Learning to trust in God by recognizing His love

Today is two months since my brother has passed away. Everyday is a battle to decide to either be angry about it or to turn to God and trust Him.

Proverbs 3:5-6 reads:
5 ¶^aTrust in the Lord with all thine ^bheart; and lean not unto thine ^cown ^dunderstanding.

 6 In all thy ways ^aacknowledge him, and he shall ^bdirect thy ^cpaths.

Here are some experiences that has helped me trust God.

When I first found out about my brother I was at this families house that they immediately hugged me and helped me feel the Saviors love for me. They took care of me and listen to me as I talked about how it made me feel. I am so grateful for them and their support!

There was another family that had also recently gone through a losing someone very close to them. I was far away from my family but this family made me feel like I was part of theirs. They showed me so much love and gave me so much support. They taught me how I could still find joy and comfort during this time. They are such an amazing family and there is no doubt in my mind that God put us in each other lives during this time. God loves us and is aware of what we need to help us!

Also at this time I had an amazing friend. We were with each other 24/7 during this time. She was really sick and so was I when I found out about my brother. Even though as sick as she was she continued to do as much as she possibly could to support me. She continued to serve me and love me even during her own trials. She taught me the importance of service, of charity. That when we are going through hard times instead of feeling sorry for our self we can serve others and feel so much joy from that.

Another experience is recently I met this guy that his sister died the same way my brother did. Is this a coincidence? No, not at all. I know that we crossed paths because Heavenly Father has His hand's in everything. I know that I am in his life to help him have a closer relationship with his Heavenly Father. I also know that he will help me in many ways. This experience has really taught me to trust in God and to know that I am where I am right now for a reason.

Something I have learned a lot over the last two months is that everyday we are going to be faced with trials and temptations, but that these trials and temptations we face are a blessing in disguise. Heavenly Father trust me to go through these things so I can learn a lot from them. As I go through them and trust God, He will help me and give me the strength and comfort I need to go through them. I know that my faith in Jesus Christ doesn't always make things easier but it does give me the hope that I know good things are to come. Through these and many more experiences I have felt the love of my Heavenly Father. I know He is there and is watching over us.

Finding comfort in losing a loved one

On September 9, 2011 I received a phone call from my mom and dad. A phone call from your parents shouldn't be an unusual thing, but as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Church it is. We only talk to our parents twice a year and email once a week and communicate through letters, reason being so we can stay focused on the Lord's work! So receiving a phone call was very unusual. At first they just asked how I was feeling, since they knew I had been pretty sick from having a bad gall bladder. Then they got to the point of why they called. They told me that my brother, Frank had passed away.

At first I wanted to respond with anger and yell and say that its not possible, but I couldn't because the Spirit of God comforted me to know that things will be ok.

The scripture  John 14:18

"I will not leave you ^acomfortless: I will ^bcome to you." 

has become very real to me since that moment I found out about my brother had passed away.

Don't get me wrong though, every day has been a struggle and I sometimes catch myself thinking about the things my brother will miss out on. In those moments I have to refocus on the faith that I have in my Savior, Jesus Christ and know that through Jesus Christ I can find comfort in losing a loved one.

Some of the ways I find comfort:

*Reading the Book of Mormon and Bible

*Serving others

*Teaching about Jesus Christ

*Obeying God's commandments

Mosiah 15:7-9, 20-23 reads:

7 Yea, even so he shall be led, ^acrucified, and slain, the ^bflesh becoming subject even unto death, the ^cwill of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father.

8 And thus God breaketh the ^abands of death, having gained the ^bvictory over death; giving the Son power to make ^cintercession for the children of men—

9 Having ascended into heaven, having the bowels of mercy; being filled with compassion towards the children of men; standing betwixt them and justice; having broken the bands of death, taken upon ^ahimself their iniquity and their transgressions, having redeemed them, and ^bsatisfied the demands of justice.

 20 But behold, the bands of death shall be broken, and the Son reigneth, and hath power over the dead; therefore, he bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead.

21 And there cometh a resurrection, even a ^afirst resurrection; yea, even a resurrection of those that have been, and who are, and who shall be, even until the resurrection of Christ—for so shall he be called.

22 And now, the resurrection of all the prophets, and all those that have believed in their words, or all those that have kept the commandments of God, shall come forth in the first resurrection; therefore, they are the first resurrection.

23 They are raised to ^adwell with God who has redeemed them; thus they have eternal life through Christ, who has ^bbroken the bands of death.

I know because of The Atonement of Christ that all of us will live again!! I know that I will see my brother again and that I will be able to live with him and my family for eternity. I know that if I listen to the Prophet's words and follow the commandments of God that I will live with my Heavenly Father and my family. I know that my brother will live again and that I will see him again. I am human and so I know that I will at times feel sad and miss my brother, but because I know God's plan, I have hope. I know good things are to come here on earth and when I return back to my Heavenly Father.