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.

The Lord was Pointing the Way

From Karsten Hinckley Teaching in Thailand  These past two weeks I have just been so happy! I can say that we have worked really hard to deserve the happiness that we have right now but that would not be right. All of the success that we have had is from the Lords hand in the work. We cannot have done anything these last two weeks if it wasn’t for Him pointing the way. We have seen so many blessings and miracles these past two weeks. Thank you for your prayers for our investigators.  We were teaching one of our investigators sister Rung. She is Christian already and just this last week in one of our lessons she told us, “Okay, I'm ready to be baptized." That made Elder Taylor and I feel like a million pounds had just been lifted. On Sunday we sat down with her and she told us some things that had been on her mind. Her daughter is handicapped and people will make fun of her daughter for being the way she is. We expressed that we were sorry for other people and their negative words. She also went on to tell us how her daughter had not learned about Jesus before. We had only met her taught her once and Sister Rung was very happy. She cried as she told us the many things that had been on her mind. She told us," Here is where I feel I am finding my answers." She is progressing greatly! She has such a strong testimony. She has a friend that is a member here, who was once a member at her old church. That friend has been able to help her understand the Gospel. Elder Taylor and I have high hopes for her. She has a date for the 29th! Sister Nii passed her baptismal interview last Wednesday which made Elder Taylor and I very happy! We know that she is ready because she has told us. She tells us that she wants her children to come as well. She has a daughter that wants to come as well! I love that! After she passed her interview, we sat down with her and Sister Yuki and talked about the temple. We showed them a temple video that a member made about the temple and they felt the spirit. It was amazing to see their eyes as we watch the video. They are two people that are very ready to be baptized. One of our investigators the other day was telling us how she didn’t read the Book of Mormon but watched You-tube and looked on Google instead. "I did it because it was easier than reading", she told us. I flat out told her," Sister you will not know or gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon by using those things, they have to benefit." I think it hit her a little bit. The past few lessons have been really hard with her because she will just ask for blessings. It kind of doesn’t set well with us. We've tried to help her understand how prayer is more than asking, it is a communication between us and Him. We need to make a good relationship with Him. Well about two days later, on a switch off, she changed!! I was almost thrown off. She told us that she had actually prayed to Him and had a conversation. We taught the gospel and she accepted a baptismal date! She said the best prayer I've ever heard her say! I didn’t know what to think. All I thought was, “You are starting to understand!” I know that at times it will take a while for someone to understand, so don’t give up on them. Sunday! It was the best Sunday that Elder Taylor nor I have ever had on our missions. We had over a 100 people at church which never happens. We had many less active and investigators. The speakers were so good! The lessons were great! To top it off we had 2 baptisms! Almost all of our investigators saw the baptism. Sister Yuki and Sister Nii both bore wonderful testimonies! We had such a good week! All thanks goes to Heavenly Father and you for your prayers. The Church is True!

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!

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!!