The Blessing- Week 95

I stand all amazed, I marvel, and I think of the One that this is all about. I am in awe always when I look at the power, glory, Spirit, splendor and miracles of this work that He is is directing, upholding, and flourishing. It was such a spiritual week for me as I was able to participate in four of the most spiritual and emboldening lessons I have ever been apart of. I know with a certainty that the Spirit is the ultimate teacher and that the work of man cannot and will not frustrate the work of the Lord, meaning, even when I say something wrong, the Spirit changes the things I say from the time it leaves my mouth to the time they hear it to the very exact thing they need to hear, know, and feel. I've seen it and I've felt it.

Ashante:

Monday-We visited with her and talked a little bit about what we do and we aligned visions about what we expect and what she expects out of being able to visit together and just had great conversation with her.

Wednesday-We went over to her apartment with out Elders Quorum President and had a wonderful lesson with her about the Book of Mormon and the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and she was just soaking it all up. She has so many pure and true foundational beliefs that align perfectly with the doctrine of the scriptures and the Church and was so excited to have a Book of Mormon and to read 2 Nephi 31.

Sunday-She came to church with us yesterday and absolutely loved it. She was participating in everything and kept commenting about how much she was enjoying being there and how much she enjoyed all of the people and everything that was talked about and the whole nine yards. She even read 2 Nephi 31 between our visit and church yesterday. We fully expect her to make great strides in the gospel and is progressing so quickly to baptism it's remarkable!

Hannah and Landon:

Since last week we taught Hannah three times and had the most spiritual and inspirational visits in every single instance.

Monday- (Restoration at Landon's apartment)

Tuesday- (Plan of Salvation at Landon's apartment)

Friday- High hopes and good news! Hannah flew into Chicago for two job interviews since she just graduated college and she did incredible and got both of those offers which we were thrilled with and was an answer to her's and our own prayers but the icing on the cake will be when she finds out this week if she got a job in Edmond for another interview she had. We are confident she will get the job and will then have the option to stick around here if that's what she chooses to do.

Sunday- (Gospel of Jesus Christ at the temple)

As they talked about the potential for eternal families (her absolute favorite) it sparked a lot of questions about the temple. We had our lesson last night with her on the front steps at the temple. I wish I could express to you guys the spirit that was there, and the joy that we felt. I have seen some amazing miracles on my mission, but as the subject says, it just keeps getting better. I just keep getting happier. These people just keep moving forward. We taught The Gospel of Jesus Christ and along with teaching faith and repentance, the natural course was to teach about the sacred step of baptism. Hannah is the most sincere, and humble and contrite person. When we invited her to follow the example of Christ and be baptized she was SILENT for at least 20 seconds but felt like 9 years.. She then gave the most genuine and sincere "yes" that I have ever heard. The light switch entrance of the spirit doesn't happen too often. We are taught that more often than not it's like a sunrise. We got the light switch!! She has studied over half of The Book of Mormon already, and as any truth-seeker does, she knows that it's true with everything that she has. We never wanted to leave, but the most incredible part is to know that we aren't the source of her conversion. She told us last night that she never planned on a second lesson. She never planned on coming back to church. She sure didn't plan on accepting an invitation to be baptized. The way the Spirit works in her and the way she allows it to touch her is such a rare and special occurrence and experience. She is needed. I don't know why. I don't know what God has in store for her, but he has softened her heart. We have a great relationship with Hannah and Landon but that's not where her faith lies. She is moving back down to Dallas for the time being this Tuesday. Wherever she gets hired will depend on if we continue to see her progress, or if it's in Dallas, or Chicago. I have every bit of faith that she has truly "Felt to sing the song of redeeming love". Wherever she ends up is where her progress will take place but one thing is certain and that is that she will continue to progress and thrive in the gospel.

Keep the faith,

Elder Ricks