On Sunday, Leah asked me to give her a blessing to help her get over a cold she’s been fighting for a little over a week. I was happy to oblige. When I sealed the anointing, the words the Spirit gave me to say felt like they were meant as much for me as they were for her.
I said that when the two of us met, it was no accident: we met as soon as we were ready -- and God had been preparing us for each other for quite some time. I also said that our upcoming marriage was divinely appointed and that, while it would not always be easy, we would be happy. I choked up at this glimpse into the future, feeling the Spirit confirm the words as I said them.
When I got to the part about her cold, I basically said, “You’ll get over it when you get over it.” The words were much kinder than that, of course, but I was surprised that I wasn’t prompted to bless her in any way regarding her health. But maybe I shouldn’t have been: we receive the blessing we need, not the one we want.
It was a beautiful experience and it only strengthened my love of this wonderful daughter of God.
Showing posts with label priesthood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label priesthood. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
Friday, March 11, 2016
Heck of a Week
I've had a rough week. The sleep study threw me off, first by making it so I had to skip the gym and second by making me endure the anxiety of having a stranger touch my face and head as they attached electrodes. Despite my best efforts, I was unable to make it to the gym the rest of the week. I've mentioned before that exercise helps me keep my anxiety and depression in check and without it, I was drowning. It got so bad that when I got to work yesterday, I felt like I was going to break down and cry at my desk.
I decided that I needed to do something, so I text messaged my home teacher and asked him for a blessing that evening. I've been honest with him about my recent struggles, so he wasn't surprised and he agreed to meet me soon after I got home from work. Throughout the rest of the day, I got a bit better and I was able to be productive (and I never cried).
When I got home, I was nervous about having a visitor since my apartment is not in great shape. I keep my kitchen clean, but I haven't cleaned the rest of it in a while. It's not filthy or anything, but there's clutter that needs to be taken care of. Picking things up would probably only take about twenty minutes, but since I've had trouble leaving the house some days, having a clean apartment hasn't been a priority. Still, I at least cleared off one of my couches in case he wanted to sit down.
I didn't have to wait long before there was a knock at my door. I let in my home teacher, Rob, and a member of the Elder's Quorum presidency, Mike. I thanked them for coming and explained that I suspected that my worsening symptoms might be caused by the nocebo effect (basically, since I found out about the side effects of levetiracetam, my symptoms caused by the medication have worsened). They administered to me and I was told to turn to my family for strength and comfort and to remember that the ward is here to help me. I instantly felt better.
After I got up and shook their hands, we chatted for about ten minutes. They both have struggled with depression and offered some advice on how they cope (I also learned that Mike went to the MTC with an Elder who served in my mission, had a seizure while behind the wheel, and was sentenced to a year in jail. I didn't remember the Elder's name, but the specifics were close enough that asked where the Elder served and, sure enough, it was Cleveland, Ohio. Small world.). As we chatted, we ended up making plans for a game night on Tuesday. Who knew that depression could bring people together?
After Rob and Mike left, I decided to go for a run. The weather was beautiful for this time of year, and I needed to do some exercising. Since the sun was going down, I made sure to wear my reflective visibility vest so drivers would see me. I was nearly done with my run when I got distracted, didn't watch where I was stepping, and tripped and fell. It was weird because it seemed like nearly recovered three separate times before I finally met the pavement. I skinned my right elbow, got some scrapes on my right leg, and I think I the bruised the palm of my right hand and part of my left foot (I won't know for sure for a couple of days). All in all, it could have been much worse. I was even able to run the rest of the way home.
There is one truly annoying thing that happened, though: I fell on my phone. Since I don't have a fancy smart phone, it'll be easy and inexpensive to replace. The good news is that my phone still works; the bad news is that with the screen busted, I can't send or receive texts (I mean, I can, but I won't be able to read them). Even with the injuries and busted phone, I'm happy that I went running.
This week has not been an easy one, but I have reasons to believe that the future will be brighter.
I decided that I needed to do something, so I text messaged my home teacher and asked him for a blessing that evening. I've been honest with him about my recent struggles, so he wasn't surprised and he agreed to meet me soon after I got home from work. Throughout the rest of the day, I got a bit better and I was able to be productive (and I never cried).
When I got home, I was nervous about having a visitor since my apartment is not in great shape. I keep my kitchen clean, but I haven't cleaned the rest of it in a while. It's not filthy or anything, but there's clutter that needs to be taken care of. Picking things up would probably only take about twenty minutes, but since I've had trouble leaving the house some days, having a clean apartment hasn't been a priority. Still, I at least cleared off one of my couches in case he wanted to sit down.
