Fallen And Far From Home

[elizab.rc]

This is my journey, my story, my path. I believe that if anywhere were a safe place to confide, this would be it.

 

In 2008, I made a brave decision to leave a mentally and emotionally abusive marriage. My dad bought me a train ticket and I had a close friend of mine drive me to stay in a bus stop for the night until the next morning when my train would leave. He wound up refusing to leave me there and bought me a hotel room and stayed in one adjacent to mine.

Three days later, I was in a new place. Somewhere cold and somewhere I had never dreamt of living. My dad took me on as his assistant and I took phone calls for all of his real estate clients. He paid me, but letting me live there was honestly payment enough. Although, having a few extra bucks made me feel somewhat independent.

I was 19, young and naïve and ready to start fresh. I'm not going to lie. I was depressed and wanted no social life for nearly 6 months. Then, one day while my dad and his family were out and about, there was a knock on the door. An annoying knock that forced me out of bed and when I opened the door I was a mess. And the young gentlemen that gazed upon me could tell I was in need of saving. I had been crying, I hadn't showered in days and honestly, wanted nothing to do with them. But, the southern hospitality in me let them in and offered them a glass of lemonade.

My dad wound up giving me a car and that Sunday I was at a new church with new people and I was way under dressed. Despite the way I looked, everyone welcomed me in. The missionaries I met were there and they introduced me to Bishop Pippo and the two gentlemen that would guide me spiritually and unknowingly change my life.

After my baptism and Confirmation, I enlisted into the united states military and in 2013 I married my high school sweetheart and best friend of almost 10 years. I have known him since 2005. His brother and I have been friends since 2002.

So, while this is my path to God, I guess it is only fair to admit that from June 1, 2011 until now I was distant from the church. I got into another bad relationship for a few months and let myself down the wrong path for a while. Now, with my life finally going well, I want to continue moving in a positive direction. Because that is the word I use to describe my life now, positive. And I honestly feel that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the place I need to be. The place I always needed to be. Everyone is always asking for a sign, a knock on the door and I literally got mine. Granted, yes I followed, I also took a wrong exit and headed down the same road that I needed to escape from.

 

My dear and beloved Father in Heaven,

I ask that you guide me in a positive direction of your seeing.

I ask that all I do and all I am reflects you.

I ask that the burdens of my past be lifted.

I thank you for all the blessings in my life.

I am so unbelievably grateful for everything you are. Everything you have ever been.

My dear and beloved Father in Heaven,

your forgiveness has washed over me lord and I truly believe that spirit within me will guide me towards you.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

[rpn]

Your Heavenly Parents and Savior know you in each moment.  Trust in Them and They will direct your path.   Welcome.

[Hikinggal]

Beautiful story of your conversion.  Thank you for sharing it.  Welcome to this board - I am new here also and through all of the posts I am learning so much more than I have ever learned in a gospels class.  

[Storm Rider]

_{Welcome to the Board, Elizab,}

 

_{In a very real sense we are all imperfect sinners that fail our Father in Heaven every day that we live to one degree or another.  The point is to be in a process of relying on the Holy Spirit, repenting of our sins, and striving to emulate the example of the Savior every day that we live.  It does not matter how many times we fall down; it matters that we get up and keep trying to take one more step.} 

 

_{As you reflect back on the times when you were in Sacrament meeting, remember the Sacrament prayer - it was if we were WILLING to take upon us the name of Christ.  Not that we were perfect or had our act together, but that we were willing to renew our covenant to follow the Savior again, this week, every week.} 

 

_{This is a place where you will find people just like you - in both strength and weakness.}

 

_{Glad that you are here and you have begun again to hold to the iron rod.}

[Kenngo1969]

elizab.rc:

 

I'm glad that you were able to extricate yourself (with His help, and with the help of family) from the exceedingly undesirable situation in which you found yourself.  Don't forget the declaration of the man who asked the Savior to cast (a) demon(s) out of his son: "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."  At one time or another, that describes the state of most people's faith: we repent, we sin, we make mistakes, we fall, we learn, we pick ourselves up (again, with His help) and dust ourselves off and try again.

 

And even if we have no major problems and our lives are going swimmingly (how would it be?! ) we are still apt to feel out of our element here in mortality because we are not essentially mortal beings sent here to have occasional spiritual experiences; we are essentially spiritual beings sent here to have a mortal experience.  It's only natural that we would long for Home.

 

Welcome; I wish you well.

Edited July 28, 2015 by Kenngo1969

[elizab.rc]

Much thanks to all of you. I am looking forward to the journey ahead of me and my husband.

[sunstoned]

Welcome Elizab.  Keep moving forward and remember that you are not alone.

[Jeanne]

Thank you for sharing.  I wish for you and everyone here on this board peace and happiness. 

[Garden Girl]

Thank you for sharing.  I wish for you and everyone here on this board peace and happiness. 

 

 

Yes, elizab... thank you for sharing...  And thank you, Jeanne, for your good wishes...

 

elizab:  Allow me to say that I think you are exactly where our Heavenly Father wants you... and as others have said, it's important for you to keep moving forward in a positive direction.  Study, read, ponder, pray... Learn, and live the gospel... when we follow the Lord, and truly have faith... blessings will come to us like the inner peace and happiness Jeanne refers to... it's very real when we are in tune with the Spirit... 

 

All good wishes... GG

[Broker]

When I make a mistake, big or small, I've found one of the best rules I can follow is to never look back - just move forward.

[Broker]

Beautiful story of your conversion.  Thank you for sharing it.  Welcome to this board - I am new here also and through all of the posts I am learning so much more than I have ever learned in a gospels class.  

I understand what  you are saying, but it's more important to attend Sunday School than to read this board.

Many members, including myself, often find Sunday School to be less than fulfilling, but that's where you're supposed to be and that's where you may find unexpected answers.

[Garden Girl]

I understand what  you are saying, but it's more important to attend Sunday School than to read this board.

Many members, including myself, often find Sunday School to be less than fulfilling, but that's where you're supposed to be and that's where you may find unexpected answers.

 

And Sunday Sacrament meeting is where we take the sacrament... the very purpose of our Sunday worship... partaking of the emblems in remembrance of the body and blood of the Savior... renewing those covenants.  We agree to take upon ourselves the name of Christ, and always remember him and keep his commandments... in return when we do this we will have his Spirit to be with us.... 

 

GG

[Guest]

To the OP: You mentioned in you thread title "Far from Home"...when it comes to returning to God and Home, one does not need travel the same distance back...that is the beauty of repentance and forgiveness. Just sayin...

[Bee Sweet]

" When it comes to returning to God and home, one does not need travel the same distance back, that is the beauty of repentance and forgiveness."

 

 I love this, thanks Pa Pa!