Oh boy, what a
week! I don't think I have ever been so excited, exhausted, anxious, or joyful
as I have been this week. Let me see if I can sum it up for you real quick (it
probably won't be very quick). I am now serving in a place called Dublin,
Ohio. I don't think I have ever served in a place quite like Dublin. It is a
beautiful place, full of beautiful homes and nice families. Life is so good,
which sometimes makes it a bit hard for people to see why they need the gospel
in their lives. Or at least that is the reputation this area has received. But
coming into this transfer, my companion Sister Tolman and I decided we were not
going to let those stereotypes and past results get in our way of seeing
miracles!
One of the
biggest things weighing on me lately is a goal we have as a mission. President
Stratford received revelation that each companionship in the mission can help
someone to be baptized before July 1st, and since then it has been confirmed to
me multiple times that this is possible. So I have faith that this is possible
because God always fulfills His promises. But upon arriving in Dublin, there was
no one on date to be baptized in the month of June. And in case you forgot,
it's already June. So we seemed to be in a bit of a pickle. To be totally
honest, I was frustrated and a bit angry. I don't know what at, but I just felt
like it wasn't fair. But God gave me a good kick in the pants and an assurance
that all things are possible through Christ. So I picked myself up and we made
goals and plans to find someone and make this happen.
I think my theme
for the week has definitely been Alma 8:10
"Nevertheless
Alma labored much in the spirit, wrestling with God in mighty prayer, that he
would pour out his Spirit upon the people who were in the city; that he would
also grant that he might baptize them unto repentance."
This is
literally me. Every time I would read in the scriptures about individuals
wrestling with God or struggling in the spirit, I obviously recognized that
whatever it was they were praying about was something they really wanted and it
took effort. But this week, I think I truly have come to understand what that
means, the kind of desire that comes from understanding the eternal
consequences of what needs to happen to the point that it consumes you and
leads you to struggle in prayer, and the type of energy and effort that it
takes. It is more than just physical exertion that we experience when we work
hard, but it is spiritually and mentally strenuous. I don't think I have ever
wanted anything more, and I think what heightens that desire is knowing that it
is what God wants as well.
We have been
working so hard, meeting and teaching many wonderful people and looking
everyone for those who are prepared for baptism. Yesterday evening Sister
Tolman and I both felt like we should see a woman in our area book. We went to
her home and actually met her daughter who is about our age :) She is so
cool!!! She immediately opened up to us and found interest in our message. We
taught her about the Book of Mormon and she said that it would be so important
to her to know that there is more scripture about Christ, because she wants to
be able to learn as much about him as she can. We shared more of the
restoration and the conversation shifted to baptism. What she said made my
heart fill with joy "I have always wanted to be re baptized, so that this
time it would be my own personal commitment to follow Christ" Friends, she
excitedly accepted a baptismal date of June 30th, is looking forward to church
Sunday and reading from the Book of Mormon. She is a miracle. I gave her the
biggest hug before we left her doorstep and could not help but tear up as we
walked away, practically jumping for joy that our prayers had been heard and
answered. I know that at this point she can't possibly know the magnitude of
the commitment she just made, or how hard the adversary is going to work
against this. But we know these things, we know how impossible a task this may
seem, so we are going to keep struggling in the spirit and wrestling with God
to make this happen. We will continue to find those that God is preparing and do
all we can for those we have already found, because they are always there and
God will always provide a way.
Remember that
God loves you. He hears your prayers. He knows of your worries, fears,
concerns, anxieties and trials. It may not always come in your timing, but an
answer will always come. So keep praying, and while you wait Just Keep Smiling!
