Well, let's start with the bad news. Vani and Sunil are moving to Michigan this Saturday. I AM SO SAD. They were supposed to get baptized next Saturday! I cried when I found out. But they have come to church both last Sunday and this Sunday and have committed to go to the LDS church when they move to Michigan. But still, I was so bummed!!!!
But when God closes a door, He opens a window... a window to a beautiful view!!!!
I don't even know where to start. We had the biggest miracle of all happen on Thursday night. We had arranged for Ilivea to get a priesthood blessing on Thursday night. But Thursday was a terrible day for her! Not only has a lot of junk been happening in her personal life, but she just started cosmetology school a week ago when her car's transmission decides to die. She barely got home from school on Thursday, and was so discouraged. She called us crying and said, "I'm this close to becoming an atheist. God clearly doesn't exist because I just have one trial after another and I feel like I'm getting no help at all. I'm about ready to give up."
So we hurried over to her house just to be there for her, and help her get through this mind set. We taught her the Faith Cycle, as taught in Alma 32:26-28. We told her she was at the last step, the "don't cast it out" step. If she just held on a little longer, we knew it would work out. This was about 30 minutes before the priesthood blessing.
Our ward mission leader and one of the ward missionaries came over to give Ilivea a blessing. It was a beautiful blessing, promising her peace and that Heavenly Father knew her and loved her. After the blessing, she asked if Kenya and Adorea could also have blessings. After they both received blessings, Ilivea stood up and started crying. She said, "You have no idea what you have done for me tonight. I know God is real. I know He loves me. And if it's alright, not this Sunday but next Sunday I would like to be baptized."
Yes, I promise, that really happened!!!!!!! Who does that? I'm telling you, Ilivea is the most prepared person I've ever met. We've taught her most of the commandments and she takes notes. Not only has she not smoked for over 2 weeks, but she gave us her coffee and tea to throw away. She is so committed!
I was always a little jealous when Sister Reading got to have a baptism on her birthday, when Kathryn got baptized this summer. But I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father let me know that He still needs me here, by giving me a baptism for my birthday next Sunday.
Seriously, if you ever doubt that Heavenly Father loves you and knows you personally, go get a priesthood blessing. But I want to promise you that He loves all of His children with a perfect love. As His representative, I get to feel the Lord's love for His children each day, and it is so incredible.
I love you all, have a GREAT WEEK!!!
Sister Laser
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| Atlanta Georgia Temple |
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