A new day

Realizing I have probably said this before I would like to share it again. Everyday I learn something new about myself, see myself grow, and have a new realization about my life. It is so fun to be in tune with the spirit on a level I have never reached before. I always laugh and tell people that I just talk out loud to myself but, seriously when I do this I come up with the best answers to my questions or worries for that day. My most current worries came from me being asked to speak to the youth in our ward about my experiences the last few months and why temples are so important to me.
 Now some may say "What!? Isn't that to soon to be asked to share something like that?" which is a natural first reaction. But, I will share with you why I am 100% ok with this. A few weeks ago I was up north visiting my family and I kept thinking I need to write down thoughts and experiences because I am going to get asked to speak, teach a lesson or something! Now I am not the kind of person that would think this EVER! So I knew immediately this was the Holy Ghost prepping me. The next week I had a meeting with my bishop and like a rookie I told him how I had been feeling and asked him what the deal was! He chuckled and said "I will tell you why you have been feeling that way and I wasn't going to bring this up today but, since you did...We are going to the Manti temple for youth conference this year and I have been thinking about having you come and speak to the young men and young women." Now my "old self" would have been completely terrified of the thought! Me!? Molding the minds of these young people!? HAHA But, shockingly enough I was excited! I love the youth of our ward they are soooo amazing and strong. I literally couldn't wait to share my testimony with them! Now before I mentioned "worries" I was not scared to be in front of them and speak no, I was worried because I didn't know how to organize everything in a way they could gain the most from my experiences, thoughts, and testimony. I had plenty to share it was just getting it out in a way they could relate to and connect with that seemed to be my biggest challenge. 
Sunday came around and off we went! It was such an amazing experience for me and such a healing one! I had about a page and a half of notes in my journal that was kind of my outline and let the Holy Ghost guide me on what to say from there. It was great for me because in prepping for that night I grew even closer to my Heavenly Father as I prayed for his guidance, help and company so I could do my very best for those kids! I truly hope I was able to share something they needed. 
"Your continuing exercise of faith will forge strength of character available to you in times of critical need. Such character is not developed in moments of great challenge or temptation. That is when it is used."
One night I was reading old text messages between Dallin and I from about a year ago. I came upon one that had a link attached to it and the text said "Honey! We need to read this together!" Now I do not recall sending this message as it was so long ago but, I am sure glad I did. Because in doing so I was an answer to my own prayers! That was pretty cool. The link was to a talk titled Living a Life of Peace, Joy and Purpose By Elder Richard G. Scott. This talk has been on of the single best things I have ever read my entire life! It was so meant for me! The quote above is found in this talk and I encourage everyone to read the words of a beloved disciple of God. My greatest tools and strength comes from reading the words of our Latter-Day prophets and leaders. It is quite amazing I can just pull up and conference talk or search lds.org and be given a multitude of talks, video's and testimonies to lead me and guide me. Take advantage of the many avenues the wonderful church has provided for us and learn all you can! 

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2014/02/living-a-life-of-peace-joy-and-purpose?lang=eng&cid=facebook-shared

I am excited for what the future holds for little Levi and I. He is such a blessing and soooo dang cute!