Feb 8th, Week Eighteen - Winter of Springwind, Layton Utah, Week 8  

皆さん!

Oh, before I forget! I have yet to receive the final confirmation, but we're all clear if you'd like to listen to my talk! I'm giving a talk (sermon, essentially) this coming Sunday at 9:00am in the Compton Bench Ward! I... can't promise that the church Wi-Fi will be happy afterwards, but you all are more than welcome to tune in! 

http://mywebcast.churchofjesuschrist.org/farmingtonutahnorthstake (Choose Compton Bench Ward!)

How has this week been? I've heard it was the Super Bowl yesterday - but we have no idea who was playing. Did you all do anything fun for that? And aside from that, did anyone do anything exciting this past week? 

The weather here this week has been absolutely beautiful. We've had pretty much everything far and in between - snow, rain, clouds, sun, clear skies... it's been almost magical to see. And here I thought Washington weather was volatile... haha. Most of the pictures I'm sending out this week are nature pictures. We've had some really interesting phenomena happen with the weather - rays of light bursting through the clouds, snow in temperatures there shouldn't be snow, and visibility as far as the distant mountain ranges a few days after another snowstorm. It's pretty crazy - but it's beautiful!

It... sums up this week quite nicely, actually. It was a veritable whirlwind.

We've been teaching lessons nonstop this past week. Our stake has set a goal to have a lesson with each family within the stake with records in the Church system. Although this week hasn't been nearly as populated with lessons as when the initiative first started, this week we've seen miracle after miracle with these lists - honestly! This week we've dubbed the "final call" - we are calling everyone who has not had a lesson and has not said they are not interested. If they don't respond, we're placing them on a list of names to see if we can find another way to contact them - whether that be by email, or contacting through a person who they know well, or safe visits. There have been people who we have been trying to call and get a hold of for a literal year - and this week we've been able to get in contact with them! Our ward mission correlation meeting members have also been working with us non-stop to try to get as many of these people in contact with us as possible, on top of continuing to help us to reach out to non-members through door knocking (from a safe distance and with the proper procedures! it feels like a hit and run where we knock and then run back as quickly as we can...). Already, we're seeing miracles happen time and time again. 

And honestly, these meetings are part of the reason that make being a missionary so amazing. While it's true we are trying to find people to teach and bring them to knowledge of the church, I've always had a firm belief that every person is important and significant, both outside of the church and within. We've seen COVID affect so many people in so many ways - and we've seen people really begin to struggle and come to grips with everything. Being able to help them and answer their questions, and to lift up their spirits and invite the Spirit into their home... it's a miraculous and wonderful feeling to know that we are helping people to heal after this virus has scarred so many of us. We've met with so many amazing and wonderful people - many of which have really struggled emotionally. Some have struggled with questions with their testimony. Some have struggled with health. Even more have struggled with isolation.

I understand there is an order to everything - and I understand that it is the responsibility of members to help each other and bear each other's burdens. But I cannot turn a blind eye when so many are hurting and suffering around us... so we've been lifting where we're standing. And it's brought me so much joy to have people say, "Thank you - what you're doing has really helped me to find comfort at this time."

I can't take credit for much of it - nor would I ever want to. It's amazing to see what good we can do if we lead with our hearts, and doing our best to help as many people as we can. We're only going to be able to make it through this together, after all.

But to see the Lord working through us missionaries - to be able to see the small little intricacies of what we're doing really making an impact, and to be able to see how much joy we're bringing people is truly humbling.

We met with an older woman this past week, and in getting to know her a little bit before we discussed a principle from the scriptures. Towards when we were about to start, she happened to mention that she was a convert - and the Gospel has really brought her peace in these times. As the son of a convert myself, I've always loved hearing conversion stories - but unfortunately, we were running out of time. We asked her if she would be willing to tell us Monday evening (tonight) when we had a little bit more time. She paused a little bit before nodding, "Yes, that would be perfect."

We didn't learn until yesterday during fast and testimony meeting why that was. She bore a powerful witness of how the Lord has truly wanted us to prepare for these days - strengthening our foundations and testimonies. I can't remember exactly what she said, but it went something like this:

"I met with the missionaries just recently," she smiled, "and as many of you know, I am a convert to the church. I mentioned that to the Elders, and they said they wanted to hear it! But we didn't have a lot of time, so they asked to reschedule for Monday at 7:00pm. And I just knew that was the Lord reminding me how important it is that we strengthen our testimonies for these times. It happens that tomorrow is the anniversary of my baptismal date, which was in the evening of February 8th."

It took us by absolute surprise. There was no way for us to know that - we don't have access to any of that information. All I remember from that moment was wanting to know more and wanting to hear the story, but not having time for it. It's a testament to me that if we continue to move forwards with faith, trying our best to do the right thing... the Lord will influence us to work miracles through His Spirit. We don't necessarily recognize it at times - but the peaceful feelings of doing the right thing, and seeking after those good things... that is the Spirit. 

It made me think of Moroni 7:13 - "But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God." And I think it's so true - that as we are doing good, and trying to do good, we can find ourselves working miracles for others. The Lord wants more than anything to bless His children - and I promise that if we are willing, we can help Him to accomplish that.

We also had a chance to meet with a blind woman who we've been trying to get a hold of for the past year, as well. She has had scam callers who have set up false caller IDs before, so she only answers the phone if it's a name she recognizes. With the help of one of the members, we were able to set up a call with her - and being able to meet and chat with her was absolutely fantastic. Her testimony is so strong, and being a blind widow in the midst of COVID has been hard for her. She's a very social person by nature, and so staying inside and having little to no contact with others has been really, really hard for her. Being able to share a scripture with her, to be able to just talk with her... it was amazing. She's a wonderful woman - and we've set up a weekly time to call from here on out! She gets her second booster vaccine next week, so she's really excited about being able to go out again!

There is so much that has happened this week - but I think these are some of the biggest highlights. It's been a lot of fun - hard work, but a lot of fun.

You all are amazing! Take care!

Elder Decker

デッカー長老