God Speaks

It's no secret that I believe--actually, know would be a better word--that God exists as a loving Father who created us, who loves us, who hears us and blesses us. While it can be difficult for some to find that same knowledge as I have gained, it is not, even in the slightest, impossible. God does not manifest Himself in the flesh on a daily basis, but He does truly manifest Himself  through--at least--two different mediums: situations, and the Spirit.
I was very open with the world about having a hard time finding a job. Frustrated doesn't even begin to describe the magnitude of my feelings towards our predicament. I wanted something with decent pay, that wouldn't require me to work on Sundays, but it felt impossible to find a job that would comply with my will. While Corey was traveling for work this past semester, I would spend hours a day searching for jobs that would become available through the school. I would open an application, edit my resume, write a cover letter, submit the form, and await a positive response. None would come. The process repeated time and time again, always with the same outcome. Then it happened.
I received an e-mail three and a half weeks before Corey was supposed to be finished with his work for the job I mentioned in my previous post. We both felt rather strongly about heading up to Rexburg earlier than anticipated. Our thoughts were that I would be offered this job.
That wasn't the case.
My initial response was confusion. I had prayed for this position to be extended to me. I thought maybe it was the right time.
Did I misunderstand the prompting Heavenly Father sent through the Holy Ghost? Was it not a prompting at all; was it just myself?
Wrong again.
One week after being rejected, I checked my email to find something rather interesting in my inbox.
"I work for LDS Philanthropies", the e-mail said. "I received your name from a contact at BYU-Idaho who felt you would be a good fit for us. If you would like to apply for a position here, please send your resume."
I think I stared at my phone, my eyes wide with elated confusion, for at least ten seconds. This was too good to be true!
The interview took place last week and I prayed and prayed that I would get it, if it was the Lord's will. It was.
Not an hour after the second interview concluded yesterday afternoon, I was informed that I had been hired as a student receptionist for the office, with hours that would fit perfectly with my school schedule, allow my husband and I to keep the class we've so desperately wanted to take together, and keep the Sabbath day holy as He has commanded and as I have had a sincere desire to follow.
I may not have gotten the job that I had initially thought the Lord was preparing me for, but I got the job He was actually preparing me for--all because I had a desire to love the Lord more than my bank account and follow Him when He has led me, never postponing His promptings.
With promptings in mind, as I was driving to my interview yesterday, it had occurred to me that I hadn't prayed. Because I was behind the wheel, I obviously didn't fold my arms or close my eyes, but I knew that wasn't the criteria for God hearing me; my nature as His child means He will always take the time to hear my prayers. 
I didn't miss a beat when I felt I needed to pray, so I did. During my plea for strength and confidence, I felt this little voice say: Ask about Joseph Smith.
Random, I thought. I already know, without a shadow of a doubt that he's a prophet! However, after all the blessings I've received from following the Lord with little to no hesitation, I decided to ask.
Did Joseph Smith see--chills. Absolute chills. I hadn't even finished the question when I felt my body shaking with truth and burning with belief. The peace that accompanied this feeling was greater than the first time I had asked. I decided to finish the question anyways. Did Joseph Smith see what he--again! It happened again!--saw? I knew I had already received my answer to this simple question about the boy who claimed to have seen God. In that instant, I heard that same little voice whisper, "Yes." It was a special witness to me, just one more time, that the "claim" is no longer a claim. What that boy said he saw, he did see. He couldn't deny it because he knew God knew what he saw. Now, I cannot deny it because I've received yet another witness that he saw what he saw, and God knows I've received that witness--because He gave it to me.
God hears us. He puts blessings in our paths every day--some bigger than others, but they are there. He gives us promptings to follow. Some seem only of minor importance, but those are testing our desire to follow God in every capacity. In these instances, for me, I learned a few things absolutely critical to my salvation:
God is real.
God loves me.
God is aware of me.
God speaks to His children.
Because of all those things, He has called a prophet to lead us so that we do not go astray.
Only God gave me the ability to know these things through His divine messenger.
No teacher could ever replicate the lesson that God--through the Spirit--taught me these past few days. Teachers help us believe and help lead us to the Lord with our questions. The Lord helps us turn those beliefs into knowledge.
Following promptings is so important in our quest for happiness. The Lord knows every path that winds its way to Him, and He will direct our course.
Not every journey follows the same path. That is precisely why we've been blessed with the gift of personal revelation. Let the Lord direct you on your journey. Let Him mark the paths you should take. The roads have been paved through His Atoning sacrifice. Although there will be twists and turns, with Him on your side, it will be far less bumpy. 
Turn to Him; walk with Him.