True Friendship

The theme I've been focusing on, "How Can I Help" wouldn't be complete without mentioning a wonderful friendship that has come from this trial. We were already friends before, we had been swapping date night babysitting for a year. However, this trial has made our friendship even stronger.

I will never forget the day I shared with my friend that I was struggling with depression. She was so understanding about all I was going through. She didn't hesitate a moment to help me. She has been a true example to me of Christ-like love. There have been so many times she has come to my rescue. I've shared a lot with her of what goes through my mind and yet she still doesn't judge me and she  keeps on being my cheerleader through it all. "You got this" is my favorite catch phrase she says to cheer me along. I have sent her countless emails that she replies to with words of encouragement, reminders of the power of our Savior and the strength that comes from Him, and lots of great advice to help me out. She has knocked at my door multiple times to be my "distraction" for a little bit. I have so many memories of things she has done to help me that it would take multiple posts to cover them all. She has helped to lift this trial in my life so it's not so heavy.

I know she doesn't want to be in the spot light so I won't go on too much longer, but I have to share one of my most cherished memories. On one particular hard day, my husband was trying to decide whether he should go to work or not because of how I was that day. She called me that morning and I answered in tears. After some coordinating she decided to come over to my house. She arrived at my house shortly after with her makeup in her hands because she was not wanting to leave me alone for too long. We went to the library together. Then her wonderful husband watched the kids while we went to lunch, helped set things up for a Relief Society activity, and did some grocery shopping together. I will never forget that day and the true friend she was and still is today.

This post wouldn't be complete without a little shout out to her husband. That day she and I went and spent time together, not only did he watch the kids but he fed them lunch and even got my Kindergartner on the bus. He too has been a blessing through this trial. He's helped my husband give me blessings, he's watched kids while my friend and I went to lunch, he's helped in so many ways. I am so grateful for him.

To me this is what friendship is all about and I don't know what I do without this friend in my life. Thank you so much friend!!!

Unexpected Friendship

Friendship can come from all different avenues. I will forever be grateful for one friend who introduced me to a new friend. A friend who has helped me in so many ways, even though we live five hours apart and have only met each other once, and briefly at that. She has shared with me some very touching experiences she has had in her life. Experiences that shed a whole new light on the struggles I have been going through. She has listened to me and then given me advice to help me through. She is one amazing woman and I'm so grateful for her influence in my life. I'm so amazed at all she is able to accomplish and still have room to talk to me. I can't wait to get to know her a little better.

As I've thought more about the people who have stepped into my life recently and helped me so much, I've realized how truly blessed I am. The friendships I'm building are priceless. It's amazing to see how trials and service can bring us closer to each other.

So here is my challenge to you, next time you are given an opportunity to serve, even a friend of a friend, don't hesitate. You never know what friendships may come of your service.

It's a Team Sport

Life is not an individual sporting event, it's a not a race to see how fast you can go on your own. Life was never intended to be done by one person alone. From the beginning of time the Lord knew it was not good for man to be alone.  We cannot make it through life without the help of others. That fact has REALLY hit me lately. I really can't do this all alone, especially on those days when all I want is to be left alone. Heavenly Father has blessed us with family and friends to help pull us through the tough times. At the same time, we can bless others through their tough times as well. Life is without question a TEAM SPORT. We all have to work together to make it through.

As I thought about that concept I realized that Heavenly Father has blessed us with some fabulous teammates. I have my entire family I can turn to in a heart beat and any one of them would be there to help me with whatever I need most. I also have so many friends and amazing visiting teachers that are also more than willing to help me through this. I am SO grateful Heavenly Father gave us each other to help us through.

One thing I have felt is integral in fighting through this battle with bipolar is to build a "support team" of 2-3 people. I originally started out with two people, my wonderful husband and an amazing sister-in-law (AKA sister). I knew I could turn to them at any time. They encouraged me to start seeing a counselor, they listened to everything I had to say, they gave advice they felt would help me the most. Then after a few months Heavenly Father blessed me with another incredible friend to add to my "support team". All of them have helped me to see that I am still loved, that I really can pull through. They tell me "you got this".  They keep reminding me that yes, I really do need to keep taking the meds, even when I don't think I need them anymore. They have laughed at/with me on my super great days and they've been there with me during my worst moments. I NEVER could have pulled through this without them.

The most important member of my support team is our Savior, Jesus Christ. With Him on my side, the fight becomes much more bearable. When I think of all He has done for me, I begin to realize that if He could keep going then I can do it too. I know He knows how I feel inside. He has provided me comfort and peace when I've needed it most. I owe everything to Him.

We are all so blessed to have so many teammates to help us through life. That alone shows me how much Heavenly Father loves us, He didn't send us here all alone.