I can't even begin to express my feelings for the multitude of tender mercies Heavenly Father is pouring down! I am just going to start by tell you the story of Barbara and how the Lord has prepared her.
So Barbara has been looking for a church for years. She has been baptized Lutheran and that one is the one she kept going back to but bad stuff just kept happening. In 1996 she requested a copy of the Book of Mormon from Salt Lake. She got the Book of Mormon in the mail along with a letter asking her to read the introduction, 3 Nephi 11 and Moroni 10:3-5. It also said two Elders would come, but they never came. Her best friend of 35 years was baptized in 2000 but left the church. She ended up coming back to church 9 years ago and has been sharing the gospel with Barbara ever since. 8 years ago Barbara has had several unexpected deaths in her family. Her friend, Karen, shared with her the importance of temples. Barabara has always been a little hesitant to learn from people other than her friend so it never went farther then their discussions as friends. Now 3 weeks ago the Elders had this strong impression to knock this neighborhood. They did not like this neighborhood. Everyone rejected them without fail. All they did was give away one passalong card to Barbara who was on the phone so she didn't talk to them at all. They had no idea what they did! She decided it was time! She requested the movie on the card and we brought it to her! We also gave her another Book of Mormon and gave her an assignment to read the introduction and 3 Nephi 11 and we read Moroni 10 with her and promised she could know these things were true. We came back the next week and she showed us that letter and we had given her the exact same thing to read. We also showed up and she had her member friend there. We taught the Plan of Salvation and oh boy! Karen's testimony made it so powerful because she knew exactly what Barbara needed to hear! Barbara also said she had been reading the Book of Mormon everyday! She was hugging and told us how comfortable she feels reading it! She love it! We felt the prompting to invite her to be baptized and she accepted a date for
April 25th! Right after she accepted her friend said, "I knew you gonna get baptized! I already asked to give the talk on the Holy Ghost!" So we aren't going to have a hard time planning :) She also came to church this week and loved it! She is so amazing! You can just see God's love for her!
Also Tina is doing incredible! She finished the Book of Mormon! She is just progressing beautifully, the gospel is changing her. She smiles more and you can see a light in her eyes, hope! We had a lesson on the Word of Wisdom this week! Her only hold up was coffee and she cut down this week from 1 pot to 1 cup which is so good! We had another lesson and went over Mosiah 18 and what baptism is about. She is so excited! She said a beautiful prayer about her baptism. It was probably one of the best moments I have had as a missionary so far. She has a testimony and she expresses it! She also is still coming to church and loves it! She said next week she wants to take notes! We are encouraging her to read some general conference talks and get excited about it coming up! We are so excited for her! She is excited! She gave us girl scout cookies too! What more could you want?
I also got a pluthera of packages this week! That was exciting I couldn't believe it! Every sibling sent a package and I got a card from Valine! I can't believe I am 20 though. That isn't cool. Not cool.
I was 27 this week and looking for Faith. I think the people of Ammon had more than Faith they had hope. They had hope in the Savior. They KNEW he died for them and they KNEW that all would be well and made up to them. They followed Him with all their heart, all their souls.
28 And they did look upon shedding the blood of their brethren with the greatest abhorrence; and they never could be prevailed upon totake up arms against their brethren; and they never did look upon death with any degree of terror, for their hope and views of Christ andthe resurrection; therefore, death was swallowed up to them by the victory of Christ over it.
29 Therefore, they would suffer death in the most aggravating and distressing manner which could be inflicted by their brethren, beforethey would take the sword or cimeter to smite them.
30 And thus they were a zealous and beloved people, a highly favored people of the Lord.
These are just some of the most beautiful verses to me. I've read and read them but if you read along with True to Faith's definition on Hope it just gets so much more personal. I have been thinking a lot about what that kind of dedication would be. How we get to that. That is where I want to be. Nothing wavering. With such a trust in Christ that they would give their all. I love it.
I hope you guys have fun celebrating together! Be safe! Be happy! I love you so much!
I love you more than all the birthday packages in the world!
Anne
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