Testimony Tuesday

Each Tuesday a sister from our ward will share a part of her testimony. This may be part of her conversion (perhaps a story or principle that helped start or build her testimony), a specific gospel principle they've learned through the years, or a missionary experience. This is a way for us to connect with members of our relief society on a more spiritual basis. 

Sarah Belcher shares the following:

As the only member of the church in my extended family, my testimony began when I ran across the church and began to ask questions. I eventually took the missionary discussions and became a member of the church. However, the testimony-building experience that I am most thankful for was the full-time mission I served about 3 years after joining the church. It was the most difficult thing I had done at that point in my life; It was dark, cold and lonely. I had little support from home, I couldn't initially communicate or understand much, I had a companion that did not want to be burdened with me and no other sister missionaries within a day's travel. We had no familiar food, and we weren't allowed to be in members or investigators homes for meals, as there was such a problem with food-related illness. We also did not have hot water, and the water we did have was so radiated that clumps of our hair fell out regularly. The people I served amongst were economically depressed, suffered greatly for basic needs and were generally despondent. It was a huge culture shock and I had seemingly no where to turn for support. Fortunately, a mission has a built-in focus on the essentials, and since I was constantly praying, reading the scriptures, and sharing my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I discovered the real source of strength and support- our Savior, Jesus Christ. I saw miracles occur in the hearts of the people, but especially in my own heart, and I learned where our true happiness comes from. And I came to understand that despite how seemingly different people are, we are all essentially the same- children of a loving Heavenly Father. While I am forever thankful for my initial experiences learning about the church and the gospel when I initially joined the church, it was the experiences of a full-time mission that provided the perfect environment for me to grow and strengthen my testimony amidst adversity, and it ultimately taught me the simple, if not always easy, way to keep enduring through life's challenges.