The Power of the Priesthood

Wow, what an enlightening week this has been. I am so incredibly thankful for the power of the priesthood and for my dad. I've always heard that when something good is about to happen Satan will do anything in his power to stop it from happening. Well, since I've made the decision to serve a mission I've felt the devil working hard on me. I wrote in my last post about the stresses I've been facing, but this last weekend I didn't know what else to do, so I decided to ask my dad for a blessing. I had been feeling like I should ask for it for a couple of weeks, but kept ignoring the prompting and put it off. I sure wish I hadn't ignored it though because I am amazed at how much of a difference it's made for me to be able to cope with the things in my life right now. To be quite honest I don't really remember what was said in the blessing itself, but I do remember the relief that I felt following it. I also remember talking with my parents afterwards, and my dad reminded me of one of my favorite scriptures... "Men are that they might have joy." He told me to remember that and to do what I needed to do to have joy again in my life. Throughout this week I've had so many reasons that I could have and should have been stressed, but somehow I've been able to brush them off and not let them bother me. One other thing that really has helped me is the prayers of my family and the knowledge that they are praying for me. The night that I received the blessing from my dad, my mom told me that she prayed for me every morning and night that I'd be able to withstand the temptations of the devil during this most crucial time before I go on my mission. She knew that Satan would be working extra hard on me. Then, right after I talked with my mom and dad, I went into the kitchen where my grandma was and she told me the same thing. It shocked me because I don't think she even knew that I was struggling and that I had just gotten a blessing. I've learned that for as hard as Satan works on me, the more I will be given help and support from my Heavenly Father. It doesn't mean that the situations will change or that everything is all of a sudden easy, but I am given extra help to make it through. All I have to do is look for it.