Christ is my personal Savior. He loves me perfectly and eternally no matter what and I don't even want to think about where I would be without Him. My testimony today to you is that He is real and He truly did suffer for us so that we might have joy in this life and hope for greater things to come.
You know, I've heard it said that a mission is hard because you have so many trials and learning experiences in such a short amount of time. You are constantly being shaped and molded by the Lord and sometimes it's little painful. I have been struggling with some health problems lately and after going to doctors, laying in bed, taking medicine that's not working, and not being any closer to finding out what's wrong, I just couldn't take it anymore. In a moment of frustration and weakness, my pleas to the Lord this week turned into the question "why is this happening to me?"
In a very tender moment yesterday while sitting at the Visitors Center, I was able to take a moment to sit at the foot of the statue of Christ. His arms were outstretched to me and there was love in His face. As I touched the nailprints in His feet, an overwhelming feeling of gratitude came over me and the Atonement felt more real than it ever has. As tears streamed down my face, I knew, without the shadow of a doubt, that He is real and that He cares. He knows all the pains, sufferings, sicknesses, and unhappiness that I have ever felt and He will always be here for me. He offers a peace that cannot be imitated and a love that everyone yearns for. It's so real....and it's within reach. Those feelings and that comfort is available to all who will come unto Him.
His invitation to all of us can be realized through our desire to come to know Him. He asks us to "Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world." (3 Nephi 11:14). I felt that this week, and I know that He personally has suffered for me. It is my hope that in this upcoming week we will all make a greater effort to come unto Him. Pray to know what the Lord would have you do to take a step closer to Him and you will feel His presence with you always. He will walk with you through the good times and the bad. I know that He is there!
I feel so much love and gratitude at this time and I am truly happy that these experiences are mine. I wouldn't trade them for the world. I have learned so much and I am full of thanks and gratitude for that. I love you so much!
Sister Stringer
