Hello, world! The subject line is true! As missionaries, we have to take a Vitamin D pill a day because of the lack of sunlight that we see in the winter. HOWEVER, this past week has been pretty sunny, and for an Arizona girl, it's been pretty nice. I'm not used to seeing the sun and being absolutely blinded by it. But no worries, I pulled out the sun glasses (didn't think I would need to do that in January...).
Sister Men and I had some great experiences this week, all of which has only strengthened my testimony of our loving Heavenly Father who only wants to help and bless us. Since I've been on my mission, my eyes have been opened to seeing the Lord's hand more in my daily life. It's amazing! Heavenly Father truly is so involved in our life, ready to shower us with blessings as we live righteous lives.
This past week, Sister Men and I have seen many miracles, and whether they are big or small, they are still miracles!
1. We are currently teaching an older man who recently lost his wife this past year. I can't imagine the things he has been going through and we've been trying to work with him to read in the Book of Mormon. I know that I can't relate to him because I have not yet lost a loved one, but I know that the Book of Mormon teaches about Jesus Christ and His sacrifice. I know that Jesus Christ knows how he feels because he suffered all things. And this past week...he finally read in the Book of Mormon! It was amazing! He said that even though he doesn't understand the scriptural language most of the time, he was able to comprehend most of the chapter and that he felt good and he read it! The smallest miracles make the world of difference!
2. We taught the Word of Wisdom this week to our most progressing family- the parents both struggling to live that commandment. They both want to be free of their addictions and they have faith that they can do so, but it's just so hard to break a habit! This past weekend we visited them again, but also brought with us 2 men in our ward who hold the priesthood. They gave them both priesthood blessings that night and it helped them SO much! They have a long road ahead of them of being free of the addictions that they have had in their lives for so long, but I know that they can overcome their addictions as they rely on Jesus Christ and the power of His Atonement. Jesus Christ overcame all, and He can give us the power that we need to overcome our individual challenges.
I am so thankful for the priesthood power of God that we have on this earth. I know that what is said during the blessing is direct communication from our Father in Heaven through the priesthood holder. I have received so much peace and strength from the priesthood blessings I have received in the past, and I'm so thankful that they decided to receive blessings so that they can begin living the word of wisdom!
3. Sariah came to church! She is an 11-year-old girl and we are currently trying to teach her whole family, but it's been really hard to keep in contact with them. Sariah really wants to be baptized and really wants to come to church and it's been difficult to rely on her parents to come to church.
So what do we do? We get a member in the ward to pick her up and bring her themselves. And she loved it!!
4. The Lord knows where we need to be and when we need to be there.
We have had a good number of empty days with no specific lessons. Much of that time can be spent contacting people who have shown interest recently, or people who used to be taught in the past, but there are only so many people on those lists!
It makes me nervous when we have those empty slots because I don't know where Heavenly Father needs us to be, but I've learned that being nervous and fearful of those big blocks of time is not exercising my faith.
Faith is knowing that the Spirit will direct my companion and I to where we need to go, or who we need to visit. We are here in Oregon doing the Lord's work in helping others to come to Christ, so He will help us in doing His work! He promises to guide and assist us as we live worthy of the Holy Ghost and live righteously. And the more pure desires we have and actions we make, the more we will feel the guidance of the Spirit in our lives. And I know that to be true, because I have experienced it!
5. And there are so many more miracles all throughout the days and weeks that I can't even begin to type...because I just don't have the time to!
I hope you all are doing well and are continuing to grow your faith in God! I love the analogy in Alma 32 where it compares faith to a seed. If we plant a seed, we can't expect it to grow unless we water it and give it sunlight. When it begins to grow, we can't stop watering it or hide it in a closet- it will whither away and die!
So we must continue to grow our faith in Jesus Christ. I love how faith is described as an ACTION word...it is SO much more than just believing in something that you don't have perfect knowledge of, or something you can't see. Faith is built as we read the scriptures, as we pray to Heavenly Father, and as we go to church. Learning more about our Savior increases our faith in Him and His ability to help us in any circumstance. I think it's amazing that because Jesus Christ suffered and died for each and every one of us, He is able to relate to us. We can't say, "no one knows how I feel"...because Jesus Christ went far below the lowest of lows...so He knows EXACTLY what we go through. With that knowledge, I am given comfort and strength, because I know that He will help me to endure through any challenge I may go through.
I love this gospel and the wonderful peace it gives to me. I know that as we continue to pray and seek for guidance, He will give it to us. That's because we are His children...and He wants to help us! What a magnificent blessing it is!
I love you all and I hope you all have a wonderful week! Keep praying and working hard! Read in the Book of Mormon...and never forget that you are a child of God!
All my love,
Sister McCown
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