A Change In Us All

I just feel like sharing some thoughts about what I've been thinking about today. It has been such a good day for Britt, he has done so well, today was just "smooth sailin" really. He's tough as nails.

Throughout the past 2 weeks, I have received more emails, more Facebook messages, more texts, more phone calls, more letters, than I have in my entire life combined. It has been incredible, and so special to me to read these messages and words, to learn from them, to grow from them, to appreciate them, and to draw strength and comfort from them.

I KNOW, that there is such a tremendous purpose, greater than any of us realize, greater than any of us could imagine, behind all that has happened, and my brothers fight. You cant say, at least to some extent, that you have followed his journey, and have not been changed. for the better. You cant say that my brothers circumstances have not made you a better person...even if its just a littke bit! Have not brought you closer to your family. Have not helped you realize the important things in life. Have not strengthened your testimony and relationship with God. Have not made you so thankful for what you have. Have not helped you view life in a different way, realizing how truly fragile it is. Have not helped you to see and understand the affect a community can have when someone needs help, or support. You can't say, that you have followed his journey, that you  have loved him, that you have prayed for him...and have not been changed. For the better.

Each day, I hear hundreds of different accounts and stories from different people. Testifying to me that, my brother has affected them, and changed their hearts. That they are now a better person, a stronger person, a more spiritual person, a sensitive person, a more loving person...when they used to not be so much.

Who knew such a small, quiet boy... could have such a tremendous impact.

I mean, I look at myself. Never in my life have I had this strong of a testimony. Never have i felt so close to my Father in Heaven and savior Jesus Christ. Never in my life have i felt this much strength and love and gratitude. Never in  my life have I felt so compassionate and humbled. Never in my life have I felt so close to my family.

Trials. Trials suck. Trials are hard. They rip at your heart, they tear at your emotions, they have the potential to break down your faith and spirit. To break down everything that you are, everything that you love and know. No one wants them. No one asks for them. No one wants to endure them. No one deserves them. No trial is easy. But we all must face them. Every day. Some bigger than others. But trails nonetheless. It is all a part of the plan. A test. A small step towards becoming perfect, to returning back to our Father. That's what we are here to do....we are here to be tried.

There are really only two ways to face trials. You can either blame God, and blame everyone around you. Turn your back on your faith, your loved ones, your hope. Try to deal with it yourself, the best you can, and completely deteriorate little by little, because it is so unbearable. Let hate and anger override love and happiness. Never returning to what you once knew, and who you once were. OR...you can turn to God, when you are broken, letting him heal you. When your faith is wavering, letting him strengthen you. When you realize you cannot endure this alone, letting him hold you and carry you. When you turn to him in prayer, asking, pleading, knowing he hears you. When you understand the teachings and doctrines of the gospel, knowing he is a just God, a mighty God, our God. When you give him your trust, knowing his way is the perfect way. When you give him your heart, knowing he loves you. He loves you with a love so strong, so deep, so powerful, so perfect, so whole, that once you feel it, you will never want to leave it.

Which one would you choose?

It's simple really.

D&C 121:7-9 My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; 8 And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes. 9 Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands.

So I need to thank my sweet brother. Thank you Britton for changing us. For changing our hearts. For changing our lives. For changing our testimonies. All for the better. I am a better person because of you, and the fight I see you win each day. For the strength you show, for the sweet spirit you are, for the bright light you shine round about you. Keep it up little brother, you are truly an incredible boy, making an incredible impact. We won't stop loving you. We wont stop praying for you. We won't stop believing in you. Ever.