Another week has already gone by? Crazyy. This last week was really great. In the middle of the week though, I had a rough day where I really felt alone and was just not myself. (sister jaynes has her days too, haha) I had dealt with so many problems and issues that it had all built up and I was just so sad and worn out. It was in this moment where I really just poured out my heart to the Lord and asked Him to strengthen me. To enable me to press forward. My prayer was answered and the healing and enabling power of the Atonement allowed me to get back to the Sister Jaynes I missed. Just like darkness before the sun rises on a new day, I experienced that opposition of being so sad and then the overwhelming happiness at the baptism of Doris! The bitterness was swallowed up truly in Christ and the Spirit that was present at the Baptism.
Seeing Doris in white at her baptism was so neat. She is always so happy and joyful but really after her baptism she was just glowing with the Spirit! My favorite part of the evening was when Doris bore her testimony. There were tears and the Spirit was so strong. After missing that special Gift of the Holy Ghost for so long, Doris was again able to enjoy His constant love, guidance, comfort, peace, and happiness. During her testimony Doris read a poem titled Footprints in the Sand which she really related to...
"One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there were one set of footprints. This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow, or defeat, I could only see one set of footprints. So I said to the Lord, "You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?' The Lord replied, 'The times when you have seen only one set of footprints, is when I carried you.'"
As Doris read this beautiful story, tears streamed from her eyes and the Spirit filled the room. The pain, sadness, despair, mistakes, anguish, and difficulties Doris had experienced had just been washed away through her literally following the Savior into the waters of baptism. She then bore her testimony of the Savior, His endless love, and matchless power. It was a moment of pure joy. I was then overcome with the mercy of our Heavenly Father who allowed me to have another front-row seat to this miracle.
The idea of the Savior carrying us in the hardest times of our lives is not something that this author came up with. It is real. Elder Holland when he came to the MTC for Thanksgiving...said that was one of the things he was most grateful for. In D&C 133:53 it says: "In all their afflictions he was afflicted. And the angel of this presence saved them; and in His Love, and in His pity, He redeemed them, and carried them all the days of old..."
I am grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ. I bear testimony of His Love, Life, and ability to carry us. I am convinced that at the end of our lives, we all truly will see that the Lord had carried us most of our lives. I am grateful for the love of the Lord that let a Perfect Son suffer for imperfect people. I am so grateful I get to see the power and hope that comes from this knowledge in the lives of His children.
I love you all!
XOXOXOXOXO
Schwester Jaynes
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