My life has been changed.

I came across this photo of my friend, JJ who I volunteered with in India. It is one of my favorite photos of him helping a lady put her sandals back on after having her feet bandaged up. It has been 2 months since I've been back, but everyday I reflect upon the opportunity I had to serve there. Through hard times, this is one of the things dear and close to my heart that I hold on to. I've been thinking a lot about that...how God gives us experiences and the people in our lives to show us how much He cares and loves us. It's interesting reading the post I had right before leaving for India. I expressed that I had a healing towards my broken heart and I felt that I was made whole     ...but as we keep going in life, we still get hurt, broken hearts, disappointment, confusion, loss - but that's the thing: I can't just go back to India with hope to keep getting a healing towards my heart ....... but I can hold on to the things I learned there! I can hold on to my faith and hope! I can hold on to God and my Savior Jesus Christ and His atonement! Christ is the way! He is not a dead Christ. He is the LIVING CHRIST with healing in His wings!

A few days ago, I had a friend who said to me that he has seen a pattern established in me. He asked me, "Nusly, when were you the happiest this year? What about last year? And the year before?" - my answers always came to be the times when I had served. We truly have joy when we are in the service of our fellow beings which is being in the service of our God. I'm not in India anymore where I am helping the children at the school or the patients at the leprosy colonies, but I have been very blessed to be surrounded by wonderful people here back at home. I've realized that service really can be being there for someone: listening, talking, spending time, taking interest.. Let us all be a true, loyal, and trustworthy friend.

"The crowning characteristic of love is always loyalty." - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Gandhi