My testimony.

At the beginning of the year, I decided that near the beginning of each of the next twelve months I would record my testimony in my journal. The idea is that at the end of the year, I'll be able to read those twelve journal entries and see how my testimony has developed throughout 2013. Obviously, right now I'm on month two, and I wrote the entry for February last Sunday. What's interesting to me is that my testimony has already noticeably grown in just the past seven days.

My "February Testimony" talks about the power of Heavenly Father to change lives. As a convert who struggled with living the commandments for a while after my baptism, that's something that has weighed heavily on my mind, and as I've finally begun to recognize the fruition of my efforts in the past few months, my testimony of that principle has blossomed. I put in the blood, sweat, and tears to get to where I am today, but all of that would have been for naught without my loving Heavenly Father's guidance. Just thinking about where I was spiritually four years ago, two years ago, eighteen months ago, and even six months ago compared to today allows me to know that God exists and that He can do incredible things with our lives when we become humble enough to allow Him to have control.

In the past week, I've learned that Heavenly Father can change lives in another way as well. I had an experience this week that I'm reluctant to talk about in detail because of how sacred it is to me, but it cemented my testimony of my Heavenly Father's love for me. Once again, I gathered the courage to ask for His help. Just as in the first example, I was driven to do so out of desperation -- I was backed into a corner and had nowhere else to turn. This time, the struggle wasn't with sin, but I was still trying to deal with it on my own, refusing to admit that I needed Him. When I finally humbled myself enough to request Heavenly Father's help, I received a blessing that far surpassed what I expected, asked for, or even dared to hope. As He had before, God accepted my humble plea for help and turned it into something so miraculous that I still haven't fully comprehended its scope.

I know that God exists, I know that He loves me, and I know that He answers prayers. I prayed for help, and He changed my life. He doesn't ask for much, and the blessings He gives in return are great.

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.