Not According to Plan

I don't know about you, but I get frustrated when things don't go according to plan, or when plans seem to be crashing, and you have to start potentially making new plans. I won't go into detail, but that's what happened this week--it's not all too likely that I will be able to serve a full-time mission at this point, but I'm not discounting it entirely until I've reviewed all of my options. At any rate, if I still am able to go, it'll be another six months before I can do so.
Yesterday--Friday--my ward* had a temple trip scheduled, and I went, of course...I love the temple, so why not? It was so peaceful there, and as I was reading during our visit there, I was reassured that, whatever happens, it will be according to God's plan.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9)
No matter what we plan for, the Lord's plans will always be better, and they will always prevail if we follow Him. We just have to learn to say, "Lord, thy righteous will be done" (Ether 12:29) and have faith that there's a reason for whatever it is we face.
Right now, the Lord needs me where I am at--at least for another six months--and then who knows where he'll need me? All I know is that He will let me know where I need to be and when I need to be there. And that's okay with me, because I know His plans are better than mine.
P.S. Here's some pictures from yesterday at the temple.

*Ward = congregation

My Testimony

[No fluff or needles, just my testimony, straightforward and simple. I am only going to testify simply of what I know. If you believe as I do, great; if not, I respect that, too. Everyone has their agency. Any unfamiliar or less-familiar terms, feel free to look up here or here. For more of what I personally believe and how I live out my faith, click here.]

God is our loving Heavenly Father. He lives and loves us dearly. We are His children, created in His image. Jesus Christ, His Son, is our Savior, Redeemer, and Elder Brother. He atoned for us so that we can have the opportunity to spend eternity in God's presence. He lives, too! The Holy Ghost guides, comforts, protects, and teaches us. He testifies of truth to us as we read and study the scriptures. Throughout my life He has testified of truth to me again and again.
The Bible is the word of God. It is a witness of Jesus Christ in the Middle East. The Book of Mormon is also the word of God, a witness of Jesus Christ in the Americas. The two complement each other beautifully and perfectly. From reading these we can gain a better understanding of who we are as children of our Heavenly Father, who God is, and the purpose of life.
The gift of prophecy is alive and well, as it was in ancient times with prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Malachi. There are prophets on the earth today, and it was through the young prophet Joseph Smith in the 1800s that Christ's Church--the doctrine that He taught and the church that He established during His earthly ministry--has been fully restored to the earth. We have prophets on the earth today, and I am so grateful for the counsel that they give us.
Prayer works, and miracles happen. I have witnessed this many times. Prayer is a two-way conversation; we can receive direct answers (revelation) from God through this.
The Priesthood is real. I've witnessed its power in my own life. I have so much respect for men who honor their Priesthood.
Most importantly--I already mentioned it, but I will say it again--I believe in Christ. I love my Savior, and I know that He lives! No hymn could better express my testimony of the Savior than this one:
I believe in Christ; he is my King!

With all my heart to him I'll sing;

I'll raise my voice in praise and joy,

In grand amens my tongue employ.

I believe in Christ; he is God's Son.

On earth to dwell his soul did come.

He healed the sick; the dead he raised.

Good works were his; his name be praised.

I believe in Christ; oh blessed name!

As Mary's Son he came to reign

'Mid mortal men, his earthly kin,

To save them from the woes of sin.

I believe in Christ, who marked the path,

Who did gain all his Father hath,

Who said to men: "Come, follow me,

That ye, my friends, with God may be."

I believe in Christ--my Lord, my God!

My feet he plants on gospel sod.

I'll worship him with all my might;

He is the source of truth and light.

I believe in Christ; he ransoms me.

From Satan's grasp he sets me free,

And I shall live with joy and love

In his eternal courts above.

I believe in Christ; he stands supreme!

From him I'll gain my fondest dream;

And while I strive through grief and pain,

His voice is heard: "Ye shall obtain."

I believe in Christ; so come what may,

With him I'll stand in that great day

When on this earth he comes again

To rule among the sons of men.

 

I say these things in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.