MIRACLES!

Halo everyone!

So this week has been INCREDIBLE. So many posh miracles and funny stories. First off, on Monday we had an appointment with a really awesome potential, Chris. We sat in the Town Centre and talked for a while about the Book of Mormon and how Christ can help us. He is so good! He just kept expressing how he has some free time in his life right now and he has just been looking for ways to better immerse himself in church and religion. Teaching him was a miracle because he had already canceled on us twice. We haven't been able to contact him since, but we are praying that we will. He was so prepared, and we know that the Lord is continuing to work on his heart, and when the timing is right, he will accept the Gospel. :)

We then had a lesson with our recent converts, Geo, Alberto, and Albey!

It was wonderful. They are truly committed to the Gospel and have amazing testimonies. the boys are 18 and 16 and are already preparing for missions. They have Preach My Gospels and White Handbooks and everything. :) We talked to them about Alma 26 and how to be a consecrated missionary, and then we just shared spiritual experiences we have had with the Book of Mormon. The Spirit was SO strong. And then their mom (who isn't a member and hasn't shown any interest) asked her boys to teach her how to pray. She told them that if they wanted to be missionaries, they would need to practice and so she wanted them to teach her how to pray. We were then able to give her a lesson as well and she said she would read the Book of Mormon with them. After, Alberto offered a beautiful prayer and prayed that his mom would continue to have a desire to read and pray. It was truly beautiful. :)

So as everybody knows, Wednesday was also April Fool's day! So, Sister Shigekiyo and I had some fun. ;) First, we had call-ins with Elder Hein, and when he asked out Helder, our baptismal date was, we told him that everything had blown up in our face that day, he didn't want to be baptized, his parents weren't supportive, and that everything was off (when in reality it is quite the opposite) He freaked out! It was really funny! But the pranks only got better....

Next, we called our Zone Leaders. Elder Nielson answered the phone and we chatted for a minute and then Sister Shigekiyo told him that she needed advice. She said that she had been having some problems on her mission and she was feeling like she needed to go home, or talk to President. His voice immediately changed and you could tell he was thinking "Oh no, oh no, oh no" She kept it going was so convincing!! He kept asking if it had started since she was transferred or when it had, etc...then finally she said "Well, I just don't think I can work with Sister Moody" He then got it was a joke after that! (Sister Shigekiyo and I get along SO WELL.) It was so funny!! We also inspired him to prank some district leaders that they were being emergency transferred. :)

But the best one came later...we called the Huntingdon elders, but they didn't answer, so we left a voice mail, sounded concerned, and asked if they could call us back. They never did, so we called back a few minutes later and Elder Jensen cheerfully answered the phone! We put on our most scared voices and asked him if he got out voice mail. He said no, and then we hesitated, he kept telling us to spit it out and finally we wove this story about how we had been biking at night and got lost on a footpath and we had NO idea where we were. He asked of there were any landmarks and we said no, it was dark and cold, and we didn't know. he kept telling us to calm down and not freak out. Finally, (I was crying of laughter, so I had a really good crying voice) I simply said "I don't know! We are lost and I am so afraid and scared" He FREAKED out and said "Okay! Calm down. We are on our way" then we couldn't hold it in and we started laughing. It was SO funny! (They hung up on us) Basically, it was the perfect end to the night. :)

On Friday we participated in this Witness Walk with all the other churches. It was...interesting! We walked from church to church and sang Easter Hymns and read scriptures and had priests giving sermons. It was...different! Haha but it got our name out and let them know that we ARE Christian! And we were able to give out a lot of Because He Lives cards. :)

On Saturday, we had a miracle. We had lesson with our 15 year old investigator, Marinho. Both his brothers were baptized in February, and he dropped off date at the last second. Since then, every time we have mentioned baptism, he avoids the subject or won't tell us what his concerns are. It's been quite a challenge with him. but on Saturday we had a lesson with him. His brothers were there, and so was Geo. We began to talk about L3 and why we invited people to be baptised. He just kept saying "I just don't want to be! I just don't want to be baptised." But wouldn't say why. Finally, Geo directly asked him why and what problems he had with it. Marinho then opened up! He expressed his concerns, but still didn't want to be baptised. We began to tell him about a chapter he could read that would help when Geo pitched in. He looked at him and said "You need to read this. You need to do what the sisters are telling you. Marinho, will you read this chapter and pray about it?" When he answered yes, Geo then told him "Good, I will follow up with you." Geo then was able to continue to bear his testimony and help him. After, Marinho looked up and just said, "I want to be baptized." It was amazing!! He is now on date for the 19th. :)

Also, on Sunday we had a miracle! We went over to Ana's house to watch a session of conference with Geo, Albey, Alberto, Ana, and Marinho! The internet wasn't working and neither was the audio cord for the TV. We tried for 45 minutes with NO success. Then, we decided to pray. Albey offered a humble and sincere prayer, and within 5 minutes, EVERYTHING was working. We were then able to watch it with no glitch or pause the whole time. But the miracle was, that the internet wasn't working for phones, or anything else. Only the video. :)

Well! Sorry this week was so long...I just had a lot to say. :) Conference was amazing!! It is so different as a missionary, but so amazing. The Spirit was strong and the talks were amazing. I am truly grateful for prophets and apostles who lead and guide us in today’s day. I sustain them. :) I know that they are men called of God and that it is truly God who directs His church. I loved Elder Renlund said that "saints are sinners who keep trying." It's so true! As we keep trying our best, all will be well and the Lord will consecrate our efforts. I love you all so much! Thank you for everything. :)

-Sister Moody