A day before
Thanksgiving my Dad came down to my room at 4:45 A.M, just like any other morning,
to get me up for our workout that started at 5:15. I tiredly got up and got
ready to go. As we traveled over to CrossFit me and my dad chatted it up, again
just like any other morning. However, that workout did not go as I had
expected. I started into the strength part of the workout which was dead lifts.
I built up to a tough 3 rep set at 205 pounds. After the strength section I set
up for the W.O.D, the workout of the day. It consisted of 10 rounds for time of
10 dead lifts at 135 pounds and 20 box jumps at 20 inches. On my 7th round
of my 7th rep of dead lifts I noticed I was getting really tight
through my back and down my legs. I dropped the bar to take a break, shake it
off and then start again. However, when I went to go start again I realized I
could not move and then I noticed from my hips to my toes were completely numb.
As the pain began to set in and shock I called out for my dad to come help me.
I was mortified that I couldn’t finish the workout. My dad cleaned up my
workout equipment and tried to load me into the car but I couldn’t bend and
could hardly walk.
After the
accident we went home and I was in a considerable amount of pain yet I remained
optimistic thinking that I was young and would heal over night. However, as I
prayed to my Heavenly Father for speedy healing the answer came back clearly
that this would not be a quick fix this time. I just could not accept that answer
and began to think it was all in my head. I hurt myself the day before
Thanksgiving and I will not be expected to return to the gym until the start of
April – yup a long road of recovery.
The start of
this road was really bumpy! Life was nearly
perfect before I got hurt. I was a competitor at the gym and looking
forward to the CrossFit games after a year of hard training. Every morning I
got to talk to my dad and workout with him. I was also really strong and
getting stronger and building, might I say a really fine body! Now I was in
pain with every movement I made! I couldn’t get in and out of my car without
crying. Sitting through classes was unbearable and working was really
difficult. I was in the crapper!
I had the
question, I am sure as many do, of why can’t my Heavenly Father just heal me?
He healed leapers and he can still perform miracles, I know he can! But the
hard fact is that life is hard and challenges are stinking hard but that is
part of our Heavenly Fathers plan. We have to endure Challenges with faith.
Two thoughts
have come to mind during this time. . . .
My first
thought that came to mind was the story of “Footprints In the Sand”
I know my
Heavenly Father during not only this trial but through all my trials has
carried me through them. I could not have made it on my own. And as I recognize
His hand in my life, I gain strength as I know that I am not, nor will I ever
be alone.
My second
thought consisted of a section of scriptures found in The Book of Mormon 2nd
Nephi 2:11-15 which states:
11 For it must needs be, that there is an aopposition in all things. If not so, my
first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass,
neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad.
Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should
be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor
corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor
insensibility.
12 Wherefore, it must needs have been created for a
thing of naught; wherefore there would have been no apurpose in the end of its creation. Wherefore,
this thing must needs destroy the wisdom of God and his eternal purposes, and
also the power, and the mercy, and the bjustice of God.
13 And if ye shall say there is ano law, ye shall also say there is no sin. If ye
shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. And if
there be no righteousness there be no happiness. And if there be no
righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. And if these
things are not bthere is no God. And if there is no God we are
not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things,
neither to act nor to be acted upon; wherefore, all things must have vanished
away.
14 And now, my sons, I speak unto you these things for
your profit and alearning; for there is a God, and he hath bcreated all things, both the heavens and the
earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and things to be cacted upon.
15 And to bring about his eternal apurposes in the end of man, after he had bcreated our first parents, and the beasts of the
field and the cfowls of the air, and in fine, all things which
are created, it must needs be that there was an opposition; even the dforbidden efruit in fopposition to the gtree of life; the one being sweet and the other
bitter.
I mainly
just thought about verse 11 when I thought about my trial but this whole
chapter is amazing or more basic the whole Book of Mormon is AMAZING and if you
don’t have one leave a comment and I will get one to you! But. . .
If Heavenly
Father were to have just answered my prayer and granted my desire I would not
have had the opportunity to experience this opposition in my life. As I have
been slowly building back my strength and movement I have become extremely grateful
for my athleticism and all that it allows me to do. I have also become thankful
for my dad, who is my best friend and having the opportunity to work out with
him every morning at the ridiculous hour of 5:15 A.M. And more importantly I have come to know my
Savior, Jesus Christ better.
Continuing
to have faith during all my trials has saved me. While I was struggling it
would have been easy to turn away from my Heavenly Father however, my growing
has come from turning towards him. I continued to pray, read my scriptures,
attend all my church meetings and doing all my Lord and Savior has asked me to
do. I know he has felt me pain and my frustrations and I know He will never
leave me alone.
Finally, as
I have put on my eternal set of eyes this trial has been a huge blessing in my
life. When I had to stop attending CrossFit I started going to my college gym
to workout at least my upper body. Do you know how many numbers I have gotten because
. . .yes this girl can do at least 50 pull ups a workout and 20 unbroken? YUP!
I have gained so many friends!!!! Along with making boy friend, girls have asked
me to become their trainers. However, I have turned down their offers and said
just be my friend and I will help you with all that I know. Silly. . . right?
But truly it’s been a blessing.
This trail
as many others have turned from trails to blessings. While I have been out a
short while I have gained a true appreciation for all that I have. I have a
Heavenly Father who knows me, loves me, has felt my pain and is always a prayer
away. I have the Holy Ghost which is the greatest comforter and gift and as
lead me to bless many people with my talents and friendships. I have become more
grateful for my athleticism and all it allows me to do in my life. I have
become grateful for the time that I get to spend with my Dad and look forward
to spending that time with him again. I am grateful I have an eternal perspective
and I know this is just a small moment of affliction. I know that there is life
after this earth and there is a plan of happiness. All of this has come through
a small and simple trial but as Alma 37:6 states, “Now ye may suppose
that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple
things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth
confound the wise. “ Who knew a
small and simple trail could stir me up unto remembrance and learning.
