The Sunny Side of Life: Why?

8 Months!

This week I walked up and started talking to a man who was washing his car.

It's a normal thing that I've done almost everyday on my mission. He wasn't that interested at first so I asked him what blessings he has seen in his life. He replied quickly that he couldn't think of a single one but after a moment he replied again and said "actually I can think of one". He told us that he was grateful that his parents has made it home safe. They had been at the concert the night of the Las Vegas shooting.

He stopped washing his car and turned fully towards us and asked "Why did the woman standing next to my dad die? Why didn't God protect her too?"

Two weeks ago I stopped and talked to a landscaper and I asked him if he had any questions for me. He looked me in the eye and asked why a loving God would let all these natural disasters affect the lives of so many.

There are many things in this life I don't completely understand, a lot that I still have to learn but there is one thing I am coming to understand perfectly. And that is God's love and plan for us.

There are things in this life we are simply not going to understand. But I do know that whether it is because of the choices we or others make or because of natural disasters that God is going to do everything in His power to help us come back to Him.

It makes me think about a certain story in the Book of Mormon. Alma and Amulek are bound and are forced to watch as the righteous get cast into a fire and die. These people were probably Amulek's own family and people he loved dearly. He too asks Alma "'How can we witness this awful scene?". Alma responds "behold the Lord recieveth them up unto himself, in glory; and he doth suffer that they may do this thing...according to the hardness of their hearts...the the judgements which he shall exercise upon them...will be just". (Alma 14)

I know that God has a perfect plan for everyone because He knows us perfectly. Oftentimes that plan leads us along a bumpy road. With growth comes pain, sorrow and often, tradegy. But it is through Christ that we will find the peace and comfort we need in these times. We will better be able to see the path He has for us and find our way to our true, eternal destination where our Heavenly Father is waiting with outstretched arms

I love you all!!!

To the moon and back :)

Hermana Showalter

ps. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE CUTEST 17 YEAR OLD BOY IN THE WORLD AKA MY LITTLE BUT VERY TALL LITTLE BROTHER ROSS. WHAT A STUD!