Seven years ago I started a journey to find the life I abandoned at age 19. I looked t the Lord to heal me with his stripes and to love me with his mercy. I have felt so much pain during this journey, unspeakable pain. I've been at the point where I just wanted to be gone to not feel anything. Recently I've gone through the most pain I've ever felt with my family being broken apart! I have layed on the floor crying uncontrollably, crying to God to ease my burden and to lead my children and I through this. I prayed for forgiveness and for my wife's forgiveness. There was so much pain! I can tell you now that I feel just as much joy at this moment as I felt pain in those moments! The last time I was in the Temple I was 16, and I will be going to the temple on Saturday with the youth! I will be ordained an Elder on Sunday! I have been waiting patiently and faithfully for seven years, and now I will be able to go to the Temple! I couldn't have done this while I was with my wife because of circumstances beyond my control, but now I can. She made her choice and I made mine. I chose our Savior, and she chose the other path. My joy is running over and I am once again crying uncontrollably! Only this time it is tears of joy and I look as though I am laughing out loud! The tears are just as real as before but they are now a healing gift from Heavenly Father through the loving atonement of Jesus Christ! My cup runeth over! You, my new friends, are the first ones I've chosen to tell because you have helpd me so much. I have very good, loyal, and dedicated friends by my side here in Kansas. I know that you understand when say that I have met people on LDS.net that have helped me in ways that they couldn't. You are good people and even though I don't know you well and haven't known you long you have become very important to me. Thank you so much! Shane Virtue

Tags: Faith Inspiration Jesus Christ Love Patience Pain Joy Friendship

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