I Have Kept the Faith

"Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons
exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten."

As a daughter, I have always thought my dad was invincible. He could
cure any ailment. He loved me through all the pains, struggles, and
self-inflicted wounds this daughter brought to him. He stood with his
sword of truth, his shield of faith, and gathered me close, keeping me
safe and loved. As I grew, he let me stand beside him, teaching me how
to fight the dragons myself, how to enlist help from others, and his
greatest teaching - to pray to my Father in Heaven. He taught me to
pray to my Heavenly Father not only in help in beating the dragons but
to discern when a dragon in disguise was waiting for me.

I spoke with my brave dad today. My dad has been diagnosed with a
disease, a disease that will take him from me, first in mind and one
day in body. I love my dad, with all my heart. It's a love of a little
girl wishing to please her dad. It's a love of a rebellious teenager
who tested that love on many turns. And it's the love of a grown
daughter who at times is still this man's little girl. He has never
disappointed, never let me down, and always - even miles away - is
standing beside me, still waging the battle beside me against the
dragons in my life. There are dragons that some people have to face
that never came into my world because of my dad. There are dragons
that were weakened to the point of defeat before they even confronted
me. And there were dragons that were mine to battle, maybe even
invited into my life, that were fought and defeated because of this
man. How do I say I love you enough times? How do I show that love?
And how do I express to him that his teachings and fight on my behalf
matter, that they made the difference, and that I will continue this
fight all my life.

I don't know all the answers, but one way to show my dad all he is to
me is to continue the battle. And to share with my own how to sharpen
your sword, how to polish your shield, and how as a child and parent
you can win any battle. So I will continue. I will fight valiantly,
and I will love with all my heart, keeping me and mine safe as my dad
now battles a dragon I can't help much with.  A scripture has come to
mind that for me captures my dad in all the ways I love and admire
him. "I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have
kept the faith."

Kathi P.

Strength in Adversity

I have been blessed my whole life with the knowledge that my Heavenly Father and my Savior know me individually and love me.  There have been times however, that this has been made manifest to me and my testimony has grown because of it. These times are not great manifestations from heaven, but are small personal moments.  Many times it is something so small, but something I really need.

One time in particular that I felt my Savior’s love for me so strong was a couple of summers ago.  I was able to study abroad in Jerusalem for four months.  About a month before it was time to go home I started getting anxiety.  I did not know what it was (actually I’m still not sure if that’s what it was, but that’s the best way I can describe it).  This is something that was very new and different to me, because most of the time I do not stress about a lot.  However, I was stressed about a few decisions I knew I was going to have to make when I got home.  I did not vocalize these concerns to anyone, not even my parents.  Sometimes at night I would have a hard time breathing and I would just try to fall asleep to escape the constant wheels going in my head.  In my prayers I asked my Heavenly Father to give me feelings of peace and comfort.  One Saturday after church a group of us walked down to the Garden of Gethsemane.  I sat outside and pondered and read some scriptures.  Then a group of us went inside the church right next to the garden to sing.  There was a service going on so we sat quietly in the back waiting until it was over.  While I was sitting there I felt the most incredible feeling of peace come over me.  I almost didn’t want to move because I was scared I would lose it.  I knew right then that my Heavenly Father had heard my prayers and because of his great love for me he gave me those feelings of peace.  It might seem like such a small thing, but to me it was so huge and something I really needed at that time.  My earthly parents were far from me and I had not even vocalized my concerns to them, because I knew that there was nothing anyone could say to make me feel better, but my Heavenly Father and my Savior knew my thoughts and knew exactly how to comfort me.  That experience helped my testimony that my Heavenly Father and Savior really know me and are aware of my struggles grow so much.

I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love me and that no one knew how I was feeling, but that my savior did because he suffered in Gethsemane for not only my sins, but my weaknesses and my sorrows.  He was able to give me the comfort I needed when no one else could, because He had felt what I was feeling.  I know that we are sons and daughters or Heavenly Parents who love us so much and want to give us so many blessings, and when we turn to them in times of need they are there to comfort us and give us the strength we need to carry on.

Analise B.

The Gospel of Christ is a source of JOY

The Gospel of Jesus Christ has brought me so much joy in my life. Whenever I feel I am going through a hard time, I remember that Heavenly Father has a plan for me. If I had to do it all alone, I would be lost. Sometimes life just doesn't make sense, but my testimony of the Plan of Salvation gives me hope. I know that my Savior, Jesus Christ, suffered and died for me. I know that he knows me and what I am going through more than anyone else. I love the scripture John 14:18, where He says: "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come unto you." I know that He is always there to embrace us with His love, if we only let Him in.

I also love Alma 26:12 in the Book of Mormon where Alma says: "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my own strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise His name forever."  I know that without the Lord, I am nothing, but with Him I can do all things. I know that every success I have had in my life has been due to the hand of the Lord in my Life.

I am so grateful for this Gospel. It makes me so happy. I know that there is no greater source of Joy than the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that through the Atonement I can improve myself each day! He does not expect us to be perfect all at once, just that we turn to Him for help each day, so that we can grow closer to Him and become better disciples.

Whitney K.

God is real, and He is Good

            The walls were a faded blue, with peeling paint and mold creeping up the corners. The air was heavy and stale, and I coughed as I walked through a cloud of cigarette smoke. I asked “Aveti copii fara mame?” (Do you have any children without mothers?) The nurse I had directed the question to looked at me scornfully, but jutted her head to the side, motioning toward a room at the end of the long hallway. My steps echoed with pain and frustration as I walked, and my mind attempted to comprehend the reality of the situation. I entered the room and moved toward the first crib in sight. I peered over the rusty, paint-chipped bars and my heart stopped. Inside laid a little baby with eyes that reflected the sorrow of his life. His frail body was so thin that his transparent skin stretched over the bones, and he was too weak to even cry. He was sweaty and soiled, and as he struggled to breathe I gently picked him up to change him.
            I sank to my knees with this sick little boy wrapped in my arms and sobbed uncontrollably until I thought my heart would die from despair. I asked God why He would let one of his beloved children suffer in this way? How was it fair that this baby was starving from lack of proper nutrition? Why wasn’t there medicine to help heal this baby from his illness? Then as if God had heard my pleas for understanding, I could feel some of the sorrow lifted from my spirit. God answered and told me “This baby is here so that you could come to Romania and serve him, and learn through his trials.” I was humbled and as I tried to absorb the moment, the Lord automatically blessed me with comfort, and I could feel the infinite love He has for his children encircle us. The darkened room seemed to fill with light, and I knew in that moment that God is always mindful.
             In mortality we are blessed with trials that will test our faith in God and His plan. There will be times when following the path of discipleship is too much to bear because no man is exempt from sorrow or pain in this life. But I know that we are not left comfortless, and if our hearts are willing, we will be guided by our Father in Heaven. He will bless us with understanding, lift our burdens and give us hope for the future. God loves us unconditionally and regardless the circumstance of our lives. Never think that you are too far from the reach of God’s merciful hand, and know that because God lives, you are never alone.

-Cynthia S.