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.

I Know You From Somewhere!

From Jonah Bench

Teaching in New York, USA

Karen is an excommunicated member who recently got re-baptized! She was a drug addict, an alcoholic, a smoker, coffee drinker, and had three of her four kids out of wedlock with two different men. She's broken most of the commandments and, as a result, ended up in a really dark place. But one night she prayed for help and the missionaries stopped by the next day. She let them in and started taking the lessons. 

This was about the time I got transferred here and the first thing she said to me when I walked into her house was "I know you from somewhere!" There's no way I have met her on earth. But I very firmly believe that we were very close friends before this earth. She quit smoking, read the entire book of Mormon, quit coffee, kicked the people out of her life that were a bad influence, and completely changed to become ready for baptism. We went to the temple to do baptisms for the dead last Saturday and also went to the sacred grove. It was awesome! 

There may only be one person that you will find on your mission who you are able to see change. "But if ye should labor all your days and bring save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with them in the kingdom of my Father." It's true! Keep going!! 

A Sweet Feeling of Peace and Joy Came Over Me

From Karsten Hinckley

Teaching in Thailand 

When your investigators finds out for themselves that what you have been teaching is true, you get a sign of relief. That happened this last week. Last Monday we met with Sister You-Gee. We have been teaching her for over a month now. We told her that we would watch the Restoration video with her the week before, but never got to it. We got to it Monday though. After watching the video she told us, "Mormon is true. I felt it myself - the Mormon is true." A sweet feeling of joy and peace came over me and I was just so happy! She went on to tell us that every time she comes to church she feels great! After she told us these things I then asked, "What's next?" She said, “I have to keep the commandments." That is what I like to hear. She doesn’t have a baptismal date yet, but we are still working on that. It's not when we want it, it's when she wants it. I love my missionary experiences! 

… This last Saturday we started our fast like normal. I fasted for our investigators and for miracles. We didn’t think that any of our investigators would show up today because they told us that they couldn’t make it. Some of our investigators came today and together with the sisters we had ten investigators at church!! Yeah!! The sisters had a baptism today which was great and their investigator asked me if I would baptize her. I thought, “Well, she doesn’t even know me. Okay, well if this is what she wants, okay.”  So yesterday I baptized someone! Also we had about six less active members  return to Church! One of the less active brothers was given the priesthood as well, which was awesome! 

… I am seeing so many miracles just about every day! The Lord works in mysterious ways!! 

Ready to Go at a Moment's Notice

From Karsten Hinckley

Teaching in Thailand 

This week was a great week of learning, applying, teaching and serving! Elder Polu and I had a great week of serving and teaching. There is a small family in our ward here who just isn’t doing the best. It is a mom and two sons. We were at Book of Mormon class this week when we got a call. It was the mom telling me that her son went to the hospital. I asked, "Sister what do you want me to do? If you want me to come I will come." She said, “Ill call you back if I need anything.”  I told her not to feel bad if she needed up to come.

So we went on with our class and I get a call about 10 minutes later: "Elder I need you to come now!" I looked at Elder Polu and said, “We have to go now.” We got on our bikes and road to the hospital which was about 14 minutes away in about 5 minutes.

The woman’s  other son ran to the front counter to get us and we ran to the mom and other son. She asked us to give her son a Priesthood blessing. We gave the little boy a blessing. Did the best we could to comfort the mom and we left.

The next morning we get a call from the sister in our ward again. "Elder I need you to come to the hospital and give my other son a blessing." We got on our bikes and road to the hospital again. We bought food for the family before we went in. We gave the other son a blessing. To our surprise the boy who we gave the blessing to the night before was up walking around. The other son was given a blessing and we went on our way. That was all we could do. These two boys were very sick and I know that the Lord, through us using our priesthood, was able to heal the both of them. I was ready to go at a moment’s notice.

We need to be ready to move, make a decision on a moment’s notice. Sometimes we don’t have time to waste. Things need to get done and what are you going to do? I know that the Lord puts us in situations that will help us grow. All I know is that I am doing the best that I can do.

I LOVE Being a Missionary!

From Jaime Kloepfer

Teaching in Florida  

Missions are truly the best! I can't even describe the joy that comes when you share the gospel with Gods children! My companion and I have been able to experience wonderful miracles here in the tiny town of Palatka! Most people call it a redneck town! 

When arriving here to Palatka we identified some part member families and began working with them. For the past few weeks we have had the privilege of teaching two little girls the gospel of Jesus Christ. Each lesson we taught them was increasing their faith! The most beautiful part of it all is to see the family of these two little girls grow closer to the Savior and have an increased desire to keep Gods commandments. They are working to have family home evening each week and the children remember each night to read the Book of Mormon! Miracles do happen and people do change. It is all because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ that this is made possible:). I love this gospel and I love my Savior Jesus Christ. I LOVE being a missionary!