This week has definitely been a week of miracles! Sister Fuimaono and myself took on the Alma 32 challenge to see what "fruit" we could grow this week...and yep, definitely didn't have "room enough to receive it!"
Let's talk about it. So late last week we got a phone message from this dear girl who had been coming to Church with a member friend. She exclaimed in the message that she knew it was weird that she was calling but thought she should see about meeting with us to learn more about the Church. Of course being on the receiving end of this message, it was like music to our ears. What an opportunity she was "twisting our arms" to partake. So we set up an appointment for early Sunday morning before church.
Flash forward to that Sunday, we had an amazing first meeting with her where she came equipped with questions that absolutely showed that she had been thinking about meeting with us for a while. It soon became evident that she has been preparing herself to a possible commitment of baptism but was afraid because of the negative feedback she had been experiencing from family and friends. After meeting with her though, she agreed that this was something she really wanted to invest the time in learning about because she just couldn't deny the way she was feeling. It was such a opportunity to teach someone who really was wanting to know if all that was promised in scripture was true.
So we ushered her and her friend to Sacrament meeting where we knew our recent convert Danilda would be speaking. And what an event that was! Hands down the best meeting I have ever attended! Let me explain a bit. So beautiful feisty Danilda gets up to the pulpit swinging her hair and preparing everyone for her conversion story: "Brothers and sisters, please excuse me. This is my first talk in English so if my sentences dont make sense, just wait for the next one and maybe it will." Of course everyone is relaxed and even laughing at this point. She continues: "So, I grew up Catholic and always have been trying to find God. I have had my bouts with other religions searching for a place where I knew God knew me and accepted me for who I was as well as where I knew He would want me to be. About 7 months ago two cute little guys knocked on my door. I guess they were looking for some other guy named Ramon or something but as I told them they had the wrong house they asked if they could teach me about the Gospel. I was flattered and immediately invited them in...two cute little Mormon boys, of course! So as they began to enter they then asked if I was alone, where I of course I said yes. They then exclaimed they needed a 3rd person to be there for them to teach me. I was shocked! Two guys couldn't handle me?! I need three!?"
As she went on she explained: "...they kept inviting people over to my house where I could incorporate myself into their life, but little did I know they were inviting me into theirs." It was such a great talk, where she was so excited that she lost her marker in her scriptures and lost what she wanted to share. No fuss though because the concluding speaker referenced the following. "In Alma 19 a woman named Abish..." where Danilda immediately runs over to where Sister Fuimaono and myself were sitting. She, in amazement exclaimed "That is what I wanted to read to everyone! This is amazing!" As she made her way back to her seat she began telling everyone around her.
What a great experience...but Im not done. As soon as Toby said "and I say these things..." Danilda jumps up in the middle of the congregation and yells raising her hand, "I have something to say!" As Brother Brien from the bishopric encourages her to come forward she resistantly does as she explains herself: "I prayed to God this morning to help me find something to read to you people today, and guess what it was?! Alma 19! And the crazy part is, Toby was not in my bed this morning so it had to be the esSpirit! It this is not the true church than I dont know what is!"
It was an awesome to say the least. The Spirit was there, we had comic relief and investigators in the congregation, many of whom are struggling to see that conversion is a real thing that happens everyday, haha! It was great. Brother Brien closed with, "My wife who's pregnant with a baby girl, and I were laying in bed this morning and to my surprise Toby was not in our bed either, but Abish Brien, I dont know that might have to be the name. What a day of miracles, lets close this meeting!"
What a great day Sunday was! What a week of miracles it has been. Our investigator met with us last night in a followup appointment where she left in tears knowing that the Lord has a plan for her that can help her feel the joy that is intended in life! Unfortunately Im out of time now, but I am so greatful for the people we meet each day and also having an influence in their life. I love each and every one of you, sorry for the novel but you know I couldnt let you go without sharing this story! Love you love you! Have a great week!
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