9-18-11

HELLO!!

Wow... this week has been one of the most incredible weeks EVERRRR!!!!! Seriously, I have seen so many miracles that I can't even begin to number them! I'll just tell you my favorite, since it happened only yesterday!

So we've started a new tradition, Sister M and I, that every Saturday night at the church we put on a Book of Mormon Movie Night! We watch the super old and cheesy cartoons about the BoM, and then have a cool lesson. This week: Tree of Life. We blindfolded our investigators and had them follow a string that wound across the room by different obstacles. No worries; it was safe! It led to the "Tree of Life" (a fake plastic tree) where we had cupcakes waiting for them! Aaahhhhh.... 'tis sweet indeed!

So anyway, that night we had a member from one of the wards join us. When she came in she said she had just talked to a lady out in the parking lot who wanted to come to our church! Long story short we met her yesterday morning with her son. Her name is Marie and her son's name is Herbie (he's 13!). They are so so sweet and when we gave them a tour of the church before it started Marie turned to us and said "I love it here already" :)

When we showed them the baptismal font she asked "How long do we have to come here before we can get baptized? We want this."  ........ My heart did about a million backflips.. WOW! FILL UP THE FONT! STAT!!

:D They LOVED church, and after Sacrament Meeting all the Young Men (and yes, ALL...there are like 8 total) came up to shy little Herbie and took him to Young Men's. Marie and Herbie loved it!! Marie said she had prayed Saturday night and asked which church she should go to; it had been years. So she got in her car and drove. She said she found herself pulling into our church parking lot, and knew this is where God meant for her to be. The Spirit was so incredibly strong all throughout church. I know that Heavenly Father led them to that place. Simply amazing.

GOLDEN!! Ugh... I love them so much already! Talk about the Lord preparing His people! We are so blessed to have them both!

.......So, I want to paint some pictures in your minds about two people in the scriptures. I won't say who they are right away so you can guess who!

The first was a mighty warrior. He was a great leader, and he led his warriors with great strength. He was charismatic and many longed to follow him. He was dedicated to his cause, and did everything to fulfill his purposes. He never gave up and as he taught, others aspired to be just like him.

Now, the second did nothing to defend himself when the enemy came to his doorstep. He lived among some of the filthiest people and associated himself with sinners. At the moment of his untimely death he simply just gave up. He was left to die all alone in the midst of sinners and murderers.

I bet you all know the first person... The infamous and evil Gadianton, right? Actually, yes. In the Book of Mormon, Gadianton was one of the greatest leaders. I never said he was good, or that his causes were righteous; for they were his own purposes of evil and malice. For generations after his wicked and mighty designs many followed and did aspire to be like him. His followers called themselves the "Gadianton robbers" and did all they could to follow in his footsteps. They sought to be powerful, evil, and successful in getting whatever they wanted.

Now, how about the latter? That second person is Jesus Christ. Read through his description again...it puts a whole new perspective on things, doesn't it?

Satan wants us to believe that evil is "good", and even looks good when put in terms that appeal to us. The adversary wants the world to think that evil is something desirable, even if the charisma masks a robber and murderer. He also wants us to believe that reaching out and living in humility and helping the sinner or the destitute is bad.

Our Savior didn't put up a fight when they sought to kill him. He did live among lepers and people who were sick and afflicted. He lived and associated himself with sinners and taught them of righteousness. He gave up His beautiful and perfect life for us. And as He hung on the cross He had been forsaken of the Father and left alone to die with two sinners at His side.

How I love my Savior, and how I love the beautiful picture this description paints in my mind.

We are so blessed to be members of His true church. Truth has been restored! Please pray for missionary opportunities to share what you know to be true!

I love you all!!

Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah for Israel!

Love, Sister Meg ;)