April 26th Week 29 - Music of Miracles  Layton Utah Week 19 (T1 - Trainer DL W/Gibson)

皆さん!

 

...What a week. This week has been more of a whirlwind than I expected. I don't have room in this email (or enough time) to go over every single moment… but allow me to say one thing:

 

We believe in miracles.

 

My new companion's name is Elder Gibson! He's a native of Michigan, and I've never seen someone more eager to get out and work. His faith and his work ethic are amazing - and it's been incredible to see how prepared he was when he came out! I took him on a walk of the area, and we had the chance to share a couple of scriptures. And wow - he took to it like a duck to water. He's maybe still a touch nervous, but that's quickly fading. I'm still teaching him the ropes and all of that, but when it comes to teaching, it's as if he's been out forever. And he only continues to improve! I'm humbled the Lord would send someone like him here - and I couldn't have asked for a better trainee.

 

And not only that… we're continuing to see miracles everywhere we go.

 

Here's just one small example.

 

This entire week, we've been meaning to make our way up to one of our wards (on the opposite side of the stake from where we live). But things have continued to come up - Talking to someone that really needed it for longer than we expected, or just simply not having enough time. It's been a little bit weird.

 

But the Lord seems to always have the best timing.

We finally made it up to the ward on Saturday - and after comp study, we decided now was finally the time to get to know that area.

 

As we prayed for inspiration, Elder Gibson spoke up. "Hey, why don't we try praying for something specific?"

 

We did - but as I tried to go through each name in the ward that I could think of… nothing came up. So I prayed we might be led to someone who needs the Gospel or needs a message of the Gospel.

 

And then… we set off.

 

"Elder," my companion called. "Do you believe in miracles?"

"Do you?" I replied.

"Of course I do," he smirked.

"Good. Because I do, too."

 

What followed in the next two hours could only be described as a miracle. Each turn, we would call out which direction we should go - and we only conflicted once. Every single time we chose a direction, we looked within ourselves, searching for the direction that felt right the most. And then, on three, we'd point - and we'd get the same direction.

 

And it seemed the Lord had a very specific course He wanted us to follow.

 

We walked past a party one of the members was having, and we were able to share a message of the resurrected Christ to everyone there. We might never know what may come of that. We were able to encourage another member to reach out to their nonmember neighbors, and share just how much this Gospel has brought them joy. We ran into a part-member family (well, the member part), and we were able to share a scripture with them and just talk about how the week has gone.

 

And then, as we approached the intersection, we felt ourselves drawn towards the other side - the beginning of the other ward. Trusting in the Spirit, we decided to act.

 

Pressing forward, I looked down one of the streets to find a man finishing up repairing some of the interior of his truck. My spirit immediately felt pulled towards him, for some reason.

 

We approached him, and based on the house, I immediately knew - he's someone we've been trying to talk to for the past five months.

 

We talked for a while - talking about why we as missionaries were here, how much joy this Gospel brings, and how much we've seen it bring comfort and peace to other people. He smiled and nodded, but said he wasn't religious, and fell away from the church about when he was sixteen. But we were able to have a really good conversation with him… and we were able to build something of a relationship there.

 

The following day, his neighbor, who's in the Relief Society presidency, mentioned that just five minutes prior, she had been talking to him about religion, as well. In fact, it was funny because we looked over at her house, and we saw all her kids eagerly waiting to see what would happen. It was pretty fun.

 

But it was such a miracle. The timing of it all, and just… how much the Lord loves each of His children. It's incredible, isn't it? To know the Lord is willing to keep us and make sure that we're safe… it's a little bit of a miracle every day. And all because He and Heavenly Father love each and every one of us, and want us above all to have the joy and love.

 

I'm grateful that we had listened to the promptings of the Spirit. I realized later that though I wanted to pray for something specific, and the Spirit seemed to agree… the reason none of the names I came up with were because the ones I tried to say were in the wrong ward. Only Heavenly Father would have known that exchange could have happened. Only He. He guided our thoughts, our hearts, and actions - even the words we spake seemed to resonate with the Spirit. We tried our best to speak according to His will, inviting this friend to change. Though he never did accept… I believe we might have made an impact even bigger than we could even possibly comprehend.

 

But now, it's up to him to choose what path he wants to forge.

 

That's just one example of miracles happening with this companionship. The Lord seems to be mindful of every detail. When we chose to make it to one of our wards on time instead of eating lunch, another ward mentioned they had brought sandwiches for some of the youth, but they hadn't eaten it all. So they gave us an unopened catering tray of sandwiches - all safe to eat. ...I wish I were joking.

 

Miracles seem to be prevalent everywhere that we've gone. We're constantly seeking the Lord's will in everything we do - and following the Spirit no matter where we may be going. It's surprising just how much we're able to see blessings in not only our own lives, but the lives of others as we serve! We've found by seeking others' needs and helping them before our own needs and wants, the Spirit works through us even more than we could possibly imagine - and we're truly able to touch their hearts through Heaven's help and strength.

 

I've found that the Lord is involved in the details of all of our lives… because He, our Older Brother, would never leave us alone to struggle by ourselves.

 

I know that if we pray sincerely, reaching out to Him, and asking of Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ if They are there, and if They love us - and not just us, but you, yourself, individually… They will answer. I've seen it in my own life. I've done the same thing in times of trouble and mire. And I've been able to feel the Spirit testify to me of their love.

 

And now[...] I would ask of you, have all these things passed, of which I have spoken? Has the end come yet? Behold I say unto you, Nay; and God has not ceased to be a God of miracles.

Behold, are not the things that God hath wrought marvelous in our eyes? Yea, and who can comprehend the marvelous works of God?

Who shall say that it was not a miracle that by his word the heaven and the earth should be; and by the power of his word man was created of the dust of the earth; and by the power of his word have miracles been wrought?

And who shall say that Jesus Christ did not do many mighty miracles? And there were many mighty miracles wrought by the hands of the apostles.

And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? And behold, I say unto you he changeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles.

Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth. (Mormon 9:15-19, 21)

 

And after that he came men also were saved by faith in his name; and by faith, they become the sons of God. And as surely as Christ liveth he spake these words unto our fathers, saying: Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you.

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended into heaven, and hath sat down on the right hand of God, to claim of the Father his rights of mercy which he hath upon the children of men?

For he hath answered the ends of the law, and he claimeth all those who have faith in him; and they who have faith in him will cleave unto every good thing; wherefore he advocateth the cause of the children of men; and he dwelleth eternally in the heavens.

And because he hath done this, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased? Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men. (Moroni 7:26-29)

 

You all are amazing! Hope you have a fantastic week!

 

Take care,

Elder Decker

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