So as many of you know I’ve moved to North Charleston South Carolina, to work for the summer. I won’t bore you with the mundane events of my travels, but I would like to paint some pictures of the natural wonders that I saw, and then some spiritual highlights.
First, let me start out with what I view as some miracles. I wanted to be in South Carolina for a homecoming on April 24th, so I asked my professors when was the last day of class? My English professor replied, “April 26th.” I asked what would happen if I was to miss that day of class, and leave after class on the 21st. The reply of my English professor?
“You have oral presentations for your final paper that day, your final paper is worth 20% of your grade”
Defeated I went home that night and knelt in prayer.”Father, I really want to go to this Homecoming, if there is anyway, and if it is within thy plan please can I go?” That is when I had the idea, as I talked to each of my professors, and teachers, all 4 of them struck deals with me to allow me to turn in alternate work, early work, late work, or online work. By the end, through prayer and much work, a way had been provided, and my prayer answered! I would be leaving Utah right after my last class on the 21st of April! I had 2.5 days to make it 2,000+ miles!
The tops of the Rockies. As I was driving via I-70 through colorado I reached vail and vail summit, which is one of my favorite places in this world. When you reach the pass which is at over 10,000 feet you are at the top of the Rockies, and you can see snow-capped mountain peaks as far as the eye can see.
I spent the night in Denver, and then I took off for Winter Quarters! (North Omaha), When I arrived in Winter Quarters I excitedly went to the visitors center and changed into my Sunday clothes so I could go to the temple, but I had a chance to talk to the awesome missionaries there!
The awesome missionaries at the Mormon Trail Center!
(From left to right) Sisters Young, Hutchison, Strong, Phinhey, Hall, And Elder and Sister Mills.
In the Temple, I had a chance to help in the baptistry and listen as President Okiishi the Temple President. He spoke about Limited and Unlimited use recommends, and he encouraged the youth to work towards an unlimited use recommend and to use it often. I thought that was really cool, I never thought of my recommend as unlimited before.
He then said something profound, “There will be eternal consequences for your actions here tonight, but there will also be temporal consequences.” As he said that I could almost hear words in my mind “You will arrive safely in South Carolina tomorrow.” The comfort that this gave me was huge. I was doing something I had never done before, I had driven cross country, but never this fast. The comfort to know that God has promised me safety was a reassurance that I was aligned with God’s will for me.
I got out of the temple, and headed to Nauvoo, the trip was 5 hours, and it was already past 9pm, with the comfort of protection I headed across Iowa, as I drove thick fog rose around me. But it did not overcome the road, and then I saw it…The fields were covered in thick fog, with the trees sticking out of them, and the full moon above shining down on the fog, it made it appear as if the moonbeams were caught in the fog. It looked like fields of moonbeams! It was breathtaking, but sadly it was a soft silver light that my camera could not capture, the moonbeam fields of the Iowa Prarie are one of the most beautiful things I have ever witnessed before. I arrived safely in Nauvoo at 2:30am.
And then the last long leg of my trip was before me, I awoke at 6:30 am, showered, ate, and visited some of Old Nauvoo before I left. I drove the final 12.5 hours into South Carolina, driving through the smokey mountains (which were stunning, but I was not able to take any pictures, as I was driving). Finally arrive safely in Simpsonville SC for Homecoming I was racing across the nation to make it to. And it was the apex of my trip.
The Sacrament meeting was one of the best I’ve ever been to, The Mission President and his wife were visiting and they were asked to speak first, all of the talks were spot on, and the Spirit was extremely powerful, the crux of the talks were:
“be of good cheer, and do not fear” (D&C 68:6) the Lord is with us, have the courage to ask questions, and the faith to listen to the answers.
As the world grows dark more will seek the light. (D&C 100:15 was the closing verse)
Instead of saying, “I can’t I am a Mormon” say “I won’t”.
Missions are hard, but that which is hard is normally Good (And that which is good is always hard), and a plea to do our missionary duties.
The final message was about becoming more like a child, and being willing to believe like a child.
The Spirit was just poured out during the talks, and after sacrament meeting members kept coming up to me and giving me hugs saying it was good to see me, and that they missed me. The recurring thought was “This is how ‘home’ should feel.” I am so happy to be back in the South, and with friends. And I am so thankful for the miracles, tender mercies, and the moonbeams this week! I can’t wait to see what the next few months living in the south will bring!
PS After church I had this experience! I am really excited now!