Miracles From Chastening

Hello everyone! That's right! It's time for another email from good ol Refugio. BUT! It is the last week of the transfer! And so next week I could totally be in a different place, but for now let's see what went down this week.

So late sunday night we received a text from the AP's and we were going to have a Zone Council which doesn't exist, but then they sent us a talk from Elder Cristofferson about being chastened from the Lord, because that's exactly what happened. So, we had a tough Zone Council where President basically absolutely grilled us for 2 hours about all the struggles we are having in the mission. But I don't want to talk about the chastening, and more about the promise he gave us.

He promised us that the miracles would multiply and double and we would be able to see the hand of the Lord in His work more abundantly, and see more children of God make covenants with Him.

So we went to work immediately afterwards and had a lesson with Monica. It turns out that Monica was baptized in the church when she was young. So we are teaching her all the doctrine and her 8 year old daughter about the gospel, and suddenly in the middle of the lesson she told us that her neighbor wanted to learn about the gospel too! And so we dropped everything and knocked on their door and they immediately accepted us inside and we taught them a lesson, as if they were waiting for us!! BOOM! A miracle with a family of 5!

We also had another miracle with the baptism of the Bravo-Luna family! This family of 4 is so sweet and were so ready for baptism, but they had a big problem for time. The dad works all day, the kids go to school in the morning, and the mom works in the afternoon and night and so it was basically impossible for them to find time. And we were pondering what to do, when as a companionship we read the story of the brother of Jared. When the brother of Jared needed light for his boats HE DID NOT just ask the Lord to bless them with light. He did not do that. Instead, he gathered stones, went to a mountain, and prayed and asked for the Lord to touch them and give him light. That is what true faith is. Do everything possible in your power, and Jesus Christ will do only what he can do. 

So we did something similar. We made the invitation, made a program, got all the baptismal clothing,and  scheduled the baptism and interviews all without them knowing about it! And then we prayed and asked for a miracle to help them resolve the schedules. And so on Thursday we went over to their house and it was as if they were waiting for us too! So we explained the situation, and the dad told us that for some unknown reason the dad's boss messed up the scheduling for his work, and gave him the day off on Saturday! BOOM! Another grand miracle and they were able to make this covenant with God.

We also had the baptism of Oscar! He is such a nice guy, and has such a desire to please God and serve him. He didn't really grow up in the best of circumstances, and so he hasn't had a lot of support and love in his life. But, that all changed when he went to church for the first time. He felt like he had a family here. It was a refuge for him as well. He fell in love with sacrament meeting and hearing all of the talks, and feeling of the spirit and of God's love. He got baptized on Saturday and his mom is on date for a few more weeks as well!

I invite you all to read Ether 2 and 3 and learn from the Story of Jared. He was chastised for 3 hours from the Lord, but he responded positively and he was blessed for his faith. And he was able to see miracles along the way. Also, I love 2nd Nephi 27:23:

23 For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith.

Faith is so much more than believing that Christ existed or that he lives. Yes, it is very important, but it is more. It is action. Faith is a blind belief and constant effort to receive the promised blessings from the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a hope for a better world, for you and for your situation. And if we have faith, which means we do everything possible and Jesus Christ will help us do that only He can do. And we will see miracles. That is His promise. We just need that constant effort.

Well, that's it for today. I hope that you all have an amazing week filled with miracles. I love you all and talk to you next week!!