Small Steps - Big Canyons

[HoosierGuy]

Ugh! I guess I should be thankful for all the challenges in my

life.

So, I'm trying to be a better person. I'm trying to make my Lord

and Savior happy. So, last week I go back to the university I went

to back in the 1990's. I was a senior and left, I did not graduate.

I have developed a lot of hate and animosity towards the University

because I did not graduate.

Anyway, last week I drove into the parking lot, got out, walked to

some building, and got my transcripts. I could not have done it without

Heavenly Father watching and Jesus with me and the Holy Ghost in me.

I relied on them totally. I simply could not have done it without them.

I did not want to do it for myself really. I wanted to do it to please

my Master.

So today, I find the department and try to talk to someone. I want to

know how close I am to graduating and what classes I need to take.

I find the secretary and she acts like she does not really know who I'm suppose to talk to. Then I find some other guy, a Professor I think, and he does not want to tell me much because he's afraid of giving me the wrong information. He did say I was kind of in Double Jeopardy! He said -

now you have to have a foreign language! And now there is math and all other stuff. He said I was probably close but would have to take some more classes. He told me to talk some woman. She was not there today.

Anyway, it just means more steps for me. I know my Lord and Savior

is happy. I went down there and tried to find how close I was to graduating. I guess I will go back and talk to that lady tomorrow.

Small step after small step. Meeting the missionaries was a small step

but it seemed like I was jumping across the Grand Canyon. Going to services for the first time felt the same. And now trying to find out where

I stand at this school - small steps over a big canyon.

Yesterday, for the first time, I printed out and taped to the inside of my Quad something about Charity from the Book of Moroni.

It included this:

A person with charity... Accepts all challenges from God.

Believes and hopes in God.

Endures all of Gods trials.

Ok, I'm thankful for this challenge. I know it is a test. It's to make

me stronger and better. I want to choose the right over the wrong.

I'm thankful for the challenge. I love Heavenly Father. I love our Lord

and Advocate. I'm grateful for the Holy Ghost. I'm thankful for the Prophets. I'm thankful I'm not alone. I don't want to do anything alone

anymore. I can't do anything alone.

[skalenfehl]

We're here to back you up, brother. Stay strong, one step at a time and you will succeed. Keep us in the loop, please! :)

[Hemidakota]

Trials are there for our benefit, our experience. and learning. If not, we are not chosen to be HIS.

Anything, as Skalenfehl said, we can do, we are here for you.

[HoosierGuy]

And I was given the Aaronic Priesthood on Sunday. And now I'm

whining a little bit. lol It's not good of me to do that. I know,

these trials, small and large, are for me to learn and grow.

[Hemidakota]

What about?

[MaidservantX]

Hoosier,

I don't know if you'll be able to get into school this quickly (I hope!), but I am going to be re-starting university this fall also! Maybe we can update each other from time to time. You can do it, my friend!

[tree]

Heavenly Father never said it will be easy, just worth it, trust me brother, when you get to the point of giving up , the answers just around the corner, so hang in there, DO NOT QUIT!!! the bigger the trial the better the out come, you will be scarred up a little on the out side , but on the inside you will be a bigger , brighter,stronger and wiser and more knowledgeable spirit , to be able to please Heavenly Father even more and to live a more prosperous and joyful life. don't let ANGER, FEAR, or PROCRASTINATION cheat you out of your blessing of growth. no matter how excruciating it may seem, God said he would never put more on us than he knew we could bare and for some reason if you feel you cant bare some thing , call on Heavenly Father to help make a way out, but don't give up and don't leave Heavenly Father in no case or you will really be in for trouble. sincerely your sis in Christ, tree

[Flyonthewall]

Conan the Barbarian once said "That which doesn't kill us, only makes us stronger".

Just remember that the Lord will never take a trial away from you, but will strengthen you so you can handle it. He can make one's burdens light.

[WANDERER]

This might be a better question to get answered in writing. There are probably a few different options you can look at, not just one answer on how to go about it. Best wishes with it all.

[HoosierGuy]

Thank you all for the kind words and truth! :)

[HoosierGuy]

Ok, I just got back from the university. Now get this:

I really didn't feel like going down there today. It was almost

2pm and I just didn't feel like doing this today. But, I felt the

spirit in me, kind of telling me to stop wasting time - it's a nice

sunny day, get myself down there and try to do something positive.

So, since I was also kind of bored too, I said - ok, I'm going down

there. I pull into the parking lot - say a quick prayer, asking Father

to give me the strength to do this.

I go to the building, go up three floors, and find the office and the woman is not there. I'm walking to the elevator and the guy I talked

with two days ago comes walking up and says "You just missed her! She left five minutes ago!"

Then, he says he brought up my situation in a board meeting, he told

them in frank language that it's kind of not fair for me to have to take

all the new courses when I was so close to graduating in the past.

From the sound of it, it sounds like I may not have to take all those new

classes. He told me to talk with the one woman because she is an expert

at getting around things.

I'm so glad I followed the Spirit today. I was just about to walk into the

elevator and leave when that guy walked up.

It's still early. I may or may not have to take more classes. But I'm so glad I went today.

And, I feel bad and ashamed. When I first went two days ago, I thought

that guy might have been giving me the rush and not wanting to help me.

Now I find that he brought up my situation in a board meeting and used frank language with the other members. Wow. I'm so sorry I judged him

the way I did.

This was definitely a blessing from my Heavenly Father. I hope I have made him and my Lord happy by going down there today. I think I did.

[HoosierGuy]

Oh yeah, I almost forgot - I finished 3rd Nephi and Mathew last night!

[WANDERER]

I was a bit worried about that Hoosier as I think there's a time clause on courses here and not sure how it would apply to your situation or in other places. That's great news that they're going in 'to bat' for you : ) Yay~!

[HoosierGuy]

Here's another canyon for me to jump! lol...

There is a church "social" this Friday. I was not planning on

going. I'm not married and don’t have a girlfriend or anything.

I kind of would feel bad about going. But, the missionaries called

me tonight and reminded me to come to the Social. I said I was

not planning on going. They said "You should come!" I said - uh, I'm

not sure, I kind of would feel bad about going since I’m not married.

They said - we aren't married either and we are going! And, they said

it would give me a good chance to get to know the ward better. So,

I said - Uh, sure, I'll go!

I have never been to a "social" in my life. lol

[Alaskagain]

Small steps, big canyons.

HoosierGuy, sometimes you just have to close your eyes and jump.

[WANDERER]

Maybe it will be just like a bbq...? I have no idea what a 'social' is either.

[lilered]

Conan the Barbarian once said "That which doesn't kill us, only makes us stronger".

Just remember that the Lord will never take a trial away from you, but will strengthen you so you can handle it. He can make one's burdens light.

Hmm! Conan the Barbarian - What dispensation was he Prophet? :)