The Beautiful Journey

 
As I was sitting on the airplane I wrote in my journal:
As I reflect on this past semester, memories flash through my mind and the feelings and emotions of a life-changing experience surface again. I was afraid that the last night would be full of sadness and tears, but it wasn't. Not for me at least. Thinking about all of the wonderful friends I have gained, and all of the incredible experiences I will take away, all I could do was smile.

I have had the incredible opportunity to walk where Jesus walked, but I agree with what president Uchtdorf said when he was addressing the students and the Jerusalem center. What matters is NOT the physical steps where Jesus walked, or the exact location where He was born or even where He died and was resurrected. What matters is what is in the heart. What matters is your testimony. What matters is the choices you make with the knowledge you have. What matters is how you live each day of your life.

I am convinced that the most important thing we can do in this life is come to know God. In bearing testimony of Him, president Uchtdorf said, "Not only do I know of Him, I know Him." Our relationship with God is something that can grow each day if we nourish it. Testimony comes through diligent prayer and scripture study, and there is no end to the knowledge we can gain. Our relationship with Him is not something that can be maxed out or completed. It is a lifelong pursuit that will bring us everlasting joy. The more familiar we become with God in this life, the more comfortable we will be in His presence in the life to come. "Come unto me" is His invitation. I pray that I can accept it each and every day through the way that I live. At some point in the semester, I realized that I could no longer imagine that Jesus Christ did not live. Some people look at the world and cannot imagine the life of Christ. I cannot imagine the world without His life. He lives! Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, lives.