Hi Mom!
Guess what… God is Real! Also this was an amazing week so buckle up and prepare for a long one!
This last week has been so awesome spiritually. I have finished reading 3 Nephi and I can safely say I love Jesus Christ. He his so awesome. Anyway One of my goals for this transfer is to finish the Book of Mormon. So that next transfer I can start reading with a question in mind. Which is something Elder Bednar had suggested a while back so I think I will try it.
Anywho, time for a super cool 😇SPIRITUAL MOMENT😇 So, Elder Shaw and I are having a gospel conversation with a couple of Calvinists. We are wrapping up the discussion and they bring up a thing that had shocked them about what we believe and it was found in Daniel 7. So Elder Shaw and I race home after the lesson and we dive right into the chapter. We said a prayer, (which was is a crucial part of this whole experience!) and started reading. We get to verse 9 that says;
“I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.”
Now we had been reading every other verse outloud and Elder Shaw read this verse. As he read, he just kinda stopped (after “Ancient of Days”) as if he was hearing something then continued but stopped again in the same manner. After finishing, I too read that same verse and the spirit hit me so hard (in the same places) that I actually couldn’t speak. The whole experience brought me to tears and I wasn’t able to finish the verse. The best way for me to explain what I was experiencing can be found in 3 Nephi 11:3 which says;
“…it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and notwithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center, insomuch that there was no part of their frame that it did not cause to quake; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn”
I felt this very feeling. The Holy Ghost was piercing. He was quick and fleeting but he left my heart burning. Now I know this was the Spirit because Elder Shaw felt the EXACT same thing. You want to know how else I knew? What did we do before we started reading? WE PRAYED! I have learned so much about prayer while being on a mission. And one thing is for sure, when you pray you are opening that door to allow God to really speak to you. When you open up that door of communication, especially when you are studying, God will speak to you. So that is how I know without a doubt that the Spirit spoke to us. I still have no idea what he was trying to say. But I KNOW he said something.
Anyway! Aside from the most real thing I have ever witnessed that God is real. I also felt the pure love of Christ as I was helping people! This week we had two service projects that turned into gospel lessons. We have some confidence that we will have successful return appointments with them both. It will just take some patience and a ton of prayers! One of the service projects was actually a reunion with a lady who we bought four dinning chairs from last transfer. Her and her family are some of the most Christ like people I have ever met. Our gospel conversation got a little dicey but it turned out alright. We would like to reconnect with them soon!
So ya, we showed up to our district activity early and we didn’t want to wait in the car. So we got onto the roof again 😂. Also Elder shaw likes hopping things. And I was able to get another photo in front of a Church sign!
Till next time,
Elder Service
