miracles and band aid's

I have recently been reminded of the greatness and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We sat in a lesson with a mom while her bouncy 2 year old rummaged through my purse next to me. Suddenly she noticed something on my face, pointed it out so graciously, popped off the couch and ran down the hall. Returning moments later pulling my face down to her and placing an angry birds band aid over the "boo-boo."

What a tender heart, she wanted to make sure I was feeling better and taken care of. Much like our Savior Jesus Christ. He heals us inside and out. I am reminded of a testimony from a missionary that was so powerfully given. "How grateful I am for a Big Brother that can fix anything." Band aid or not He is there with open arms waiting for us to reach out to Him.

One of my favorite stories from the Bible is the story of the woman who knew if she could just touch His clothes that she would be healed. "And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that ^avirtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?" Of all those people around and touching Him, He knew the ONE! "And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy ^afaith hath made thee whole; go in ^bpeace, and be whole of thy plague." (Mark 5:29-34) I find so much power in this simple testimony of such a great woman. It brings warm rays of love into my heart each time I read about her faith.

I know that my Savior lives. He knows just what we need and He will make us whole. What a beautiful gift. It was not free. He had to suffer and bleed in order to know how to heal us. He loves us so much that even when it was tough He couldn't turn away from the will of the Father. He knew that without his sacrifice we wouldn't have anyone to place a "band aid" over our "boo-boo's." Be that one that He says so lovingly to "thy ^afaith hath made thee whole; go in ^bpeace"

pure testimony

Just a few days ago I had the chance to sit at the feet of a servent of the Lord and learn from him. Elder Per G. Malm a General Authority, a leader in the Church, came to visit with our Mission. It was an amazing experience. Feeling the love and the devotion he had for our Father in Heaven was contageous! I felt his excitment and pure testimony flow from every word that he spoke. In all that was said I think the most precious of all was the feeling I felt.

This feeling was the Holy Ghost. How peaceful and amazing that feeling was. I felt as if my Father in Heaven was sitting right beside me. Like He was whispering right into my ear that He loved me, and that He was watching out for me. "And it came to pass when they heard this voice, and beheld that it was not a voice of thunder, neither was it a voice of a great tumultuous noise, but behold, it was a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul—" Helaman 5:30 That is a feeling I wish to never lose, and never forget!

I know that our Father in Heaven loves us, each and everyone! I know that our Savior Jesus Christ suffered pains and afflictions and temptaions of every kind for you and for me. (Alma 7:11) I know with every part of me that Jesus Christ is our Savior. That only through Him can we be saved again. I know that this is His Church! I could go on and on for days about the things that I know! I know them because I asked. I humbled myself and I asked my Father in Heaven if the these things were true and He told me through the Holy Ghost. Through that still small voice.

Our Father in Heaven calls prophets to lead and to guide us. He works the same yesterday, today and forever! If Prophets and Apostles were needed in times of old then they are sure needed now! I am so grateful for the opportunity that I had to hear from one of His dedicated servents! To feel the Spirit that he brought into the room, and to have my testimony strengthened! What a blessing it was!

Lifes ups and downs.

Life is a roller coaster of emotions! Do you agree? I sure do. It seems that one day can be so different from the day before. And sometimes all at once it might even feel like someone has come in with an invisible bat and hit us in the back of the knees. So what shall we do while we are down?  Pray... seek the Lord to help us overcome the trials we are faced with. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf once said, "To strengthen our relationship with God we need some meaningful time alone with Him." As we strengthen this relationship we will have the extra faith and courage that it takes to overcome anything.

Life is not always daisies and roses. I wish! I, like all of you, have my moments of trial and pain. It is not fun. When I take the extra time to get to know my Father in Heaven better it makes these pains seem very small.

Have you ever sat and just looked at the world that is around you? The ocean or the trees, really just pondered them? I have. While I do it makes me feel so little. Like I am just this little spec in the whole grand scheme of things. But as I study from the Book of Mormon and the Bible, as I have meaningful prayers and really seek guidance from our loving Father, I feel so big and so loved. I come to really understand that He knows me... Sister Surtees. He knows me better than anyone else. He knows how I work, He knows how I act and react, how I feel. He knows where I have been, what I have done and where I can be if I follow Him and His son Jesus Christ. Not only does He know these things and many more for me, but for you as well. We can really get lost in the moment and lost in the world when we step back and remember God. Truly and honestly remember Him and what He has given us, then it makes the moments of weakness and pain just seem to vanish. As we do this, shall we heed the council of our dear living Prophet Thomas S. Monson "Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey"

My mother would always tell us as we left the house, "remember who you are, where you came from and where you are going." I am a Daughter of God. I lived with my Father in Heaven before I came to this earth. He has given me trails to help me grow. He has allowed me to make my own choices and to decide for myself whom I will follow. If I am worthy, if I do all I can here, if I endure my trails with faith, I will one day live with Father again. I am very thankful for my roller coaster days, weeks and tough moments. Because in these moments, they humble me. I am brought back to the rememberance of my Father and all that Has has done for me.