He Calms Troubled Souls Too!

Today while I was in class I heard quite an inspirational quote: "Sometimes God calms the storm... sometimes he lets the storm rage and calms his child."  I really liked this because I really sincerely believe that sometimes the storm has to happen so we will feel the power of his love more when he comforts us.
The quote itself is self-explanatory.  But the feeling behind it is what drives it straight into my heart.  God has calmed some of the storms in my life for me because without it I wouldn't have been able to feel his power and his influence over everything in my life.  He wanted me to know that he is in control.  He wanted me to know that he can change things for me in the blink of an eye.  For example: I haven't been able to afford some things in my life that I've wanted, but He helped me attend college for a semester.  That money for it came out of nowhere.  That was a storm that He calmed for me.  But sometimes we need to feel His infinite love and nothing else in the world can help us in the situation but His love.  And sometimes we need that opportunity to know that He's there for us through the thick and thin.  So an instance where He's calmed me was when I was freaking out about some very serious decisions in my life and I had no idea what to do or where to turn for answers... so I prayed and I vented and I cried to Him about it.  Well, He didn't solve my problem and He didn't give me any answers.  But what He did give me was peace and comfort and unfathomable love.  I felt as if a heavy coat had been lifted from my shoulders for a moment so I could breathe.  And when the weight of the burden was back on my shoulders, I could bear it more easily and with optimism in my view.
I know that I am a Child of the Most High God.  He protects me.  He watches over me.  And He comforts me.  I know that in moments of turbulent winds and seemingly fatal waves, so to speak, God can strengthen us.  He may calm the storm in our life to show us that He is there and that He is very mindful of us, or He may let it rage and he may calm us and hold us close so we know that we are never alone.  "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." (John 14:18) "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)

The Light at the Tunnel's End

This has been the hardest trial I personally have had to endure.  But Heavenly Father has taught me a lot about the gospel through all of this.  In fact, I would write down what I learned but some things cannot be written because they are so special to me.  One of the things I have learned though is that Heavenly Father never abandons us.  When we are at our most vulnerable, He guides and uplifts us and lets us know that He is there for us if we let Him in.  He loves us so infinitely; beyond any comparison or description.  I have grown closer to everyone I love.

I feel so grateful that He allowed me to stay home long enough to see four of my best friends off on their missions, although it has made me all the more anxious to get out there to serve with them.
I have been able to see a friend of mine join the church and for her to experience the infinite love of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and our sweet Heavenly Father... there are no words to fully express my gratitude to the Lord for this blessing in her life.

It's been great to have these adventures in the time that I've been home, but now I am headed out March 1st to return to my mission and to finish it.  I am so excited.  I don't think anyone really comprehends how excited I am; I don't even comprehend how thrilled I am.  This is something that I've wanted to do for ages.  I finally get to go out into the world and help make a difference in someone's life.  All I've wanted to be is a representative of Jesus Christ and to bring His love into someone's life.  They need Him as much as I do and I will do anything to help them come close to Him and feel His love.

I am Sister Hannah Weaver.  I am a representative of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  I have been called to serve.  And I am answering that call once more.

Sometimes He Lets It Rain

Hey everyone!
I'm halfway through my mono (hopefully) and this has been a crazy month and a half.  Ever since I stepped off of that plane and into my mother's open arms, I've been an emotional wreck.  This has been one of the hardest trials I have ever faced.  For a long time, I asked myself, "Why me??  I was ready to go!!"  It was so hard for me to be so excited to go and so excited to finally get my life going.  I was so excited to serve the people of Bakersfield, CA, and more importantly to serve my Beloved Heavenly Father.  I was so frustrated that I was "one of those people" that came home wayyyyyyy too early.  Am I planning on going back out?? ABSOLUTELY! I have watched so many of my friends and peers leave to serve their missions.  I've been so jealous because I was supposed to be out in the mission field by now!!! I would've been out for almost two months!  Why did the Lord want me to come home of all things???

Well.... today I received my answer.  But first, let me tell you a little bit of background.  So when I got off of the plane I was so sick.  My temperature was very high (It was about 100 degrees fahrenheit), my tonsils were so big that I looked like I had just had my wisdom teeth removed, and I was so weak and tired.  I promise I'm not over emphasizing.  It was horrible.  I couldn't hardly swallow water, let alone any kind of food.  The lymph nodes in my stomach were so swollen that you could feel them and they made me nauseous every time I would eat anything.  Let me tell you, it's been one of the worst experiences ever.  With all that said, I was near tears when I saw my mother again.  I had talked to her on the phone the day before to tell her I was coming home and it was definitely one of the most bittersweet phone calls I've ever had to make.  I was so disappointed in myself for having to come home.  I missed the mission field and I missed my companion, Sister Jacobs.  Well to make a long story short, I've been released from my mission until I get better.  So I'm hopefully headed back out to the mission field at the end of this month or the first of December.

While I've been home, I've had to learn patience.  I've had the chance to talk a lot with my sweet mother and her experience with her trials.  I've been able to accept and love the small things in life that I had previously taken for granted.  I've been able to learn how to crochet (and I'm currently working on a King size blanket) and it's so fun!!  I've been able to think about my purpose as a missionary a lot and I've had the chance to talk and encourage my friends who have just recently gone out on missions.  I've had the chance to help my sweetheart get ready for his mission (and we'll be leaving around the same time this time.... YAY!!!).  I've had opportunities to edit books and to improve my own study skills.  I've had so many opportunities to learn and to grow.  I haven't enjoyed it very much, but I've certainly enjoyed the extra time at home with my sweet family <3

So my purpose in writing this... well... I've discovered my purpose why I came home.  The Lord hasn't given me an answer of why I'm home and I think that was His purpose.  I've had to contemplate and ponder whether or not I should really go back on my mission.  I've had so many moments of self-doubt.  It hasn't been fun.  But the reason I'm home is because the Lord is testing me to see if I'm really committed to His work.  And I am.  I want to be a servant to the Lord for 18 months.  I'm willing to make that sacrifice.  I want this.

A song that I heard today really helped me grasp my purpose... it helped me to realize that the Lord has been mindful of me and that he is not punishing me for anything... he's really helping me to grow.

Some of the lyrics say:
"Sometimes He lets it rain,
He lets the fierce winds blow.
Sometimes it takes a storm to lead a heart where it can grow."

Listen to it for yourselves.  Trials of faith come to those whom the Lord trusts.  I know we all can grow from hard trials.  God has built us to do hard things.  We are His children.  He hasn't sent us here to fail.  Do your best and ask your Heavenly Father for help.  I promise His help will come.  You can do this <3

Love,
Sister Weaver

Sometimes He Lets it Rain video