May 3rd Week 30- Serenity in Revelation  Layton Utah Week 20 (T2 - Trainer DL W/Gibson)

皆さん!

 

Sorry for the late email! I've been fighting Gmail all day... 

 

It has been a crazy week this week. We're seeing some amazing miracles happen even through our short time here thus far - Miracles I haven't seen even in my time here before Elder Gibson!

 

I'm convinced Elder Gibson is the lynchpin in this area. There have been so many miracles we've been able to see while we're here - and I know miracles will continue to occur. He has such an enthusiasm for the work, and the way that he sees things and the spirituality he carries with him... it's remarkable. There have been many a time where his advice has helped me to calm down - whether he knows I was panicking or not - and there have been so many things that he's said that I know came straight from the Lord. And it seems that the people here need exactly him - his spirit, his kindness, his joy, his love for all he meets! 

 

Weekly planning, for example - it literally felt like we were in the celestial room. It felt as if the Lord was sitting next to us as we spoke - talking about each others' fears and struggles, and helping each other through it. That, and just the love that we were able to feel for all of the people we're teaching... it was just amazing. I can't quite find the words to describe it.

 

One of the days this week, we took a bit of comp study sitting on one of the overlooks which faces the entirety of Farmington and the Salt Lake Valley. It's beautiful. One of the things we agreed on, gazing out at the city we both love, was this:

 

The Lord has placed us together not only for the people we serve... but for each other.

 

The miracles we've experienced have been amazing. I think I've made more contact with nonmembers by working with him and following the Spirit than I ever have before. And for each of them, it's felt like Elder Gibson has been the exact person that they need. We found one particularly recluse nonmember out on a proactive walk as he stepped out of his truck - extremely nice, but very uninterested in a message, unfortunately - we tried in natural ways twice! Another was on our way to deliver cookies to one of the families they're teaching for one of their birthdays - we met a part member family out in their garden and garage. We were able to set up a lesson with them - and the nonmember might be there, too!

 

And the other was after one of the inspired walks with one of the members of the stake presidency. 

 

He offered to take us back to our apartment, but as we were walking back to his house, I remember feeling this sense of just... unease. I wondered if it was just over thinking it...

 

But as we turned onto one of the roads back, I decided that I should act on that feeling. I asked if we could walk back, and he was more than happy to accommodate - especially when we told him it was a prompting. We stepped off to the side, and said a prayer - and just as we have been doing all throughout all of our walks, Elder Gibson and I counted to three and pointed in a direction. With the same direction, we bid our member friend goodbye and began our trek and walk down. Immediately, a rush of the Spirit flowed through my heart and soul. It was almost as if I heard a voice - "Hey! You're about to see something really cool!"

 

As we passed by one of the circles, both of our heads felt drawn towards it. Curious, we both looked at each other, and agreed to go and walk. Immediately, we felt our hearts pulled towards a garage, just opened a couple of seconds earlier. As we talked with the man inside, we learned he's a nonmember, but Christian, with a lot of faith! It was such a fun conversation, and the Spirit was definitely there - and powerful! It was great - and even though he's busy for the next week with an iron man, we're going to be setting up a lesson afterwards and set up Bible study with him! It's really exciting - and a huge miracle. We talked about it later - and Elder Gibson had felt the exact same things I was feeling.

 

It could have only been because of the Lord! 

 

There are so many miracles happening in this area with the two of us - I'm convinced the Lord has a plan for us. I'm going to continue to keep trying my best to keep up - and together, I have a feeling that the Lord has something in store for us we don't even recognize.

 

All of these things line up for me with Mark 2 - the story of the man afflicted with palsy, from my studies out of the New Testament. I love the expression of hope and joy that comes from the expression of both physical healing and spiritual healing! 

 

5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

6 But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,

7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

8 And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?

9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?

10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)

11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.

12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

 

The Savior has the power to work miracles in our lives. I've seen it here on the mission - and I know it's true. I'm truly grateful to know that He who never sleeps or slumbers is actively engaged in this work with us - walking with us, talking with us, and showing us the path that will help others to come back unto the fold. And whether it be physical ailments or spiritual... the Lord wants to help us all. I know that and testify of that because I've seen it in my own life, both before and here on the mission! 

 

Take care! You all are amazing - love you all!

 

Cheers,

Elder Decker

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