Each time someone in our Zone has an investigator accept a commitment to a
baptism date, they send out a mass text to all the other companionships in
the Zone and to the President. It always starts with "MIRACLE!"
Truly each moment is a miracle when someone is ready to accept that step to
commiting their love to God by being baptized into His Church. One of our
days this week, we committed two people to baptism. I was able to extend
one of those dates, and it was just amazing the feeling I had while doing
it. To feel that love for that person, and the desire that they will be
willing to accept that commitment to themselves and to God. They now have a
goal to look forward to and they continue to know that we are there every
step of the way to help, guide, and support them. Of course, not all
accepted dates will actually occur, but it is amazing to feel those small
moments of God's love being expressed to our investigators as we share with
them a date we have prayed on and that God has let us know is a time that
they can be ready for baptism if they have the willingness and determination
to continue and improve their knowledge and understanding of Him and His
Gospel.
Not only did we have two "miracle" texts to send out that day, but our
companionship experienced another personal miracle. We are told that each
encounter we will have with a Deaf person is going to be a miracle. It
really is true. We were blessed, while tracting, to run into a woman who
was Deaf. She was on her way to school at the time, so we didn't have a lot
of time to talk with her, but it was a small moment that expressed to us of
how much Heavenly Father is watching out for us. We are here in Boca Raton
to teach these amazing people in English, but when we are willing and
dilligent in our efforts, He will show us little miracles about why He has
chosen to put a companionship of ASL Sisters in an area that many believe
there are no Deaf. The Lord has many plans for us we do not know of. And
He will not share it with us until we ask Him and show Him our willingness
and dilligence to hear and accept and act upon those plans He has in store
for us.
A great thought we as a Zone were given at Zone Conference (which was truly
an amazing experience) was to have at least one of our prayers each day be
dedicated to everything we are thankful for. This isn't something to just
do during the Thanksgiving holiday, but through our lives, have one prayer
that doesn't ask for anything. It is just a time we can express all of our
gratitude to our Heavenly Father. I think it is a truly amazing experience
to really meditate on our day and express in words what it is that we have
been given and express that gratitude to our Father that has given it to us.
Another great experience we had at Zone Conference is when we all gathered
together at the end to kneel in prayer. All of us held the conference in
the chapel, so to kneel together, we spanned the isles and made a half
circle around the seating. It was a powerful experience because it was
something I have never seen before. The more I think about it, there is so
much more power and reverence to a prayer when we kneel. I don't just mean
for personal or family prayer at the beginning and ending of the day, but
when we are in class, together as friends, and those moments where we decide
to kneel instead of just staying seated. Every now and again, when we as a
companionship or apartment decide to stop what we are doing, and take a
moment to kneel together, it creates a greater bond between us, and also
with our Father in Heaven. It just has really touched me this week.
TENDER MERCY: MY TENDER MERCIES HAVE ALREADY BEEN WRITTEN IN THIS EMAIL: TO
MEET WITH A DEAF WOMAN ON THE STREET CORNER, THOSE FEELINGS OF COMMITING ONE
OF GOD'S CHILDREN TO BAPTISM, THE POWER THAT COMES FROM KNEELING TOGETHER IN
PRAYER. ONE WONDERFUL THING ABOUT THANKSGIVING IS HOW IT HELPS ALL PEOPLE
REMEMBER TO REFLECT ON THIS PAST YEAR AND REMEMBER WHAT THEY ARE THANKFUL
FOR. ALL PEOPLE ALL OVER THE NATION ARE EXPRESSING THANKS FOR THE LIFE AND
BLESSINGS THEY HAVE AND GATHERING TOGETHER WITH THEIR FAMILIES. IT IS ONE
TIME THAT OUR NATION COMES CLOSE TO EXPRESSING A JOIN BELIEF. WE CONNECT
TOGETHER WITH THAT REALIZATION OF THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY AND SHOWING
GRATITUDE FOR OUR BLESSINGS IN THIS LIFE. IT'S A GREAT THOUGHT!
‘Make no small plans: They have no magic to stir man’s souls.’ This is the vision I have for the South. I believe that one day the South will baptize more people into the church than all other English speaking missions in the world together. There are great hosts of marvelous Baptists, and members of the church of Christ, Methodists and Catholics who are honorable people, and have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and love him. As they see their church veering off to the right or to the left of these basic teachings, they will begin to search for the truth. And as pivotal teachers come into the church and have influence, we will see the time when we baptize hundreds and thousands, tens of thousands. In your day you will see a million members of the church in the South. There will be Temples plural in the Southern States. What a great call you have to serve with these marvelous people. ~Spencer W Kimball (1974)
