Little To Many Words

So, this post is probably going to be a downer, or at some point it will get hopeful and testimonial.

Possible chance of not being the truest link...

To begin, a story. It will be a vague story, also names will be changed for the sake of being as informative, yet discreet at the same time.

A girl named Margo told me a heart-wrenching, gutting story. A story that is very much Calamitous. A story that is about another girl, whose name I actually don't know of but for the sake of name changing will be called Joan. Joan had something happen in her life that will never leave her the same girl she used to be. I won't go into details, (need I remind of the story being vague) but lets just say living in Utah has sheltered me from for the majority of my life. I knew it happened, but here? In Utah? Lets also assume that this story is a tear jerker, as well as something that has strengthened my testimony greatly in so little time. 

Let me go into greater detail. There are stories that have me reminding myself that I am so lucky to have grown up in a family that has been part of the LDS church for a big amount of time. If not for this incredible religion, that often has me reminded of love, gratitude, and continuing inspiration and faith, I would definitely be somewhere that is not healthy; spiritually, emotionally, and physically. I would be depressed, and would not be able to be convinced that there are so many people around me that love and care about me. I would not anywhere near where I am today.

I am so lucky that I have a family that loves me and always inspires me to be better and keep moving on, because this hard thing you are going through? Only a matter of time before it passes. I am incredibly lucky to have friends who constantly feel the need or desire to remind me that I am daughter of my Loving Heavenly Father. That I have friends who have stuck around long enough that we can cry on each others shoulders at sleepovers, which are normally for things other than crying need I remind you! I am also very lucky to have the knowledge that if not anyone else loves me, that I have two constants in my life, and that will never change. My loving Heavenly Father and my brother and Savior, Jesus Christ; who atoned for my sins. 

I am also deeply grateful for my patriarchal blessing. This blessing guides me time and time again through my life, and recently I have been reminded to certain words and sentences in it that give me hope and strength to keep going. Particularly the words, "It will be but a small moment". 

Today and the duration of General Conference Weekend I have been once again reminded of the Love my religion and family and friends that surrounds me. Of my increasing testimony and gratitude for that love.

BACKTRACK: I struggled with deciding how or if I should post this. My sister did tell me that I should write about this event in my journal. Which is a good idea, and while I know she wasn't thinking of the internet, this is what I chose to do. Because to me, my blog has become a journal to me, more so than my actual journal. I feel more connected to this, and also I feel more comfortable with this. I feel I made a good decision because I tried to tell a story, but protecting my friend and her story at the same time. I more so wanted to express my thoughts about the gospel as I learned of  the story. 

PICTURE: I chose this picture because it's beautiful and very well, tells its own story. I believe that you don't need a picture of a person crying to get the idea across that something sad and terrible is about to happen. Pictures of landscape or nature can be just as sad. This picture? It seems a tad lonely to me, which felt right for the basis of this post, but it also has a bit of hopefulness to it, which is also something I wanted to be said in the post. Because I majorly talked about the good things that I learned and were reminded of rather than focus on the bad, which will put a damper on  my mood for however long it needs to be felt.

Lets just all be reminded that our trials will be but a small moment, shall we?

Mercedes