Marci Dawn

Today was a rough day.
Sometimes being away from your family, and boyfriend, good friends(most days), and being stressed and exhausted really takes a toll on your body. After a rough day of missing my family way too much and feeling super lonely I crawled to the girls bathroom and let out all of my frustrations with a good long hard cry. While i was sitting in the bathroom i really realized that i needed the Lord to help me, i prayed for strength and for peace. Well as soon as i walk out of the bathroom a banner hung up outside reads "It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. Put your trust in God, and move forward in faith and with confidence in the future. God will not forsake us. He will not forsake us. If we will put our trust in himm, if we will pray to himk if we live worthy of his blessings, he will hear our prayers." -Gordon B. Hinckley
Gosh this was just what I needed. I immediately wrote it down and texted it to Annie (we share all good quotes via text). Not only did this quote inspire me but as I walked to my institute class we were going over the talks "Be Your Best Self" and "Be of Good Cheer" both by President Thomas S. Monson. I felt like the whole lesson was inspired for me. In the first talk I really loved how he talks about the amazing strength of the priesthood. Harold B. Lee describes the priesthood as "the Lord's...troops against the forces of evil." How amazing. How lucky are we that we get to have fathers and future husbands and grandpas and bishops and uncles that hold this power. That we have direct access to its amazing blessings. I know that many times in my life my father has given me a priesthood blessing and it has always spoke straight to the many concerns of my heart. I also love how it says "prayer is the provider of spiritual strength; it is the passport of peace." I know that many times prayer has been my only source of comfort. I have needed it in many trying situations when i was so unsure of myself and my roles as a daughter of God. It has helped bring so much peace and happiness in my life. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father is always there for me and that he will always be my best friend.
In the next talk "Be of Good Cheer" my favorite line of the whole talk was "Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith." I also love the part where it says "He will not remove our troubles from us but rather will enable us to face our challenges, to meet them head on. and to emerge victorious." I know these talks have strengthened me so much today and so grateful for the power or prayer.