I am a daughter of God

Something changes inside of you once you realize the truth of being a child of God.
Heavenly Father really does love each of His children more than any of us can imagine, and that love is so powerful. As a daughter of God, I am such a unique individual. Knowing that I am good enough for His love and mercy, is really changing something inside of me.

I was in an abusive relationship for almost 3 years of my life. The false security left me longing for love, and holding on hopelessly to something that wasn't right for me. My unique situation lead me to investigate the church in the first place, looking for God and His love. When it finally came time to face my insecurities, and break off the relationship, I was in a desperate search to know that God really did exist. I always wondered how my Heavenly father could let me go through something so horrible, and destructive to the little self esteem I had. Looking back I realize that if it weren't for that experience, and all I learned from it, I wouldn't be a member of the church, and I would not have such a strong testimony of Gods divine and infinite love. My patriarchal blessing even explains this to a way that touches my soul so deeply, I KNOW THAT I AM LOVED.

As women in todays world, we struggle with our physical bodies, hating every inch of what we have, envying the looks on magazine covers.
As members of the church we know that God gave us this physical body. We have arms, legs, eyes to see, hearts to feel. Our bodies are gifts, they are temples to house the spirit of the Lord within us, and like the temples we go and worship in, we should be treating them with the upmost respect.

I was told by that nasty ex boyfriend of mine, on a constant basis, that I am fat, ugly worthless and useless. It didn't take me long to start believing these things. Once I escaped the relationship, I walked around with this false perception of myself.

As I think of the term "my body is a temple" I gain more respect for my body, and who I am. God made me exactly how I am, every flaw, every hair on my head. He thinks I am beautiful, and he loves me more than any man that I will ever date or fall in love with. Sometimes our insecurities fall in the hands of the men who broke our hearts, and part of my journey in this gospel, is learning that God loves me more than any man can. Being good enough for Heavenly Father has helped me respect and love myself more. Its helped me set my standards on a higher ground, and forgive myself for mistakes and imperfections I carry with me. To take a gift from God, and nourish it, brings a lot more self worth into our lives. How we perceive ourselves does matter, and how we love ourselves can determine where we stand with our testimonies in the gospel.

I am noticing a change in myself, a change I have been praying for, which is coming slowly but surely, as I grow in my conversion.
I truly know that I am a divine daughter of Father in Heaven, and because of this, I deserve to find someone who loves me exactly as I am. Someone who is blessed with the ability to see me as my Father sees me. Someone who cherishes me as a daughter in heaven, and loves Christ more than anything. I am learning, every day, to accept the love I have been blessed with, to open myself up to the blessings God has given me, and to no longer fear; Because God has put me on this very path, so I can be happy.

This gospel has completely erased the old Angelena. It has changed everything that was not good, virtuous or lovable. It has made me a woman, with eyes wide open to the real change of heart this gospel brings people like me. Christ and His atonement has saved my life. It has saved everything that was amazing in me, and brought it back to life. I know that I am a beloved daughter of God. I know that I am loved beyond compare, and everything that I am now, is because of this simple truth.

I just want to bear my testimony today, that God really does love you. He wants to bless you. If we allow Christ into our lives, and if we can learn to live the gospel, things start to happen that we never imagined could! Lives CHANGE. Hearts CHANGE. God is so good. I know this gospel was restored upon the earth, and because it was restored, we all can find joy, peace and a fullness of blessings within ourselves and our lives. I want to express my deep love for all the daughters of God; You are beautiful. You are worthy of this Love, so go chase it. Never settle for less than you are worth, and remember that you are worth millions in the eyes of God.