God's Blessings are Sure and His Love is Real: A Parting Testimony

From Natalie Willes

Recently returned from teaching in Arizona

It has been the best, craziest, most fulfilling 18 months of my life. After 11 companions, and 5 areas later, I've come to know some of the most amazing people in the world. I am so grateful to those who have changed my life. I love Arizona, Mesa is a great place with many different characters in it. I think the main thing that I am grateful for, is the testimony that I've been able to gain. I've always had a testimony of some sort since I was a little kid. Over time it has been strengthened and built by experiences that cross my path, but in the last year and a half, it's grown immensely.

I know even better now that I have a Savior, who is my best friend. I always knew He loved me, but now I've gained the knowledge about why He does. He died to overcome the two things that would keep me from returning to live with God:  Sin and death. He suffered for me in the Garden of Gethsemane and sweat drops of blood just for you and I. He knows us personally. He heals us if we allow him to and because of this love we will never ever be left alone. I've come to the realization that it is so easy for us to forget this relationship we have with Christ. He doesn't wait for us to run half of a race before he shows his love, he is running the race along side us cheering us on every step of the way. He will buoy us up and pick us up if needs be to help us cross the finish line. Where is the finish line you may ask? Well, eternal life, living with our Father in Heaven. That's the goal, and because Christ died and suffered for us we can get there. One of my favorite scriptures of all time is found in the Book of Mormon, in 3 Nephi 9:13-14 which says " Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?" "Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me." I know this to be true.

I know that God has a plan for us. He sent us here and provides us the means for joy and happiness in this life through our families. We are a part of His, and the main goal in this life is for us to return to
live with him, and our families forever. We learn of this plan through prophets. I know that he has again called prophets in our day. I know that Joseph smith was called to restore the fullness of the gospel to the earth and that because of his faithfulness, we again have the Book of Mormon. I know without a shadow of a doubt that the Book of Mormon is true. It has blessed my life and the lives of those I've had the privilege to teach.

My vision for life is quite simple. I promised God that I would be a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ. My purpose is to come unto Christ, and I'll continue helping others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and most importantly, enduring to the end. President Monson once said "Our purpose is to steer an undeviating course towards our desired goal- even the celestial kingdom of God." and that is my goal. I want to return to live with my Heavenly Father. There lies happiness, joy and everlasting life. I can always be with my family there, and there is no other place I would rather be. I will keep doing the little things God asks me to do, and in turn it will be easier to keep doing the big things that God requires of me. I'll fulfill my roles in callings, in church, or at home. I'll keep the temple in my sights, and Christ in my daily action. I'll serve those around me like Christ would, and I'll smile everyday and laugh and enjoy life's ups and downs. God's blessings are sure, and His love is real. I will always trust Him with all my heart.

Miracles in Arizona

From Natalie Willes

Teaching in Arizona

This week we ran into an 81 year old man named David! He was a stubborn but kind old man who believes the bible is the only true thing, and that it is his religion. Interesting, but we talked with him for a while and a little boy came up the stairs right behind us and starting deliberately yelling and making noise in our direction, but we ignored them. They were just little kids, probably no older than 5-7 years old but they didn't have any supervision. So they kept at it and eventually while we were talking, they collected rocks. They than proceeded to start throwing them at us. I heard a few clink on the ground beside me, and even heard the boy say "Ah I missed!" But he could not hit me. No matter how many times he threw and aimed, he could not hit me or my companion. I felt a bit like Samuel the Lamanite! David looked very upset when one came close to hitting me in the head by a mere two inches, but it didn't hit me and instead hit his foot because of the angle it was thrown . He chided the boy telling him to return home and that he'd be having a word with his father. It was a very unexpected experience.
We also had story time this Friday. I was asked to narrate the story of the brother of Jared. I hadn't narrated for little kids in a while, So the first time we went through a practice, it was a rough go, but when we actually were about to do the skit, I prayed to Heavenly Father and asked for the words to say that would touch these precious kids hearts. And the words came. I didn't even need the papers I was holding in my hands that would simplify e story. The words were mostly smooth, not perfect, but they came. So that was a miracle.

It Was No Coincidence!

Natalie Willes

Teaching in Arizona 

About a week ago I clicked on a referral for someone named Lawrence who wanted to meet with the
missionaries on Mormon.org. I gave him a call, and he is completely prepared! When I checked his address, I saw it said Temecula California, and that's in the Carlsbad California mission where my twin brother is serving! 

So I thought that was awesome, but what was the real miracle happened today when I called him and asked if the missionaries had stopped by and he said they had, and he had a baptismal date for May 29th! Excited, I congratulated him and asked, "Who are your missionaries?" (just out of curiosity) He then said, "An Elder Willes and an Elder Abraham." I then felt the Spirit so strongly at
that moment because I felt how interconnected God is in our lives. Seriously I want you all to think of all the referrals in the world: all of the missions, missionaries, towns and countries in the world and my twin brother is teaching the same person! 

Heavenly Father is amazing and I know He is in every detail of our lives, including the referrals we take. It's no coincidence that I got that referral. I know that everything we do is part of God’s plan for you and I here in the center. "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round." (1 Nephi 10:19) he thought that was amazing, but alas, he had to refer Lawrence to the young single adult missionaries, but still he and I got to teach the same person. That almost never happens.

Natalie and the other missionaries serving with her were able to meet US Senator John McCain when he toured the temple grounds last week!

I Know He Lives!

Natalie Willes

Teaching in Arizona

I love Easter. It truly has become my favorite holiday. We have been blessed by the counsel and guidance of those who bore sure and true testimonies through the Atonement packet and through the scripture and the pageant. I'm certain that the Lord wanted me to come out on my mission at this time of year so that I could experience Easter in a new light. Last year I was confused and learning everything I thought I knew before over again as a new missionary. So I didn't really get too much out of Easter or the Easter pageant.  Even though I did gain some spiritual knowledge, it wasn't like this year. This year I wanted to get something out of Easter. I wanted to know the Atonement. I knew that my Savior is my best friend and that He loves me. Yes I knew that before, but not as I know now. I know that the Atonement is personal. I know my Savior lives, and that He died for me and all mankind. I know that I've found the most peace in my life through our Savior and his loving embrace. I'm so grateful for the things I've learned as a missionary. I'm eternally grateful.

This week was amazing because of the Easter pageant. I love it so much. One of my favorite observations about the pageant is the last two lines said in the ending acts. The last thing Jesus says when appears to his apostles and disciples, is "Peace be unto you." What a powerful last statement from our Savior. And the last thing uttered in testimony to all who are present, is "I know He lives." I just love it. It gave me chills every single time I heard it, but especially so the last night.