Reflecting on trials my family and I were facing this time a year ago.

I’ve been reflecting lately about what was going on in my life this time a year ago.  There was excitement and trials my family and I were facing. During this time a year ago we announced to our families that we were pregnant!! Everyone was so happy and excited! April was the month that I started to get really sick in my pregnancy. Every time I woke up in the night to go to the bathroom it would make me nauseous and I would start throwing up. Morning would come and the same thing would happen. I had all morning classes at that time and boy was that tough. Trying to get ready for school and then going to class was rough being that sick. At first, I was only sick in the night and in the mornings but then it became an all day everyday thing and that was exhausting to say the least. I remember Corey giving me a priesthood blessing to be able to get through the days and be well enough to finish the last few weeks of school. After that I still had morning sickness but I was at least able to make it through my classes without throwing up. The power of the priesthood is truly amazing.

The second thing that was happening during this time was, my family and I were re living a trial that we had worked so hard to put behind us. Sometimes it is too easy to judge other people. And I am definitely guilty of that. This experience taught me to not judge too quickly and give people the benefit of the doubt, and to never assume things. That is when rumors start. It was definitely difficult having all of our personal issues known. But this was when my family and I became even closer. Almost every night during this difficult time my family and I would play scrabble together to get our minds off of everything. We had lots of conversations together and we prayed together, a lot. Prayer brought us so much peace and really helped us grow as a family. My parents are so strong and supportive of each other. I was amazed by their strength. I am so grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance. The gospel brings us so much hope and happiness to our lives and I feel so blessed to know it’s truthfulness.

The third trial that was going on was my sweet grandpa (My Mom’s Dad) had just been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The doctor only gave him 3 months to live. Cancer is so mean and it was heart breaking to watch my grandpa get so sick so quick. My grandpa lived in Bountiful and my Mom was driving down at least four times a week to spend time with him and help him. It was really hard for my Grandpa to accept what was happening to him at first. He would talk about his regrets in life but then he would talk about how happy he was to be a member of the LDS church and to know that this isn’t it, and that when he returned home he would be in a better place. My grandpa only lasted a couple of months but the times that I got to spend with him his last couple of months were such a testimony builder to me. My grandpa was so supportive of us 3 grandchildren. We were his life. He drove up to Logan often to support us in all of our extra activities. It was so hard to see someone you love suffer, but by the end, I was at peace with it. I felt (and still feel) so strongly that I will be able to hug and see my Grandpa again. I feel his spirit with me constantly and I am forever grateful for the impact he had on my life and my family’s.

It’s amazing how much more your testimony can grow through trials. Looking back on a year ago, it was tough but through prayer and faith, my family and I have grown so much. I am so grateful for trials. It has helped mature me and has helped my testimony of the gospel grow. I am so grateful for the church in my life and I truly could not imagine my life without it.