Hello hello!!
I've officially been in th great Ohio for a while year! Cannot believe how fast it has gone and how many miracles have taken place. Last week was a prime example of what God meant when He said "a marvelous work and a wonder". As mentioned last week, President Stratford has a goal for every companionship to Baptize
before July 1...which means people need to be coming to church! Last transfer Sister Hicks and I worked so hard to get people to church but it never happened. Saturday we set a goal to help as many people as possible make it the next morning. Well, God definitely consecrated our efforts! The next morning we and the whole ward were stunned when one by one six of our investigators walked into the chapel!! Six investigators! Hahaha we didn't know what to do! 😂 All I can say about that is exactly what Ammon said in Alma 26,
"Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever."
Two of the investigators who showed up are our miracle family. We have been praying so fervently to find a family to teach and help work towards baptism and God gave us Andy and Debbie! They are a Welsh couple with super awesome accents. Andy has never really gone to church or particularly liked organized religion. He went to church with Debbie a few times throughout their marriage but always thought it was boring. (remember Uchtdorf's words, "church sleep is the best sleep!") anyways, they had been previously taught by missionaries but the timing just wasn't right for some reason. When we stopped by they let us right in. We testified of the sacrament, which is the whole reason we even go to church, and promised them how much it will help them. Debbie was very excited to go, but Andy said they'd try out the first hour and that's all. After sacrament meeting was over Andy cheerfully said, "well I guess we will try the next part a bit." WHAT?! We were about ready to hug goodbye! Then
after Sunday school he still wanted to stay for the third hour! At the end of church Sister Hicks asked him how he liked it, and he responded very positively--he wants to come back next week. 🙊 Debbie looked at me and said, "he's a changed man! Catch me, I'll faint" 😂 man, it was such a great day!
Also, we are currently teaching a man who lives in India! He would be baptized but he lives 900 miles away from the nearest church building. After we had a lesson with him and were setting up a return appointment he said, "hang up and call me back in two minutes. That's when we can meet again." 😂 haha he's awesome! He has heard a lot of anti Mormon stuff, but he told us, "I have never read anything bad in the Book of Mormon, so I'm going to keep learning and reading." talking with him has made me realize even more how lucky we are to have the gospel at such easy access... He has no opportunity to learn more than over video chat and can't partake of the sacrament. He does all he can with what he has...do we do all we can with all we have? God has blessed us with temples all around us (if you're in Utah haha!) how often do we go? How often do we truly prepare for the sacrament? How often do we share our testimony? How often do we sincerely study the scriptures? I hope we all take time to ponder upon a way that we can more fully live, love and embrace the goodness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. :)
Thank you all so much for your prayers and support! They mean so much and have helped more than you could ever know. Love you all! Remember to be happy always, even when it's hard. 😊💕
Love,
