Tender Mercies

Dear Family & Friends:

 

1 Nephi 1:20 says "I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith" Not only are the scriptures full of tender mercies from the Lord, but each of us experience so many tender mercies each day!  The Lord truly loves you and each of His children.

 

With that being said this past week had lots of tender mercies, so I will mention a few!

 

One of the members of our ward that we met with this past week (by the way she has a cat that looks like garfield, not even kidding) told us how she gained her testimony of the Book of Mormon, and it has been really neat to hear from lots of different people how they each gained their testimony of the Book of Mormon.  And the thing that is so neat is that each person gained his or her testimony a different way.  The Holy Ghost bore record of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon in the way that he or she needed. 

 

So on Monday we got a text from Jackie saying that she had questions about the part of the Book of Mormon and that she was excited to see us on Wednesday!  So she was the one who set up the appointment!  We brought Sister Simons (member in our ward) with us to the appointment.  Each time that I have a member come to a lesson with us I am reminded at how much better the lessons go!  Anyways,  Jackie had read all the way to 1 Nephi 10 and she said that 1 Nephi 8 really spoke to her, so much so that she read it twice!  And the questions she had were amazing as well which went to show how well she comprehended as she was reading!  She had said that when she was reading the Book of Mormon she had been on the couch and her little brother was playing video games, but as she was reading she didn't hear anything!  We were able to teach the Plan of Salvation to her!  The only little hurdle we have is that in a week and a half she is going up to stay with her aunt who is having surgery in Minnesota, but Jackie mentioned something about having the missionaries in Minnesota come meet with her as she is in Minnesota!!

 

Thursday our training in District Meeting was how to effectively use the Book of Mormon in our teaching, and so we had a role play where we could practice the things we were taught.  During the role play I was thinking about one of the less actives (due to health reasons) we were going to go visit that evening and I started reading 1 Nephi 2 which is where Lehi's family heads into the wilderness, and everything in that chapter seemed to go along perfectly with things that have happened in Maryann's life.  Anyways, after district meeting I was way excited and so I told Sister Brown the connection between 1 Nephi 2 and Maryann.  That evening we went and visited Maryann and read the chapter with her and the spirit was so strong!  She absolutely loved that chapter and she has a friend that was coming over the following evening, who she has been sharing the gospel with, but who is still hesitant about the Book of Mormon.  Maryann was so excited because she was going to share the parallels between her life and Lehi's family with her friend!

 

Saturday evening we felt like we should go and visit Lea (member in our ward),  and as we got to her place she was cleaning her carpet and said that she was moving the following day.  I'm sad to see her leave, but am thankful that we were able to see her before she moved.


Sister Call & Lea

 Sunday,  Stella and Francis as well as another less active couple came!  I cannot even begin to describe the feelings of joy that come when someone have been working with and that you care about comes to church!  I'm pretty sure I had a smile on the entire day!  Since it was testimony meeting Stella got up and introduced herself during Sacrament meeting, and after Sacrament meeting she said "Sister Call I have more to my testimony than what I shared."  I smiled and said "Yes Stella you do.  I have heard you share it before!"  One of the strong members from the African community, Dementary,  went up to them after Sacrament meeting and showed them the way to the Gospel Principles class, and then took Francis to Priesthood meeting.  Stella said that she was back for good and will be coming to church each week.  And the Elder Anderson said that in Priesthood meeting Francis said that he wants to be a part of this congregation and he plans on coming each Sunday here on out! 

 

The Lord truly is merciful and I am so grateful for the opportunity to help others strengthen their relationship with their Father in Heaven and to find true joy and happiness in their lives!

 

Love, Sister Call