able to fulfil the tasks and opportunities in a very exciting time for me in life, in work and in my callings.  I have been prepared for such a time as this.  I am able to help, and serve, and work, and build, and in some ways pioneer a new program to much success.  Life has not been perfect, but I have become more whole because of my trust and obedience in God's Plan for me.  I am grateful that I need to not live with fear, regret, bitterness, or malice...those are some of the worst foes of Hope, Joy, Happiness, and Peace.  I am excited to see what this year has to offer, and I hope to be able to share the Hope, Joy, Happiness, and Peace that I have been given in such abundance.