Sweet Home Ellabama : Week 34

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL Y'ALL DADS!

What a great topic!! I love thinking about the role of fathers-to protect, love, guide, teach, support, provide, correct, care, know, and trust their children. And you know what is soooo cool.... just as we have earthly dads, we have a heavenly father!!! Our Heavenly Father is another name for God. He has the same role-to protect, love, guide, teach, support, provide, correct, care, know, and trust His children. God is the father of our spirits, so everyone on earth is a child of God.

This parallel relationship amazes me. I love it soooo much!! Both my dad and my Heavenly Father want me to learn, develop, and eventually leave their presence so I can become something better. For my dad, that was letting me go to college and move to Alabama for 1.5 years! God has done the exact same thing! We lived with Him before coming to earth. He sent us here to learn and grow and become like Him. Without experience we would never develop, that is why life is hard. And I quote, "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger!" So true. Therefore, being born on earth in families is a micro version of God's macro plan.

Even though I am not in heaven, one thing I am learning over and over again is how close God is to us. This week I was stressed out and worried about life, but as I talked to my Heavenly Father in prayer I was comforted.

I felt this comfort in the temple, which is the best place ever!!! Most of us are familiar with churches, but temples are even more special!! They are literally the house of the Lord. In them we are taught about our purpose on earth and God's plan for us. We are united as families forever. As I said a simple prayer in the temple I was filled with peace. In the Bible Christ makes a promise to his followers, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you." (John 14:27) This is exactly how I felt. A sense of peace I have never found in the world came flooding through my body.

I know God is aware of us. He understands and knows the details of our lives. Because He is our Father, He cares, loves, provides, trusts, and knows us! He wants to talk to us through prayer. I promise that you will feel His love and reality as you say sincere prayers.

I hope y'all have a great week and you ponder how incredible fathers are-both our earthly dads and heavenly father! I am so grateful for both of my dads!!!!!!

Your Alabamian Girl, Sister Ella Rae Madsen