THE KEY

by Edrilyn Melecio

It seems so hard

It seems no one can understand

I, myself do feel so useless

And even at times,most worthless

Fear to change is what I am afraid of

Especially when the lights turn off

Though the sun is up, I feel so down

That I might do it again for nth time around

I'm in grief and pain, my awful soul

Can't even forgive myself at all

Terrified with covenants unforgivable to break

O what is to be done as I forsake?

Then with the still small voice that I'm longing to

Came back with great comfort and tears flushed through

I saw a light from the darkest abyss of mine

Fell upon my knees as my soul started to cry

O, the unwilling bitterness crept inside me

Wanted to break the chains around me

Leaving the sins thought to be unspoken

I walked back to the light with my heart, so broken

I testify that Satan can make things unnoticed

Thought it may seem good to the naked eyes to see

And once you're hooked, he'll laugh as he used to

Speedily drag you down, as miserable as himself

But then I found out, that in this very prison

The gate is open and has no keys

Have felt the keys are on my pocket as I hold

I realized, it is me, I am the key. 

Testimony: Words that Lasts

"Ah kaya pala Mormon ka since birth, kasi Mormon parents mo." 

Yes, I'm born in the covenant. My second home is our chapel. 

My primary leaders taught me to sing and to pray. 

My youth leaders helped me to know more about the gospel through seminary and institute. 

The gospel of Jesus Christ has brought so many blessings in my life...since birth. 

And yet, I'm a human. 

I do have a lot of weaknesses and failures. 

So much adversary, difficulties and oppositions. 

That for most of the time, it frightens me. Especially, when  I have read the most remembering scenario from the Book of Mormon, that the Nephites became worse than the Lamanites. When they felt pride because of much blessings that come up to their lives.  

So I searched the scriptures and have found an inspiration that I shouldn't be afraid to stand strong and firm with the gospel:

"Much is given, much is required. Those who receive greater light, receives greater condemnation."

I came more to realize that trials are blessings. And this blessing is to help us to remember how great Our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are. That we may humble ourselves and turn to Him, again and again. 

It may not be easy. 

But as long as you know your purpose, everything will be alright. 

I'm really grateful to my parents for encouraging me to ask for myself if the church is true as well as the Book of Mormon. And I had the answer which I do uphold until now since 12 years old. 

That the Book of Mormon is true. I have known and felt its truthfulness by the power of the Holy Ghost as I sincerely prayed for answers. 

A borrowed testimony could be for a day or two, but a real, own and prompted testimony of the church would always and forever lasts. 

As we share what we know and make ourselves as instruments to bring forth the gospel through families, we will be blessed with much of His eternal blessings. I'm grateful for those trials that has strengthened me more and more. Knowing that someday I can live with my family and my future family for eternity. I'm grateful for what I am and would be in the future as I live the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We can be like Nephi who stood firm in the gospel throughout his life.

Bloom where you've been planted.

Don't be afraid. 

Live for who you are, and what you are supposed to be.

#ItsAChoice 

#borninthecovenant

Beauty of Endless Limit

It was June 4, 2017, Sunday afternoon when I had a dream that talks about "Beauty". (you might share this to anyone that may feel just averaged or sometimes insecure of him/herself):

***happy reading***

I'm standing in the middle of a great crowd inside a great modern mansion, wearing a plain and modest purple dress with a white little sparkling crown over my head. It seems that no one looks to appreciate or recognize me, just me - like I'm invisible. At the entrance of the gate, there's a great overlaying red carpet. Here came a very beautiful woman whose very tall and of great body posture. She wears a big rainbow-colored crown and a big golden gown. As she walks through the crowd, the crowd gave her the aisle and everyone did bow down before her. Until I have realized, that I am the only one who's left... standing alone. I was forced to bow down but I gave not even a few degrees to bow before her. As I look back, I saw there were two men behind me, standing.. and an another man from the crowd who bowed down that stood up again.. and they stood still. Then the highly-praised beautiful woman saw me and looked at me with a great fierce in her eyes. She scolded me to bow before her. But I refused. As I refused, she chased after me with great speed. But as I went out through the mansion, I saw her that she couldn't run to me anymore. And an old man in the exit gate told the gasping beautiful woman, "Sorry miss, that's your limit." That means, it's her limitation regardless of the worldly things she has. And as I run and move forward, I saw my path, my limit, and it's endless. I saw my endless path leading towards the temple of great ambiance and glory. 

***end of the dream*** 

Yes, its true. Sometimes I find myself  insecure and just average with what do others have. A beautiful face, fame, riches and other things that I know that could make my life more easier. But then, I know that it's not the point of our lives. It's not what we have but it's about how we deal through the things that we don't have in our lives and get those from our own dirty hands.

I came to realize that from my dream that even though my skin was not white and fair as other girls have, even though I don't have a beautiful nose or beautiful as them, or as smart as them, or as rich as they are; I know that I can be beautiful in my own way. Just as how I value myself, my personality, my character and as long as I know who am I and to where should I stand for having that great knowledge and acknowledgement that I'm a daughter of my Heavenly Father who would not let me suffer because He loves me. And looking on the brighter side of  hope that I can improve and prove myself worthy for His Kingdom.

I have remembered what my Mom told me before when I was mocked at the school that, "It is will never be right to be envied with the things that others has, but with who she or he is." Because you can attain any material thing in the world - it was just about the action thing towards that materialistic goal. But the fact of having a great character and personality, it cannot be purchased in just a second but it is to developed for a long time.

I know that our eternal goal and measurement to have in this life is all about our Testimony of Our Savior Jesus Christ even at the end of our lives here on earth. I know that as we run out through the temptations with courage and good intentions, we can attain comfort, peace and assurance that The Lord will never leave us alone.

Illustration/Poster made by: Angel Edrilyn Melecio