Our area is so full of potential, I just can't believe it sometimes. We had two amazing miracles this week that I'd like to briefly share.
The first was last night. We had a "Dia de Traje", basically a pot luck/break the fast activity. There was so much support from the members and because of the invitations that we and many of the members extended, two less active families came! It was so neat. The Villas, one of the families, have a ten year old son who is not baptized, and because of the branch activity last night, we were able to set a dinner appointment and family home evening with them for tonight. Hermana Shepherd was talking with them about a theme for the FHE and they said that they want something that will prepare their son for baptism. They are thinking about a date for him and will let us know tonight!
Another miracle also has to do with the members here. A few weeks ago, we were invited to come and share messages with the branch's churchball team, a team of all nonmembers. On Thursday we went over and shared a message and then invited their "team captain" to say the prayer. He did, and at the end of the game, after we
My testimony has grown so much this week. Wow. This week I have learned that faith precedes miracles. Miracles truly come after a trial of our faith. As you may or may not know, I have had arthritis since I was a kid. As part of this, I have to give myself a shot every other week. Said shot must be refrigerated. Well, in the process of emergency transferring from Simi Valley to Paso Robles, my shot got left in the fridge four hours away. I realized pretty quick once I got to Paso, and Hermana Shepherd and I came up with a battle plan to get it here with Zone Conferences. Long story short, it didn't make the transition.
So, after calling basically all of our mission leaders, we came up with a plan of attack to meet halfway so I could get it and use it (since I hadn't had it in like a month...). Well, we go and meet the Elders who are bringing it to me, and...it's frozen. And as the instructions say, DO NOT FREEZE, the shot was now not usable. Oh the irony!
After a few emergency phone calls, we settled with assuming an order would come in sometime in this coming week. Not ideal, but the best we could do, so it works. UNTIL, after all that had been done, we were driving home, and I got a call from my mom saying, "MIRACLE! We have some at home and we will overnight them to you!"
There were points this week that it seemed like everything was going wrong, especially in the process of getting that medicine here. It was so frustrating at times, but it all pays off when the miracles come. I know that Heavenly Father was not only so aware of that situation, but of every situation in our lives. Elder Bryson, one of the Elders who accidentally put my shot in the freezer, gave me a very powerful blessing that I am very grateful for. In it, he said that I will be able to diligently study and discern why I have arthritis. It's a question that I have thought was unanswerable for years. It's a trial I have had for 12 years now and at times I lose perspective about it. I trust that Lord and I know that all things are for our good, but that hardest trials are the long trials of patience. I am grateful for this whole experience, in the end. It has helped me to refocus and reflect on the things I have learned not only on my mission, but in my life.
I know that our Father in Heaven loves us and looks out for us. I know that faith precedes miracles. I know that miracles are real. I know that faith is real. And I know that everything happens for a purpose. I am so grateful to be a missionary and share my testimony of Christ with others. I know He lives and loves us. He is our Savior and Redeemer. He knows our pains and sufferings and He stands with His hand stretched out to us to guide us and show us the way.
Have a wonderful week!
Hermana Clark