This week was finals week for Jake and I, and we made it through! Jake did very well in his class, and I'm hoping to at least pass all of mine since this semester was extremely difficult. The hardest one I've had in college, I think. We managed to get through the mountains of homework both of us had, and I didn't explode from stress, so it was a solid finish for the semester!
On Thursday night, I was really having trouble falling asleep. I had an exit interview with one of my professors the next morning that I was very nervous about, and it was affecting my ability to just relax and allow myself to get some rest. I tried all my usual tricks that help me fall asleep, and nothing was working. Finally, feeling pretty guilty, I rolled over and woke Jake up to ask him for a priesthood blessing. A priesthood blessing is using the power and authority that worthy young men receive in our church, which allows them to do things like bless and pass the sacrament on Sundays or give blessings to anyone that is sick spiritually. physically. etc. A blessing is a prayer given to one specific person. According to our church website, which I went to for help clarifying what I mean, it is: "given...by the laying on of hands and by inspiration, to one who is sick or otherwise in need of special counsel, comfort, or healing." For more info, you can watch this two minute video here. Jake got out of bed groggily and shook himself a bit to wake up, and then came over to my side of the bed, placed his hands on my head, and gave me a blessing. I don't remember everything that he said, but I could feel the Spirit so strongly, and tears were streaming down my cheeks after a matter of seconds. I know that he blessed me with the ability to feel comforted and let go of the tension I was feeling so that I would be able to sleep, and that I certainly did. The second my head hit the pillow, I was out like a light! My meeting the next morning went well, and it was my last thing to do for the semester, so as I walked out of the building I could feel even more weight being lifted off of my shoulders.
I'm so grateful that at a very young age I knew I wanted to marry a worthy priesthood holder, and that I stuck to that decision as I got older. Having someone who supports me through thick and thin and can give me extra spiritual strength and blessings when I need them is something that I hope I will never take for granted!
On Thursday night, I was really having trouble falling asleep. I had an exit interview with one of my professors the next morning that I was very nervous about, and it was affecting my ability to just relax and allow myself to get some rest. I tried all my usual tricks that help me fall asleep, and nothing was working. Finally, feeling pretty guilty, I rolled over and woke Jake up to ask him for a priesthood blessing. A priesthood blessing is using the power and authority that worthy young men receive in our church, which allows them to do things like bless and pass the sacrament on Sundays or give blessings to anyone that is sick spiritually. physically. etc. A blessing is a prayer given to one specific person. According to our church website, which I went to for help clarifying what I mean, it is: "given...by the laying on of hands and by inspiration, to one who is sick or otherwise in need of special counsel, comfort, or healing." For more info, you can watch this two minute video here. Jake got out of bed groggily and shook himself a bit to wake up, and then came over to my side of the bed, placed his hands on my head, and gave me a blessing. I don't remember everything that he said, but I could feel the Spirit so strongly, and tears were streaming down my cheeks after a matter of seconds. I know that he blessed me with the ability to feel comforted and let go of the tension I was feeling so that I would be able to sleep, and that I certainly did. The second my head hit the pillow, I was out like a light! My meeting the next morning went well, and it was my last thing to do for the semester, so as I walked out of the building I could feel even more weight being lifted off of my shoulders.
I'm so grateful that at a very young age I knew I wanted to marry a worthy priesthood holder, and that I stuck to that decision as I got older. Having someone who supports me through thick and thin and can give me extra spiritual strength and blessings when I need them is something that I hope I will never take for granted!
