New transfer means new miracles. The focus on this week was diligence. It seemed for a few days it was just day after day of appointments that fell through and doors slammed in our faces. It was not the easiest week for talking to people, to say the least, which was kind of ironic considering we were celebrating the birth of Christ here in a week. REGARDLESS, Elder Cram and I had the diligence and faith that all was planned and that there was an overarching reason. If there is one thing I have discovered over the past 18 months, it's that the Lord will NEVER send trials our way, but he will permit them to happen and try us according to our faith, however he will ALWAYS provide a way out. It's our choice to take it. 1 Nefi 3:7. When we put our trust in him and let him know that we have done all we could and put the rest in His hands, that is when he jumps right in and sends tender mercies and miracles our way.
One tender mercy was seeing a wedding. We were so blessed to be able to go to the reception of a sealing of an amazing couple in the ward. It was so fun and in fact, Elder Cram and I got put in the program last minute. We had a great meal, got to see some old friends from H1, and see families begin an eternal journey. I have never seen so many proposals and marriages in such a short amount of time. I have a testimony of eternal families. I am so grateful for the sealing power that was restored, that allows us to be bound to our spouses and families forever in the holy temple of the Lord.
Another fun tender mercy! I got to go on exchanges with Élder Jewkes! It was fun being back with him for a day. He is doing well and it was just like riding a bike being with him. You spend 4 1/2 months with a guy, you get to know him pretty well. It was fun for me.
We also had a pretty crazy experience last night. We found a really neat Romanian family that spoke Spanish. Interesting situation, but they let us in and we shared with them about the glorious message of the restored gospel. They were pretty interested and receptive. After, they wanted to feed us, so we said why not. Let me tell you. This was the first time my entire mission that I was scared of what I was eating and I still am kind of scared for my stomach. It was some sort of cabbage thing sitting in a pink juice out in the open for days with some meat from a pig they killed about 2 weeks ago. It was like a sausage. They I think ground up the meat and then hung it up over their door and left it there for weeks, never refrigerated. Still not sure what part of the pig it was and I didn't want to ask. The cabbage thing I could barely get half of it down, and Elder Cram and I did our best to finish the meat. We both left a little green... They were so kind and so hospitable. They loved talking and sharing about their country and Transylvania and Dracula. I love being able to work with people like this, who are so willing to give and give even when they may not have a whole lot. We are going back to share more about the Gospel with them this coming week.
Also, in church we saw a neat miracle. President Guthrie set a goal to have each companionship bring 5 people not of our faith to the service. We were pumped to have Mario there as always, and our young friend Gerald and his family was there which was so cool. Their first time at church. I was sitting there seeing how many people were at sacrament during the sacramental Hymn, and we had the family of 3, and Mario. I thought, wow, 4, we were close to our goal, that was pretty great! I was super happy! After the sacrament ended, we were shocked to turn around and see a part member family that we were teaching walk in and LOVE the reunion we had. It was a Miracle! We were trying so hard to help them come to church, but it was the first time they have been to church in YEARS!! The Lord provided us the means. Like I said, when you put your whole heart into it, and even when it appears you come up short, that provides the Lord an opportunity to work a miracle. It was divine!! The Lord is so present in this His work in helping bring his children to His fold.
I finally found my reason 100% on why the Lord allowed me to serve here in Houston 2. I just feel fully blessed. Mario's baptism was something so special.. I could see him just grow so much. He told me he never thought he would reach this moment. Such a special experience that I personally will never ever forget. He got to share his testimony as well at the end, and my oh my, was that powerful. He testified of the Holy Ghost and how having us over helped him grow closer to his Savior. He shared his whole story, on how he never believed in God, but now he wants nothing more than to serve Him. I was meant to come here to meet him. That I am positive of. For a while I was struggling to see if there really was any difference made in this ward, and if I truly was doing all I could to bless it. I was struggling at times with understanding truly if the Lord had his hand there, supporting us as we worked in this specific part of his vineyard. We were so close with so many people we have taught. In these past months, I've seen over 12 people put on date here and prepare for baptism, but something always impeded them at the last minute. It would hurt. It hurt for a long time.
The Lord was kind enough to send me Mario. He has such pure intentions and has just a simple faith. He answered my pleas over these past months. My heart is so full of gratitude. He taught me so much. He taught me what it means to have a manifestation of the Spirit and trust it. He taught me truly that the Lord will answer our prayers if we truly humble ourselves and choose to do things His way. It happened with Mario. If you were to tell me I was going to see an atheist gain a testimony of the gospel, I would have said you were crazy. But my goodness did God work a miracle. I will never be able to deny the converting power of the Holy Ghost. It's role in teaching is beyond anything we could ever say. I'm excited to see him keep progressing in the gospel and have him be a friend I will have for the rest of my life.
I know this gospel to be true. I can truly testify of of the infinite and eternal knowledge of our Father in Heaven. I know the Lord rarely gives us what we want in the moment, but always gives us what we need. And if we continue in faith that He truly knows best, regardless, we will be blessed more than we will ever know, and see that, at the end of the day, he was the one who carried us the whole way. I know that, because I feel that recently he has been carrying me by his atoning grace. How blessed are we!!
Hope y'all have a very feliz navidad and that you can remember the glorious birth of the Savior even greater at this time. Key word is always remember!
Love yall!
Elder Brett Hansen
No comments:
Post a Comment