You will never believe what has
happened this past week. I cannot believe how much the Lord has blessed
us. I can truly see the miracles now more than ever and I will never be
able to deny them. I can't believe that I have been out for 4 months now,
and my first transfer in the field is coming to a close. I think of how
much more lies ahead for me in my mission. I have 14 more months of
experiences waiting for me, but I don't know how my joy could be more full than
it was this week.
Monday after P-day we were preparing
to go to FHE at a member's house when we received a call from our investigator
that I told you about last week. After receiving a strong witness as to
the necessity of baptism, she again rejected it and her heart was closing and
hardening against the good word of God. We were still feeling discouraged
about her and worried about how we could help her progress more towards baptism
when it seemed like we were losing ground quickly to Satan. We fasted
that weekend for a miracle. We know what we felt, and that was to get her
baptized. We knew that we needed to keep doing what we were doing and
help her get to the font. There was no turning back now. We
couldn't imagine going back to the types of lessons we had with her before, but
we didn't know how to keep going. We were afraid of pushing her too hard
and consequently just hardening her heart even more. But we knew what God
wanted us to do, and we were determined to do it. During that time of
fasting, I changed my prayers. Instead of asking for her to get baptized
(she has her own free will), I started praying for a way for us to meet our
baptismal goal this month. Oh, family, how the Lord has answered our
prayers.
So she called us and asked us where
we were and if we could come see her right then. We couldn't because
members were driving us to FHE and were about to be at the church to pick us
up. She said she had something to tell us. She asked if we knew
what she was trying to say - we had an idea, but hearing her say it
herself was so much better. She told us that she wanted to be baptized...on
Thursday! We couldn't believe it. The change in her was a miracle.
She said she was talking to her member friend and she just felt good
about it. She prayed and the good feeling continued. She made her
decision, and everything just cleared up for her. Her life was unclear
and difficult because she wasn't making the decision about baptism! She
called US because she wanted to get baptized. IN 3 DAYS.
After we hung up, we couldn't believe what just happened. Our
prayers were more than answered, we witnessed a miracle. A true and
living miracle. Her heart was softened by the Spirit of the Lord, and she
made the decision herself, not because we forced her to do it, but because
finally she desired it enough to follow through with it. Everything came
together for the baptism and it was a wonderful small ceremony. She
wasn't nervous at all. She felt so happy and just at peace - another
confirmation to all of us that this is exactly what needed to happen, and it
was all in the Lord's timing. Even when she stepped into the font, into
the freezing cold water, she had a smile on her face and she went through with
it. Even when she had to bear her testimony (something we were afraid she
wouldn't feel comfortable doing) she told me that she wasn't afraid. That
she didn't even write anything down because she knew the Lord would lead her to
say what she needed to. She knew the Lord would help her and she
displayed such immense and complete trust and faith in Him.
This weekend as I watched
conference, I had a question on my mind "How can I know that I am doing
all I can do as a missionary?". It was answered throughout all of
conference, Saturday in particular. I kept getting the feeling that
there's always more I can do. That's what our life is all about -
repenting and trying to be better each and every day. It is about trying
our hardest to endure and be the person God would have us be by following the
Savior's perfect example. But at the same time, I also felt that my
Heavenly Father is proud of the work I do each and every day. I can't
make people get baptized, but I myself can be spiritually prepared to help them
on the path to eternal life. And in Elder Holland's talk, I realized that
being a good missionary isn't about working so hard that I forget to take care
of myself. Yes, I desire to lose myself in the work, but I shouldn't lose
the joy in the work at the same time. I need to dedicate my whole self to
the Lord - all I have to give Him is my agency. He will provide the rest
if I am but willing to submit to His will. I feel like there are so many
pressures in this work, but I have come to realize that those pressures are
from man and Satan, not from God. I know what the Lord requires of me,
and that is my sincere desire and efforts to dedicate my whole self to Him.
I can be sure I am doing all I can when I know I am meeting God's
standards. I realized more than ever this conference weekend that God's
ways are not our ways and God's thoughts are not our thoughts. His ways
are higher and when we trust in Him we cannot fail. He will not give us a
commandment without a way to bring it to pass. He would not tell me to
love my neighbor if He did not have love to give to them through me. He
would not ask me to be patient if He Himself were not the most patient Supreme
Being. Ultimately I realized that as I strive to be better each day, I
will learn to be more like the Savior and He will be my guide and my rock.
He will give me the things that I need to accomplish His work. When
I have no strength to offer, He gives me His. When I feel like I can't go
on, He provides the love and tender mercies that encourage me. When I
feel like I'm physically not able to love the people enough to serve them well,
He gives me His perfect love to impart to all those that I meet each day. He
will go before me and His angels will be around me to bear me up. I need
not be afraid if people don't accept my message, because when I give my all to
Him, He will make up the rest that I cannot do on my own. He knows my
weaknesses, and does not judge them the same as our unwillingness. He is
merciful and understanding to all. He suffered on the cross so that I
never have to be alone in this Work of Salvation. To think so would be
contrary to the designs of God. I know that my Heavenly Father is so so
much in this work. I know that miracles exist, if only we have the eyes
of faith to see them. I know that God talks to us, knows us, and loves us
and there's nothing more that I could ask of Him. Believe in miracles.
Believe that He can do all things for the children of men. If we
dedicate ourselves to Him, how blessed we will be!
I love you all so much,
Sister Norrell
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