I didn't have to wait long before there was a knock at my door. I let in my home teacher, Rob, and a member of the Elder's Quorum presidency, Mike. I thanked them for coming and explained that I suspected that my worsening symptoms might be caused by the nocebo effect (basically, since I found out about the side effects of levetiracetam, my symptoms caused by the medication have worsened). They administered to me and I was told to turn to my family for strength and comfort and to remember that the ward is here to help me. I instantly felt better.
After I got up and shook their hands, we chatted for about ten minutes. They both have struggled with depression and offered some advice on how they cope (I also learned that Mike went to the MTC with an Elder who served in my mission, had a seizure while behind the wheel, and was sentenced to a year in jail. I didn't remember the Elder's name, but the specifics were close enough that asked where the Elder served and, sure enough, it was Cleveland, Ohio. Small world.). As we chatted, we ended up making plans for a game night on Tuesday. Who knew that depression could bring people together?
After Rob and Mike left, I decided to go for a run. The weather was beautiful for this time of year, and I needed to do some exercising. Since the sun was going down, I made sure to wear my reflective visibility vest so drivers would see me. I was nearly done with my run when I got distracted, didn't watch where I was stepping, and tripped and fell. It was weird because it seemed like nearly recovered three separate times before I finally met the pavement. I skinned my right elbow, got some scrapes on my right leg, and I think I the bruised the palm of my right hand and part of my left foot (I won't know for sure for a couple of days). All in all, it could have been much worse. I was even able to run the rest of the way home.
There is one truly annoying thing that happened, though: I fell on my phone. Since I don't have a fancy smart phone, it'll be easy and inexpensive to replace. The good news is that my phone still works; the bad news is that with the screen busted, I can't send or receive texts (I mean, I can, but I won't be able to read them). Even with the injuries and busted phone, I'm happy that I went running.
This week has not been an easy one, but I have reasons to believe that the future will be brighter.
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Callings and Agency
Since my records have now been in my new ward for all of two weeks, I was extended a calling on Sunday. Before I get to the calling itself, I want to say that I was surprised with how much consulting was done with me about what calling I should have. The Bishop set an appointment with me to ask me what my preference was and where I wanted to serve. I said that I would happily serve wherever I was needed, but that if I could serve with the adults for a bit, it would help me to get to know the people in the ward better. Even so, I said that if I was needed in the Primary, I wouldn't put up a fuss about it.
After the appointment (which was before Sacrament Meeting), I joined choir practice a little late and lent my voice to the Christmas songs on the agenda (practicing a bit early this year). Soon after I sat in an empty pew near the front, the Elder's Quorum President, Ryan, came up and started chatting with me. Ryan has been very good to say hello to me every Sunday, so I didn't think anything of it this time. However, he nonchalantly asked me if I'd be willing to be a Priesthood Instructor. I was surprised at how casually he extended the calling, but I immediately accepted. I was set apart in the third hour that day and I'm scheduled to teach my first lesson in three weeks.
I'm not used to being asked what kind of calling I want, but I'm happy to have the chance to serve in a capacity in which I'm both familiar and comfortable.
After the appointment (which was before Sacrament Meeting), I joined choir practice a little late and lent my voice to the Christmas songs on the agenda (practicing a bit early this year). Soon after I sat in an empty pew near the front, the Elder's Quorum President, Ryan, came up and started chatting with me. Ryan has been very good to say hello to me every Sunday, so I didn't think anything of it this time. However, he nonchalantly asked me if I'd be willing to be a Priesthood Instructor. I was surprised at how casually he extended the calling, but I immediately accepted. I was set apart in the third hour that day and I'm scheduled to teach my first lesson in three weeks.
I'm not used to being asked what kind of calling I want, but I'm happy to have the chance to serve in a capacity in which I'm both familiar and comfortable.
Monday, June 15, 2015
Seize, Again
On Sunday, I had a seizure. This one wasn't has severe as the first on, but it was still pretty bad.
Sunday was Stake Conference. I felt sick, so once it was over, I asked for a blessing from Samuel and Mark. When it was over, I stood up and shook their hands, and then woke up lying on the couch in the foyer.
Earlier in the week, there had been some trouble getting my anti-seizure prescription refilled, so I hadn't taken my meds in two or three days. I wasn't too worried since in the past if I missed a round of medication, I experience aphasia, which isn't fun, but it also isn't dangerous like a seizure. Well, this time I seized.
After I came to, Samuel drove my car home and Mark took me to the pharmacy -- the medication had only come in the day before, so the earliest I could have taken it would have been if I had picked it up that morning. Once I was home, I ate some lunch (which took me 45 minutes just to eat a sandwich and an apple) and undressed so I could lay down.
When I woke up a few hours later, I could barely move my left shoulder. When I last had a seizure, I tore my rotator cuff, so I think I may have done that again. My thighs, neck, right shoulder and knees are sore as well.
Since yesterday, I've gain some mobility back, but I've still got some healing to do before I'm back to normal.
