This past week has been a humbling and incredible week full of blessings and miracles. We received a referral from church headquarters to deliver a Book of Mormon to an interested woman who lives in Alpine. We tried to call her and set up an appointment, but she didn't answer, so we left a message. We tried to go by to knock on her door to meet her, but her home has a gate. All through this process I still had a positive feeling about it and kept praying that we would be able to meet her. Yesterday afternoon we received a phone call from our contact, Teresa, who apologized for not answering her phone as she was on vacation (a stay-cation) and invited us over that night. During that phone call and meeting with her and getting to know her, she came to find out and learn about the church through a grade school friend, whom she had not talked to in 45 years. She found this friend through friend finder and her friend shared the gospel with her because she remembers from back in elementary that this friend was and still is LDS and she remembered having a good feeling being with her and her family, and that her family was so happy and loving. This friend sent her the Ensign and some other information and a pass along card to call and get a copy of the Book of Mormon (this is where we come in). So we went over and she had a list of questions for us (which is always a good thing as a missionary-and as we were taught in general conference, it's better for them to ask than for us to tell). When we got there, she was on the phone with her friend who shared the gospel with her and her friend had answered almost all of her questions, so we were able to clarify and answer some more of her questions. She accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon and we introduced it and testified of its divine origin and of the promise that it contains. She is a very kind and wonderful woman who is seeking truth and has a true desire and most definitely has real intent. That's not all, we also contacted another man who lives in the back country part of our area and his name is Steve, he has a girlfriend who is LDS and expressed to him that she does not want to get married unless it's forever, and our answer to that was "well we can certainly help with that", we explained how families can be together forever through the covenants made with God and the blessings of this gospel, he also accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon and when we invited him to read the first chapter of 1 Nephi his response was "Oh I’ll read the whole thing". My main point in this is that this week has been full of blessings and miracles and wonderful amazing people and that the Lord truly does and is preparing His children to accept His gospel and it must be taught in such a way that applies to them, in essence and as is a big part of what we learn is to "teach people, and not lessons". As Elder Holland said "something in what they say will always highlight a gospel truth of which we can bear record and then offer more. . . if we listen with love, we won't need to wonder what to say, it will be given us by the spirit, and by our friends." This statement is so very true, by listening with spiritual ears we are able to highlight gospel truths in what our friends, our brothers and sisters, our fellow children are saying to us. That's not to say we enter into someone's home completely unprepared because that is not how the spirit works, we must treasure up in our minds continually the words of life, and seek to obtain His word before we declare it. when we've done our part and studied and planned and prepared, the spirit can work within us and give us that portion that shall be meted unto every man, in the very hour that it is needed, I would almost go so far as to say in the very second that it is needed. This is possible through the Holy Ghost, through diligent study, and what a wonderful gift the Holy Ghost is in each of our lives which we are able to have because of the restoration of the priesthood authority through Joseph Smith. I know that this gospel is true, that when the spirit enters into hearts, hearts are changed. Of this I bear my witness. This week has been filled with many mighty miracles, and along with that, many small miracles as well, that take place all around me, every second of every day, which brings me to my TOTW found in Ether 3:5 and it says "we know that thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men"- that sometimes, many times the greatest blessings that the Lord has prepared for us, come in small packages, and though they seem small, they are the most significant blessings we can receive. Let us each take time this next week to ponder upon this scripture and to "count our many blessings" for they truly are many, great and small, I know that He lives and loves each and every one of us and places these many blessings in our lives each and every day. This gospel is true, people all around us are being prepared to receive this gospel into their lives, let us also pray to be aware of these individuals and to recognize and to take the time, as Teresa's friend, to share. By small and simple things are great things brought to pass. Know of my love for each and every one of you and I hope that you continue to have a wonderful week. I continue to keep you in my prayers.
Love,
Elder Aaron Jordan Lloyd
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