Letter #63: "Working mighty miracles...according to their faith"

I am continuing to learn a lot about FAITH! I was reading in 2 Nephi 26:13 which says, "And he manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost; yea, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, working mighty miracles, signs, and wonders, among the children of men according to their faith." I know that as we exercise faith in Christ, we DO see miracles...many miracles! But my recent experiences with faith have helped me understand that in order to see miracles, we need to exercise true faith in Christ, which is understanding that He knows all things better than we do and thus we need to be willing to submit to His will. So this week, in my prayers I have really been trying to show the Lord that I am willing to do what He wants. I pour out my heart for those things that I want and for those miracles that I need to happen, telling the Lord that I know He can accomplish these things in my life. But then I also tell Him that even though I know He has the power to accomplish these things, that I am willing to submit to His will...even if that means these things don't happen.

And as I have started doing this, we have seen SO many miracles! At the beginning of the week we really weren't teaching anyone. However, as I've relied on God I have been able to start being more in-tune with His timing. We have seen so many miracles as we've been exactly where we needed to be this week. By the end of the week, we had a teaching pool full of investigators who have a lot of potential. The biggest miracle happened on Thursday. We went to teach this kid Mchael that hadn't seemed very solid when I'd met him the day before on exchange (he'd been high, for one thing) but I just felt like we should still go back to see him anyways. So we did, and he was sitting out on his porch. We sat down and we'd literally been sitting there for 10 seconds when I look up and through the bushes I see these people. I thought, "Hmm...wow, that looks like Andrea and her sons....oh my goodnes...it IS!" I jump up and run over to them, calling out her name, and it was THEM! It was the Spanish family that I taught in Wellington that I love so much! I couldn't believe it. Neither could they! They were so happy to see me. We worked so hard with that family, but in the end they weren't willing to get married and so they couldn't get baptized. It was so heartbreaking to watch them fall apart....Andrea was really struggling right before I left the area. I wanted so BAD for this little family to join the church. When I met them, I felt very strongly that they were the reason I'd felt inspired to learn Spanish on my mission. I was so sad when things didn't work out. But then, because God is amazing, here we all were in the heart of Miami, 2 hours away from Wellington, on a random street corner I'd never even been to before! And I knew that WITHOUT A DOUBT in that moment that God lives, He loves us, and He is involved in every detail of our lives. I know this is His work. It is so real! I was in tears and so was Andrea. The boys were thrilled that I was there. I know that God wants them baptized and members of His church! And it is so cool to me to see how he has been able to use me as an instrument in His hands to bless their lives. Just think of all the little details that led to us meeting up that night! And....even more amazing....one of the elders who works in their area knows them because he was with me in Wellington! He was only up there for one transfer, but there is yet ANOTHER detail arranged by God. My heart was so full that night. I know this is His work, and I truly love it.

 

In other words, things are going really well. I made some New Year's Resolutions this week and broke them down by time period...for example, the next 2 months, the next 3 months after that, and "By December." I honestly have no idea what this year has in store for me, but I am excited to trust God, to do what He wants me to, and to see what happens! And of course...I am excited to NEVER STOP SERVING, even after I go home. :)

 

Feliz ano nuevo!

 

Sister Dougal