Sunday was Stake Conference. I felt sick, so once it was over, I asked for a blessing from Samuel and Mark. When it was over, I stood up and shook their hands, and then woke up lying on the couch in the foyer.
Earlier in the week, there had been some trouble getting my anti-seizure prescription refilled, so I hadn't taken my meds in two or three days. I wasn't too worried since in the past if I missed a round of medication, I experience aphasia, which isn't fun, but it also isn't dangerous like a seizure. Well, this time I seized.
After I came to, Samuel drove my car home and Mark took me to the pharmacy -- the medication had only come in the day before, so the earliest I could have taken it would have been if I had picked it up that morning. Once I was home, I ate some lunch (which took me 45 minutes just to eat a sandwich and an apple) and undressed so I could lay down.
When I woke up a few hours later, I could barely move my left shoulder. When I last had a seizure, I tore my rotator cuff, so I think I may have done that again. My thighs, neck, right shoulder and knees are sore as well.
Since yesterday, I've gain some mobility back, but I've still got some healing to do before I'm back to normal.
Friday, May 1, 2015
Rain, Rain, You Can Stay
After my knee problems on Monday, you'd think I'd hold off on running again this week, right? No, sir or madam, I did not. My knee made an audible "pop" sound Wednesday evening and nearly all of the pain I'd been feeling disappeared. And since Thursday's weather looked so nice, I decided to go for another run, this time wearing the knee brace.
Just as I was starting my run, I noticed that the sky looked a little darker than I had first noticed. I remembered that I had seen that there was a chance of showers that evening, but only 50%. So I ran. My knee felt fine and once again, it felt great being outside pounding pavement. When I was a little past the halfway mark, it starting lightly sprinkling. My fastest option home was just to finish, so I picked up the pace a little. The rainfall increased to the point that by the time I made it home, the front of my shirt was damp all the way through, though I wasn't actually dripping. I also wasn't in danger of hypothermia since the rain didn't really get heavy until right at the end.
I had barely stepped inside when I got a text message. My friend, Lori, asked if I could come by to administer a priesthood blessing to her husband who was having an asthma attack. I immediately turned around to head out the door, but first, I told Samuel to put on his shoes and come with me. Even though Samuel hadn't been invited, I thought that bringing him would be appropriate and it would give him a chance to participate in a blessing for the first time (he only recently received the Melchizedek Priesthood).
We arrived, me in my wet running clothes, and were warmly welcomed. After a quick explanation from Mark on what was ailing him, we administered the blessing, with Samuel anointing and me sealing. Mark was clearly grateful and gave us each a big bear hug. Not wanting to get in the way of his recovery, we soon left to go home, with Samuel talking excitedly about how he got to be involved.
These stories are connected in more than just their sequence. My original plan had been to run two loops again, like last time, which would have taken me over an hour. I did have my cell phone on me, but with my earbuds in and my legs constantly moving, the chances that I would have either heard or felt my phone (I have it set to both chime and vibrate) are low. If the rain hadn't come, I probably would have lost the opportunity to exercise my priesthood and help a dear friend. I was annoyed at the rain when it first started, but now I'm grateful it came.
Just as I was starting my run, I noticed that the sky looked a little darker than I had first noticed. I remembered that I had seen that there was a chance of showers that evening, but only 50%. So I ran. My knee felt fine and once again, it felt great being outside pounding pavement. When I was a little past the halfway mark, it starting lightly sprinkling. My fastest option home was just to finish, so I picked up the pace a little. The rainfall increased to the point that by the time I made it home, the front of my shirt was damp all the way through, though I wasn't actually dripping. I also wasn't in danger of hypothermia since the rain didn't really get heavy until right at the end.
I had barely stepped inside when I got a text message. My friend, Lori, asked if I could come by to administer a priesthood blessing to her husband who was having an asthma attack. I immediately turned around to head out the door, but first, I told Samuel to put on his shoes and come with me. Even though Samuel hadn't been invited, I thought that bringing him would be appropriate and it would give him a chance to participate in a blessing for the first time (he only recently received the Melchizedek Priesthood).
We arrived, me in my wet running clothes, and were warmly welcomed. After a quick explanation from Mark on what was ailing him, we administered the blessing, with Samuel anointing and me sealing. Mark was clearly grateful and gave us each a big bear hug. Not wanting to get in the way of his recovery, we soon left to go home, with Samuel talking excitedly about how he got to be involved.
These stories are connected in more than just their sequence. My original plan had been to run two loops again, like last time, which would have taken me over an hour. I did have my cell phone on me, but with my earbuds in and my legs constantly moving, the chances that I would have either heard or felt my phone (I have it set to both chime and vibrate) are low. If the rain hadn't come, I probably would have lost the opportunity to exercise my priesthood and help a dear friend. I was annoyed at the rain when it first started, but now I'm grateful it came.
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