"This is like one big object lesson!"

Yesterday, my really close friend Arianna and I went on a hike.

We climbed Thunderbird Mountain, around where the new Phoenix Temple is being built!

Now. If you know me, you know I have been anti-outdoors for most of my life. I tend to not like being outside, I don't like getting dirty or sweaty, I don't enjoy the bugs that are found often in the outdoors.

SO you can imagine my surprise, as I found myself agreeing to go hiking with her. I absolutely adore Arianna, so my motivation to go was so that I could get some time with her, and the fact that we would be going to see the Phoenix Temple construction sight!

It was such a beautiful day. We started climbing at about 5:30, around sunset (there we too many clouds, though, so we will be hiking another day to see it!). There was a slight breeze, so that was nice. There weren't many people, so nobody was really around to see me attempt to hike for the first time.

Let me just say, I am totally out of shape. Within the first 10 minutes, I was breathing heavy.
Within the first 30 minutes, I legit stopped in mid sentence and said "I think I'm going to vomit, yo."

Arianna kept telling me though, I'm strong, and that it'll be so worth it once we reach the top. It will be worth all the effort to just, be on top of that mountain and see the beauty of everything from high up.

There was a point where I stopped, looked up at the sky, and yelled a prayer.

''HEAVENLY FATHER PLEASE GIVE ME THE STRENGTH TO FINISH CLIMBING THIS MOUNTAIN AND HELP US TO BE SAFE. PLEASE. HELP. I SAY THESE THINGS IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AMEN."

Suddenly, I kid you not, there was a strong breeze. I felt the pain in my legs lessen, and I knew Heavenly Father was answering my prayer, right then and there.

So guess what happened next?

 

We made it to the top, and let me just tell you, it was absolutely, 100% worth it.

Being on the top of that mountain, I felt such a sudden rush of peace rush over me. Everything was so silent, calm, and serene. All the pain in my legs disappeared as if it had never been there in the first place.
Looking around, I was overwhelmed by the beauty of Arizona.

 

Arianna and I have such an amazing bond, and she is my favorite person to discuss the gospel with. While we were hiking, we talked about the many blessings that come from having faith in our Heavenly Father, and enduring to the end.

 

I compared this hike to when I decided to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: The beginning was rough. I knew at the beginning that the decision would be worth the end result, but it didn't mean that the journey to that point would be easy. I knew going into it how hard it would be, but I knew it would all be worth the trials and struggles I would face.

This hike was not only good exercise; it was such a spiritual experience that I got to share with one of my best friends. I was able to reflect on how much this church has changed and blessed my life. Hearing Arianna's testimony, and how much she loves this church, gives me so much strength.

In my prayers, before I went to bed, I thanked our Heavenly Father for this beautiful place we get to live in. I thanked Him for giving me the strength to be able to reach the top of that mountain, and truly realize the beauty of what's around me.

I think a lot of people in life don't take the time to truly look around and see the glory of what is directly in front of us. I'm so thankful for this earth we've been given to live on, I'm thankful for the gospel that I am living, I'm thankful for Arianna and for her strength and support.

It's interesting, one of the first things I said on the hike was "This is like one big object lesson!"

It really was (:

OH AND LOOK THE TEMPLE IS BEAUTIFUL EVEN UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

 

My goodness I can't wait to see it completed!

Thanks for reading! Come back soon! (: