A movie and so much more

This evening was to be like any other. I was simply going to see a movie. However, the Spirit turned it into so much more...

Caught your attention?

My life is greatly blessed and I must share my experience because it will be a source of strength to me this week and throughout my life. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My life is richly blessed because of my faith in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I have had a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for some time now, but that does not mean I do not waiver. Not so much in what I believe but in the way in which I live it. It is so easy to get caught up in life and forget to do those things that strengthen that testimony every day. It is easy to distance yourself to the point you feel alone...in those times you know what you need to do to get back but it seems so hard until of course you finally pick up your scriptures, enter the Lords Holy House or simply get on your knees. Sometimes when you do that, your self doubt can make it harder to recognize that the Lord has seen your efforts. Luckily, our Heavenly Father is a patient Father and He waits until you are ready to hear Him...or when you create the peaceful moment when you can hear Him and His Son speak to you...so plainly and with so much love. These moments are what we deem tender mercies.

So what movie started this evening for me... The Adjustment Bureau... I saw the preview for this movie earlier today while I was watching another movie (Unknown...no is the movie title...good movie as well). Any way I went to this movie with a friend and his brother. I did not expect it to have such an impact on me. You will have to see it! For those of you who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints will know what I mean when I say the movie is Satan's plan. For those of you who are not I will explain briefly (contact me and I will tell you in great depth).

Before we came to earth, two plans were presented in the Heavens...Satan wanted us to come to earth without trial, our path would be set, there would be no choices. We would make it through life and return to our Heavenly Father no questions asked and in the end Satan would get the glory, because he got us all back to our Heavenly Father. Our Savior Jesus Christ also came forward, but, his plan was quite different. I like to call his plan the Plan of Happiness. My Saviors plan would have me come to earth with a gift called agency. With agency I would have the ability to go through life making decisions for myself. Because I have the ability to choose it means I might sometimes choose the wrong thing, I might end up on the wrong path back to my Father in Heaven. However, there is another key factor in my Saviors plan...this is the part that makes him my Savior. Jesus Christ offered to atone for my short comings for the mistakes and wrong choices I would make in life. He gave his life. In doing this I am given the opportunity to learn and grow through my trials...to become better prepared to return to my Heavenly Father and to prove my devotion to him in my return.

So this movie was Satan's plan in that "David," played by Matt Damon, had no choice about his destiny. He could choose the little things in life but when it came to who he would be ...that decision was made by the chief and others were there to keep him on that path. Of course one sees the good in this...a plan is in place to help us reach greatness...but what do we learn in life when there is no real trial or choice.

As I walked out of the theater I was glad I have agency and get to make choices. So I hopped in my car full of appreciation for this Plan of Happiness and it only got better. I was listening to one of my favorite CDs... The Missionary Hymn Project by Rob Gardner. The song Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing was playing. I have always loved this song but I think it was the music that inspired me in the past, today it was the words.

....Jesus sought me when a stranger, Wandering from the fold of God...prone to wander...

In this life we are human and at times we may wander from God, as humans we are inclined to wander often. It is not always a great sin that causes us to wander. Sometimes it is just a short absence from doing all those things, I mentioned earlier, that keep us in Gods presence. Wherever we wander, whatever we do, the song tells that we are indebted to our Savior because he interposed and his blood was spilt for us. For each and everyone of us that we might one day return to our Heavenly Father. It is part of the plan.

If you thought this was experience enough for my testimony to grow it only got better. The next song on the CD is I Know That My Redeemer Lives. At this point I am crying and singing this song in celebration that I know He lives!! Then it is finish it off with the song that confirmed my decision to move to Utah... I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go... this song reminded me I have a work to do. "perhaps today there are loving words which Jesus would have me speak. " I have a work to do and it is my choice to follow my Saviors Plan.

I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for allowing me this evening to be reminded that He is aware of me and He has a plan for me. To remind me that I am needed in His great plan and I need to be ready to serve Him everyday.

Haleakala (House of the Sun) Volcano Maui Sunrise