Lessons Learned

It's been just over ten years since I made a decision that would alter my life forever.

What started off as me being kind of rude to the two young men at my doorstep on New Year's Eve in 1998, then hesitating for one more moment as one of the two cocked his head to say something [as I was revving to slam the door in their faces] I waited for what he would say.  I don't remember what was said completely, but I remember how I felt and what I was thinking.  I had no idea then what the impact of the course of the next few months would bring.

I had decided 2 months previously, that I was going to turn over a new leaf and avoid drinking alcohol and other bad habits I learned in college.  It wasn't a lifestyle for me.  The competitive spirit within me was never satisfied with drinking one when the the guy next to me was drinking two.  If he could drink two, I could drink two more above him and faster!  And so the pattern went on as such:  Whatever "he" could do I could do better, and so on and so forth.  I was already making changes in my life and looking for what I called "real people."  I used that phrase often in the next two months.

What started off as mild curiosity, and appreciation for these two young men to want to share information about their beliefs and that on NYE, they had not invited me to a party to get wasted and to "rock on," was a good start to my goal of meeting "real" people.  When they didn't return my call the next day, I remember feeling disappointed that these new people were flaky and it actually made me feel a tinge of sadness.  I remember how excited I was when they returned my second call!

We eventually started meeting on a regular basis.  I learned a lot of interesting information, and for a good bit of time, that's all it was to me:  interesting information.  As I started to read the scriptures they suggested and made efforts to pray and to know if what they were sharing was real and true.  Even before I really knew it what was happening, my life was changing for the better.  I started making better decisions in my life and seeing the world differently.  I saw myself differently.  Even so, I still wasn't sure about the whole "Christian thing."

After nearly two months of research and prayer and lots, and lots of support from the new people I was meeting, I finally had that moment of realization...and made the commitment to join the Church that I know was restored to the earth by a Prophet of God and is Christ's church on the earth today.  I have never regretted the decision to be baptised.  It was a long and difficult road to change my lifestyle and to discover who I am within this world as a member of Christ's church, what and who I stand for, and where I want to be in throughout Eternity.

Now, over ten years later, I am still a strong (at least I work hard to be) and faithful member of Christ's church, and my testimony has not faltered.  I have made mistakes, but the power of the Atonement has been a constant friend to me, and Repentance has shown me how important it is to stay close to our Heavenly Father.  The Holy Ghost as my companion through my life has always reminded me of my Father's love.

I'm so grateful for the knowledge I have gained and continue to gain each day.  I have a strong testimony of the power of prayer, and how we can grow in our faith by being faithful and diligent each day.  Obedience is more than just doing as the Lord would want us to, but it's about being humble and meek.  Humility is not weakness, it is strength entering your body and into your soul.

ej