lilyinacrystal@blogspot.com

I became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on March 29, 2011. It was one of the happiest days of my life, to be combated only with my daughter and son-in-law getting married and baptized, and receiving my endowment. This happiness has been an integral part of my life since I discovered the church.

Why am I so happy since I discovered the church? Because I discovered the spirit which is a present that was given to me upon my baptism, and because I now see that every person on earth was created by The Lord, The Lord loves everyone, and who am I to argue with The Lord.

This way of thinking has enabled me to look for the good that The Lord created, and to acknowledge that Christ gave us a new commandment to love one another. Since I am bound to love my fellow man, I find that I respond to people in a much different way and that makes them respond differently to me. I have had many friends tell me that I am so full of joy now, and they like to be around me.

Also, I find that instead of arguing and screaming at people when a conflict occurs, I confront the person privately, speak in a way that is respectful to the person, and attempt to resolve the conflict without creating resentment and hurt feelings. I guess what I'm trying to say is that since I joined the church, I have found that I'm surrounded by people whom I love that love me in return.

The gift of the Holy Ghost has been a wondrous things as well. How did I ever live my life without it? How wonderful a thing it is to have The Spirit with me wherever I go. The Spirit calms me, helps me to form the words I need, helps me to know how to help another person, helps me to know the right decisions to make, and helps me to get through difficult times. If someone needs me, then I ask The Spirit how to help them. Who better to know what the person needs and what I can do to help? Do you think for one minute I would have a clue?

I also used to make fun of people and had a snarky, sarcastic side. Well, maybe what I should say is that is that I was snarky and sarcastic. It wasn't merely a side of my personality, but it was me. I am no longer that snarky, sarcastic person. I think about what I might say, and something sarcastic might come to mind, but I quickly recover to say something nice and complimentary instead. Some people might think that's less fun. I find it's much more rewarding though, and I think people respond to me in a different, more positive way because of it.

For instance, I was on an airplane the other day traveling to see my daughter. Now, ordinarily, I would not speak much except to make a nasty comment about how the plane was not taking off because of surrounding thunder storms and starting unrest in the people around me, while taking exasperated breaths and getting impatient. Instead I said something of the nature that they weren't in control of the weather, smiling and comforting those around me in order to create an aura of peace in everyone.

I found that I was seated next to a very nice young man who had just completed his junior year of high school and was on his first trip away from home to visit his cousins. He responded to me as though I was a surrogate mother and shared the details of his football career, his high school, his family, and many other aspects of his life. I felt as though I knew him fairly well by the time we touched ground. I think he was a step away from giving me his contact information so that he could stay in touch, and maybe he would have continued to share feelings about the milestones in his life. It sure is a nice feeling to leave a room after having caused so many others to smile, and that causes me no end of joy.

This is just the beginning of my blog. I intend to write something as often as possible, because I know The Lord has given me an assignment to journal my experiences along the pathway of my life. I hope many people read it and maybe someone out there will take comfort in my words and my experiences. Maybe my words will touch someone enough to help them to find the same joy in their own lives, discover that the person they call "me" will appear to be as wonderful in God's eyes and therefore their own, and the same wonderful feelings about other people, rather than warring and having trouble with others daily. I don't want to overwhelm people and write to much on my first blog, so I'm going to end it here now, but I will return with lots of news about how I found the church, the other enriching ways it has changed my life, and the things that I experience from day to day. Welcome to my online journal.