Episode 45: Rim to Rim, My Spiritual Experience Part 1

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You might be wondering, what "rim to rim" and why are you sharing this with me? Rim to Rim is a difficult 26 mile hike at the Grand Canyon that I am training for. 

I first heard about this hike a few years ago when I was visiting with my family. I have two brothers and a dad who love adventures and hiking. They immediately started looking into the hike and wanting to do it.

Then recently I saw an influencer, Abi Aeyrs, do this hike and I was influenced. I felt a pull and a draw to do this hike for some reason.  This hike descends 14.3 miles and 6,000 feet to the bottom of the canyon before climbing 4,500 feet and 9.6 miles back out again to the South Rim so I knew going in, this will not be easy.

I work out daily but this is something that is definitely going to tax my body, mental strength, and spiritual connection. The thought that kept coming to me was how much strength I would need from the Lord to complete this hike. But I like a challenge so I called up my brothers and they were all in. 

I began training about mid November and have shared a little bit about it on my social media. As I started going through the process, I realized how much of a spiritual experience this process really is going to be for me. Then I heard the whisperings of the Spirit, like I had before, telling me that I needed to share my journey. 

I have been questioning whether anyone would be interested in my experience or if I would even have enough to share. So, I decided to start exploring and letting the Spirit teach me what He wanted me to share. In just the first two months of training I have had 3 significant lessons. That is what I am going to share with you today.

Being that the Spirit has pushed me so hard to do this, I am sure there is someone else out there that needs to hear these lessons too. So, not only am I committing to sharing these 3 lessons with you now, I am going to commit to sharing, almost monthly, the lessons I continue to learn.  Hence the part 1 in the title.

Now, I don’t want this to be just about me. I want you to learn from these lessons as well.  I have created a worksheet with my 3 lessons I learned which includes questions to help you explore how you can apply these lessons to your life. 

Lesson Number 1:

GOD IS INTERESTED IN MY PERSONAL GOALS AND HELPING ME WITH THEM

EVEN IF THEY ARE NOTE SPIRITUAL GOALS 

When I first felt pulled to do this training I also felt a strong pull to make sure I was using the enabling power of Christ to complete this goal. I knew that I was going to need strength beyond my own as I encounter roadblocks that stand in my way. I now see the opportunity this will give me in building a stronger relationship with Christ.

Already I have been writing in my "Seeking Personal Revelation Journal" specific needs I have and the help I have requested from the Lord. I have felt that help and that has confirmed to me that the Lord is interested in me and my goals. Actually, President Eyring has spoken about this very thing.

 “The work which has to be accomplished in the last days is one of vast importance, and will call into action the energy, skill, talent, and ability of the Saints, so that it may roll forth with that glory and majesty described by the prophet Daniel; and will consequently require the concentration of the Saints, to accomplish works of such magnitude and grandeur.” 

I love that he says that will call into action the energy, skill, talent, and ability of the Saints. I know that as I am working on this goal I am strengthening my energy, talent and ability that the lord will be able to use.

Now I want YOU to think about what goal you can set so that you can strengthen your talent or ability and increase your energy so that the Lord can use you? Remember that worksheet I told you about? That is the first question I want you to explore for yourself. 

Even pray about it! You will be pleasantly surprised in what comes up. As you write down your thoughts the Spirit will guide you. Remember, the Lord is interested in helping you with ANYTHING so don’t question it when it comes up!

Lesson Number 2:

ACTING IN FAITH TO GET MORE FAITH

In the April 2021 conference President Nelson talked about 5 ways to build more faith and one of them was to act. He said,

“Act in faith. What would you do if you had more faith? Think about it. Write about it. Then receive more faith by doing something that requires more faith.”

If you know me very well then you know that action is my favorite word. Every time I teach relief society I emphasize taking something from the lesson to act on.  Then enables us to grow and not just listen. Actually, I love it so much I have a whole section about it in my Seeking Personal Revelation Journal.

I know that as I am doing something that requires more faith from me, my faith will grow. By doing my training, my faith already has grown!

So what is it for you? What is one thing that you could challenge yourself to do that requires more faith? I want you to answer that question on the worksheet.

Lesson Number 3:

ROADBLOCKS ARE OPPORTUNITIES

If you follow me on social media you might already know that I had a huge roadblock placed in my way only 1 month into my training. I dislocated my knee wrapping presents.  I was so mad! The day before I had just done my longest training session and was on an amazing roll.

At first, I was told that I wouldn’t be able to walk on my leg for 2 days. Which meant I couldn’t drive, carry items from one room to another by myself or even put my pants or socks on by myself. I was super frustrated

But one morning as my daughter was helping me put on my socks, I had this distinct impression that I was supposed to be receiving her service. It was clear to me that I     was feeling Christ’s love, through her. Plus, her ability to serve me was giving her the opportunity to serve as Christ did.

I was led to a podcast with a talk from President Uchtdorf about being a good and grateful receiver. This experience changed me and my view of receiving service. President Nelson said, “Your flourishing faith will help you turn challenges into unparalleled growth and opportunity.” And this knee dislocation has done just that!

So what roadblocks in your life can you look at as an opportunity for growth and allow yourself to receive what God wants you to receive out of that roadblock? Grab your worksheet and jot down the ideas that are coming to your mind. 

You might be wondering about my knee and how I am going to do this now right? Well, the MRI showed no damage was done in the dislocation so I was able to start physical therapy right away. I am definitely not back to where I was in my training but I know that when I get back there I will be stronger than I was and more prepared with a now stronger knee.

All of these concepts about goal setting, relationship building with God through trust and faith are all a part of my Spiritual Survival Course. There are a ton of skills I have used to get to where I am at in this process and have compiled them all into that one course.

This course teaches you how to be a receiver of the gospel so you can build a stronger relationship with God, Hear him daily, and create consistent spiritual habits. This course is open right now to anyone on the waitlist. Join the waitlist so you can develop those same skills to become a receiver.