Alan's Testimony:
This year blows all other recent years out of the “life lesson” water! I have never felt so close to my Savior Jesus Christ, my eternal bride and my Heavenly Father. I had a day of reckoning you might say. Which turned into several months of pondering, prayer, daily intense scripture study and a return to my original identity as a child of God. I can’t remember having so much clarity about things i see, think about and learn about on a daily basis. I know that Heavenly Father is a heavenly being. He is OUR Father and OUR God. I know that Christ not only set a perfect example for us but was the only one in this existence who was able to pay the price for our sins. Christ literally suffered every pain, sickness, any feeling that we will ever have and any hardship that we will ever have to endure. It was all done out of love for Heavenly Father and for us. I know that families are eternal in nature and I am so very very grateful to be a part of one with My wife Brittney and 5 (so far) beautiful children. I have faced a lot of demons this year and i can say with confidence that all who know me, in this life and beyond will witness a man who is in it for eternity. I truly know that “this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God...”. Today and the rest of my days on earth is the time for me to perform my labor. To build up God’s kingdom on earth and establish Zion. I’ve changed with how i view the day to day things. It truly doesn’t matter how much I get done in a day as long as myself and my family are whole heartedly cared for. To put it plainly, I’ve learned to love pajamas and can stay in them for an entire morning if need be. I’ve learned that just because the kids don’t experience a new and exhilarating adventure that day, doesn’t mean i failed. I’ve learned that discipline is necessary for both myself and our children (who we owe it to) if they want to grow up as dedicated persons who are contributing to society and life. I’ve learned that dedication is a tough thing for me that I’ve really never thought about. Waffling around on important things seemed natural and even enjoyable! I am truly amazed at how much being Dedicated can lead to progress and greater self esteem! Also, the opposite is completely true for NOT being dedicated. It’s very obvious that deviating from, negative movement or sitting still on the straight and narrow path is a dangerous game and can be damaging to spiritual progression. The only way back to our Heavenly Father is through positive movement on the path. Brittney introduced daily scripture study to our home this year and it has been the spiritual strength that we ALL have needed on a daily basis. It has magnified our home as a Heaven on Earth and has truly fortified it against any opposing influences of the world. I am grateful for all of my blessings. I have been given more than i can remember and more than i feel I deserve. What a beautiful world we have! Both the telestial one in which we now live and infinitely more beautiful is the eternal world prepared for us, our Heavenly Home. May we all make it back home to our Heavenly Father and forever partake in His rest. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen
Brittney's Testimony:
This year has been a year of growth for me.
We grew in number as we welcomed another baby into our
family. Truly a miracle. Benjamin Keith Blake was heaven sent to our family.
Welcoming an infant into our life has never gotten old to me. The spirit that
they bring into our home and into our family is indescribable. I know that
Benjamin came from our Father in Heaven. I know that he is perfect, humble, and
meek. And that he was sent to earth for me and Alan to take care of. To nurture
him. To love him. And to teach him principles to help him make it back to our
Father in Heaven.
I grew in my love for the scriptures. I know that they
are true. I know that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Christ and
that it perfectly applies to us. I know that it is important to read them
daily. There truly is power in reading the scriptures. I feel like I can not
only take on my day but be able to handle any situation that arises during my
day when We have started our day out with scriptures. They are true. They share
light. They have the ability to change hearts. And miracles and blessings do
come from immersing yourself within them daily.
My appreciation for temples and eternal families grew
this year. The Temple truly is Heaven here on this Earth. It is the Lords house
and the work that is done in the Temple is essential for our salvation. Being
able to be part of an eternal family is a blessing. The covenants made within
the walls of the temple are sacred and so special to me. I know that they are
essential for us to return and live with our Heavenly Father again. Go to the
Temple often. You will find peace within the walls.
My love for and knowledge of the Atonement and of my
Savior grew this year. Jesus is the Christ and I know with surety that He is
our redeemer and our Savior. The Atonement is real. It is meant for all of us.
We need to ask and comfort will come. I have felt the Saviors healing hand in
my life this year as he healed my broken heart. The atonement was literally
able to make me whole again.
My relationship with my Heavenly Father grew this year.
There were different trials and hardships that I experienced this year that
allowed my faith to grow. During these times it would have been easy to take
the road easily traveled and give up, Be angry, have a broken heart, Be
vengeful, and just not have joy. But i decided to have faith in my Father in
Heaven and in his plan for me. My relationship with Him grew stronger. I called
on him continuously and he never missed a beat. He was there for me and when,
at times, I literally felt like I had no more to give, He gave me the strength
needed to continue forward. I felt his love, his guidance, and his presence
abundantly in my life this year as I truly grew in my faith.
There were specific times this year where I felt the
presence of ministering angels. I know that they were sent from my Father in
Heaven to bare me up when I literally had no more that I could give. This was a
miracle that I experienced multiple times this year and I’m truly grateful for those
times where I felt them encircle me and help me get through some of the hardest
times that I have yet endured.
I know without a doubt that Jesus is the Christ. I know
that we have an Father in Heaven who loves us and wants nothing more than for
us to come back home to him. I know that it is our job to hold to the rod and
stay true and faithful to the covenants that we have made with him. The journey
is never easy....but so very worth it. Stay true. Stay faithful. And find joy
each and everyday. I leave my witness and this testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
