Week #30 - 08/10/2015

A family of 4 was baptized in the ward yesterday, and it was a great experience. The English Elders had been teaching them, and they are an incredible family. They started out cautious and against organized religion, but once they came to church and met the ward, their progress skyrocketed. The ward just opened their arms and embraced them, and within the week they had people over helping the family repair their porch, and inviting them to cook outs. Robert, the father, didn't want anything to do with the church at first, but after the first week after going to church, he said "I have never met so many good people before."  He then downloaded the gospel library and just went to town. He basically taught himself 90 percent of the lessons before the other missionaries could. When the english Elders started going down the list or principles, he would just smile and say "Yup, makes sense, prayed about that one too, yup, I believe in that." From tithing to the word of wisdom. I have never seen a family more happy and dedicated. Talking to them, you would think they just won the lottery. And it all started because of the kindness and reaching out of the ward, because they showed the family what the gospel looks like applied. And It really shows the importance of member missionary work. 

We had an amazing lesson Sunday with one of our investigators, a man named Nick. He didn't believe in God, and wanted to hear from us more just out of curiosity. We took a member with us, and started reading 3 nephi 11, when the savior first comes to the Americas. We explained it all fairly clearly, but it just didn't seem to be clicking with him. Then my companion just stopped, and turned to Alma 22, when the laminite king is being taught by Ammon, and then prays for the first time to ask God if he exists. I then asked him what he wanted to know in this life, but I forget exactly what I said. I would be nothing without the gifts of the spirit. When I am stumped, all I have to do is say a prayer in my head and open my mouth without thinking, and the Holy Ghost gives me exactly what I need to say. And this miracle is so normal to me at this point, because I just know that the Lord will help me. It is amazing, and so real. I am going to have to watch myself when I get back, haha. Just opening my mouth without thinking beforehand isn't the best idea without the Spirit. But after I asked that, he just opened up, talking about how fearful he was of all the wars and terrible things going on in the world, and how he just wanted to know what is right. We were able to apply Alma 22 to him, and showed him how he could have that guide, and he committed to pray to know if God is real. 

I just love how little anyone has to do for God to help us, and it always astounds me. He really is so eager for us to grow, and he gives us just what we need, and many times asks us to stretch just a little bit more.  I know this church is true, and I could never deny it. Love you guys.