because of my faith

a few conferences ago, bishop edgley gave a talk entitled "faith - the choice is yours".   during this talk, he made a list of a few things he did in his life as a result of his faith.  when i was serving as a missionary in calgary, canada, i read this talk one morning and was struck by the profound nature of his list.  i decided to do the same thing.  i came across this list this morning.  written december 10, 2010.  it made me smile to think back on the experiences that had led me to that point in my life, and also think about some of these points that i haven't been as diligent about lately.  here is that list: 

because of my faith:
- i have heeded the call to serve a full-time mission in canada for the Lord for 18 months of my life
- i pray with the hope that i will receive an answer in the Lord's time
- i have made sacred covenants with the Lord in His holy temple
- my back was completely healed in 2 weeks rather than 8 after my bad fall
- i gained a testimony of the truthfulness of the book of mormon
- i sent missionaries to visit my best friend then sent her a book or mormon
- i bear my testimony with confidence, power, and conviction everyday
- i trust that the Lord is making me who He wants me to be
- the promises in my patriarchal blessing are being fulfilled daily
- i left a piano performance scholarship and major to pursue elementary education
- i pray every morning with assurance that i'm being heard
- i follow the traditions of my parents and how they raised me
- i pray for experiences to grow and lean everyday
- i fast, because it is a commandment, even though i hate it
- i am becoming comfortable with who i am and who i can become
- i sat down at the piano again after a year of resentment
- i made it through my first transfer as a missionary with a tough companion
- i read my scriptures daily and attend church every week
- i honor my parents and trust that they won't lead me astray
- i perform temple work for those that have passed on
- i remain worthy to hold a recommend
- i focus on things i can change, and seek to do so
- i've made the promise and commitment to never lose my faith
- my testimony grows every single day, especially when i share it
- i know i will live with my family forever
- i access and use the atonement to change and improve
- i have been able to forgive people who have deeply hurt me
- i look forward to the future and try to enjoy the present
- i strive to keep an eternal perspective and trust in the Lord
- i accept Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and Redeemer
- i take the sacrament each week and renew my baptismal covenant with the Lord
- i try to do everything i am asked to do, even when i don't understand the reasons why
- i set goals and consistently try to improve myself
- i receive answers to my prayers and act on those answers

there are many points i could add onto that list today.  in reality, every single thing that happens in my life is somehow tied back to my faith.  the best place to ground our faith is in our Savior, Jesus Christ.  He is the rock.  He is the way.  He is the faith.