I ASKED for trials???

When I was 16, I received my patriarchal blessing.
Being 16, I didn't really understand what it was, not to mention what it told me. I have puzzled over it for many years.
As church members, we are taught that understanding can take quite a long time. 
And certain parts of it have taken 30 years!!!
One of the things I was told was that I asked for trials.
I ASKED!!!
WHAT?!?
Why did I do that?? I have experienced so much pain and suffering throughout my life. I have struggled and lost, been abused and taken advantage of. I've been horribly ignored and almost lost myself more than once.
I have discussed this with so many bishops and nearly all of them have said that the trials I have experienced are not, in fact, from the Lord but of my own doing.
Wait... Wut?
I have come to the following conclusion...
Fathers are encouraged to have priesthood interviews with their wives and children. Bishops and stake presidents have interviews with the members under their care.
Does it not make sense that our Divine Father would sit with us and have a priesthood interview with each of before we came to this mortal sphere? Doesn't it make sense that He counseled us and helped us plan our life?
So yes, those bishops are right, but only partly. 
Yes, I created these trials. But the Lord allowed me to choose these difficulties based on His interview with me.
Back to my story.
In February of 2020, my uncle died. He was a Navy veteran and so I assisted in planning the funeral. R went with me to the funeral and I will always be grateful to him for that.
On the very long drive home, we made a stop at a convenience store. R began talking to the lady in front us while waiting in line. 
She invited us to her house for a drink. R immediately said yes.
Um...
I was full of apprehension. What was going to happen? Why did he agree???
I will admit, I was scared.
But then, as soon as I entered her home, I KNEW why we were there.
She started crying and asked, "We're did you come from??".
In that moment, I knew exactly why I was there.
I explained that the Lord had sent me, that he loved her and knew of her situation.
We spent the next 2 hours there, telling her that over and over.
R was very sober as we as we left her home. He told me that he was blown away by the whole thing. He was amazed that I allowed him to do it and was humbled by what he heard me explain to her.
Fast forward a few weeks. I was laying in bed, almost asleep. I was talking to Heavenly Father about general things. I explained that while life had been rough, I had been trying hard to accept that I asked for trials. I wondered why I did that.
Almost immediately the room seemed filled with light. I heard a very joyful chuckle and then I heard my Eternal Father tell me that He had been waiting for me to ask the right question. 
He explained that I asked for trials so that I could feel empathy for others. That because of my trials, I can look so many people squarely in the eye and explain that I KNOW how they feel. And to explain to these people that I would walk with them through the process so that they aren't alone.
I have been doing that for a very long time. Having it confirmed by my Father that I am living up to my agreed upon potential is one of the sweetest experiences I have ever had.
I have learned that I will always get what I ask for. 
I just need to be ready to accept that getting what I ask for can sometimes be a painful process in and of itself.
That's okay. I know the Lord has me and will get me where I need to be.
I can deal with that.

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