In retrospect 2011 was a crop burning year. I have mentioned before an experience I had on my mission.
Burning the Crops
It was my first day in the Missouri Independence Mission out in the field. It was April 16th and spring was coming in. We left Independence by bus and when we got to Salina we were picked up by a member out in Kansas. When I get nervous or scared I get really quiet. Silence becomes my shield. As we drove to Manhattan Kansas I kept my sights glued on the endless fields and non stop horizon. I noticed that there was smoke billowing from the fields as we passed by. After moments of contemplation my curiosity won over and I had to ask...
Why are they burning the fields down?
The answer was so simple....
Well Sister Webb they are burning the fields down so that the old crops turns into ash and nourishes the soil so a new crop can come in and flourish. The farmers use a controlled burn to clear the old and bring in the new strong crops.
My mind whirled! I couldn't fathom how this principle would touch me for years to come. It was a simple example of the refiners fire principle.
The Savior will burn me down to make me stronger and bring forth a new me.
So enough about the crops. That has been my 2011. I've been home just over a year from my mission and I've seen miracles and great blessings. Yet like everyone else I've had my upward battles. So guess what I did when I was at the point of throwing my hands up and giving out....
I went to Missouri.
I went back to a place where it all made sense. A place where I knew that the meaning of life was the plan of salvation. Where there was no competition. Where the people took me by the hand and took me for what I was. A place where no matter how long I was gone I could walk in as if I'd been gone a minute. A place that truly felt like Zion. I went back to the place where my testimony was rebuilt and mended from damage before. This is a place of solace and a Stone of Ebenezer.
Elder Russell M. Nelson taught us about Stones of Ebenezer when he came to our mission. He said that there are experiences in our life where we see the Lords hand perform miracles. In these experiences when our testimony is boosted we can place a Stone of Ebenezer to look back on when our testimony waivers and remember what matters most. A Stone of Ebenezer is translated as a Stone of Help. Samuel set up a stone as token of gratitude when they were delivered from the Philistines.
So we each have Stones of Ebenezer to look back on. We need these cause there are times when we feel we can no longer go on. When our faith in the Lords timing and plan is ready to crumble. There are times in our life when we have to walk on water and our faith just isn't as strong as we'd like it.
These moments are humbling...these are moments when I realize I'm not quite who I want to be or where I want to be. They are moments that drive us to purge our souls. We must do a self analysis and say...
Why am I not who I want to be?
How do I get there?
Then we begin to cleanse ourselves....sometimes its a devastatingly hard process. One that makes us burn to the ground and enriches us so we can grow strong and new again.
All I can say...Let it!
Work to forgive. Work to release the anger and hurt. Work to become a little better and be more like the Savior. When it gets hard to do this then keep on going. Don't give up. One day you'll look in the mirror and say
WOW...I am far closer to the Savior then I was before. I'm far happier being closer to the Savior. I know that I can do anything.
When you are at the point of burning...go back to your roots. Go back to the places where you knew what everything meant. Go to a place filled with love and healing.
Go to a place where the Savior has called you....when you receive a prompting take it. There you will find treasures.
GO BACK TO YOUR ROOTS...
LET IT GO...
AND
BURN!!!!
cause once it's done...you will realize it was all worth it. :D