I was baptized with my sister, Bizzy (Elizabeth for formal use) 6 years ago.
I always remember August 9, 2008 and then the day I received the Holy Ghost August 10, 2008. I remember it so clearly because I remember that was the day that marked a change in my life. It was absolutely the biggest thing that ever happened in my life. I am pretty sure that was the day that everything changed.
You hear stories like that and expect some sort of cliche response. "Everything changed" seems like an appropriate response. There is always a pivotal moment in a person's life that seems to mark all other events as meaningless up to that point.
Granted, my life was no meaningless leading up to my baptism. I had the most amazingly normal life. My parents were those who tried incredibly hard to make my life one that was both happy and encouraged independence. Which I realize was absolutely perfect. If I wasn't raised an independent thinker, than how could I have chosen the church for myself? How could I possibly have ventured out of my comfort zone far enough to accept the teachings of two 19-year-old boys into my house to learn about Jesus Christ?
The circumstances were perfect and the timing was right in the Lord's hands.
Elder Da Silva was from Brazil and Elder Byers was from Houston, Texas. They were not so special to me when I was younger. At the time, they were just a coincidence to me. But now, after serving a full-time mission, I understand how they worked so hard to find, teach and baptize me and my sister.
And really they did not have to do much, because the Lord had prepared us through our friends to receive the gospel at the perfect time in our lives. Without even knowing, He drew us to the church and placed us on paths we had no idea existed. I am so grateful that He would care so much as to do that for me and my sister.
2 weeks of "discussions" later, we were baptized. At the time we had decided to get baptized, I am pretty sure that they did not ask us. I had asked about it and no one had previously discussed it with me or the significance of BEING baptized. I just understood that in the scriptures it said that "Those who are baptized are saved and those who are not are damned." Which was a scary thought, but entirely simple to understand for anyone. And so, I knew what the right thing was to do, and that was to be baptized. I can never begin to be grateful enough for being baptized on August 9, 2008.
There have been so many times in my mission where I have thought and believed that I was born into this religion. That this is something that I have been living my entire life. I cannot describe the personal shock I feel when I realize I am a convert. It gets me every time. I was only baptized 6 years ago, yet I feel this connecting bond to the gospel as if I had known it my entire life. And that I had always been taught its principles and standards of righteous living.
It reminds me "When people here truth, it resonates within them." We have always known that this gospel is true, we have only forgotten it when we came to earth. I know that to be true. I now that because I feel such a deep connection to God and Heaven on a personal level. It is a secure feeling that has already stood the test of time. When you know that there is a history between you two. A lifetime of memories and and entire lifetime more of talking to one another. It feels vaguely the same as when you hear your father or mother's voice and that instant recognition floods over you. Of course you know who they are, they are your parents. And we have a Heavenly Father who loves us infinitely more so.
I can't even remember a time where the gospel wasn't in my life. I don't want to imagine a world without knowing the truth, without feeling that wonderful security that I feel with the Spirit close by, or without the knowledge I do now.
I know that God lead me to the Truth on purpose, but I still was under control of my own path.
I know that this life is the one to be living. A life with the Atonement, Jesus Christ, and knowledge of Heavenly Father and His plan. I can never ever look back, it is not possible. This is my life now.
It is new, it is beautiful, and I as so grateful for this chance to live again.
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