A Priesthood Blessing

   Once upon a time in a science class my teacher put me next to a girl I knew...this girl became my best friend in the whole wide world. She has been an example to me for so many years, she is incredibly smart and beautiful and wonderful. I wouldn't be on my mission today without her influence in my life...and she sent a tender mercy for me to share with you!

    A few weeks ago, I moved back up to school for my senior year. The tender mercies have
been many so far; the one that stands out most in my mind right now is something perhaps seemingly simple: a priesthood blessing.
   
    By the end of my first week of school, I was exhausted. Change is always difficult for me, and so far this semester has proven no exception. Try as I might, it didn’t alter that I had all-new roommates, a ward I hadn’t been a part of before, and a significantly smaller support system at school than I had expected. As wonderful as the people around me were and are, I felt so alone. I didn’t know where to turn. I’d received a priesthood blessing the night before moving up to school, one that had provided wonderful guidance, direction, and comfort, and because of that, I didn’t feel at first like it would be appropriate to ask for help again, nor did I particularly desire to admit how much I was struggling. It seemed that with all the love and with all the tender mercies I’d already seen that week, that I should really be able to make things work without having to ask for more. Once I did start to contemplate asking for a priesthood blessing more seriously, I also realized I wasn’t sure that there was someone I’d feel comfortable asking to give me a priesthood blessing in the area, either. After a day or so of this all being in the back of my mind, I finally prayed, and asked Heavenly Father to guide me. I didn’t know what to do; all that was left was to trust that He knew better than I did.
   
   After I prayed, a friend came to mind, someone I could feasibly ask to give me a blessing and with whom I was comfortable enough to be humble enough to ask for help. Once I realized this, I gathered my courage, prayed he was home, and walked across the parking lot to ask. Again, my prayers were answered – he was home. I explained my situation, hoping I was sufficiently coherent, and asked if he would be willing to give me a priesthood blessing. My friend, good man that he is, was very willing, and gave me a priesthood blessing.

    In this instance, the tender mercy was two-fold; circumstances fell into place to ask for a priesthood blessing, and I was able to receive a priesthood blessing. Knowing that I could ask for such a priesthood blessing and then receiving a priesthood blessing that promised comfort and strength, though seemingly a small thing, made the most amazing difference for me that week. Though sometimes small, tender mercies are a loving Heavenly Father’s way of letting us knowing that He is there, He is listening, and He knows me and you.