January 18, 2010 "Miraculous Miracles in the Missouri Independence Mission"

TLC is now "tender, loving Chandler". This is our new cat, Jinx, snuggled by Branch Pres. Chandler. So darling.

Oh, what sister missionaries will do for a object lesson.

Hello Family and Friends,

I feel like the veil was so thin this week. Never in my life have I felt so much joy and fulfillment. Besides people being receptive to the Restored Gospel who never were before (sometimes sisters get in doors that elders never could, just because we are girls) and people in the branch who have been less active now showing interest, we had 3 huge things happen this week.

Tuesday night, we looked at our blank schedule for the next day. As I went to say we should go to a new town, the words "Blue Mound" came out of my mouth. We had only seen it on a map a few times and knew nothing about it. Knowing Heavenly Father would provide a team-up, we found some names in the Area Book and made plans to check up on them. Last second, of course, everything worked out. When we got to Blue Mound (a million miles away), we saw a man walking down the street and feeling prompted to talk to him, we followed him to his house. All we said was "We felt impressed to come talk to you." He warmly invited us in and was very open to our message because... he had been SO prepared. He was in the Marines in the Middle East and had attended a "Mormon church" and was fascinated. He had been studying the Book of Mormon for years and even has used it in weddings he has performed. You can imagine he was delighted to find out that a Latter-Day Saint chapel was a few miles from his house! He couldn't come to church yesterday, but we are excited to see him next time. We have an appointment this week and we think a church tour would really touch his heart.

Miracle number 2: Driving down the road with our team-up on Saturday, we felt prompted to stop the car and talk to a woman outside. We let fear creep in a little since it was such an awkward situation. After a prayer, we just got out and approached her. It was amazing! She felt that God had led us to her. She invited herself to church and referred a friend before we even asked. I wouldn't believe it myself if I hadn't been there. To make a long story short she came to church yesterday, soaked everything up, caught herself saying "we believe", prayed for us saying "our missionaries" and even paid tithing at the end. Yes, she wanted to pay tithing when we never mentioned it. She referred her friend, which brings us to our third miracle.

We decided a blind approach would be best. Before we even explained who we were, the referred friend let us in. They have had quite a few deaths in the family. She named one (the children's father) and my breath caught. There is a note on our whiteboard from the elders last transfer saying to find this man's family. Everyone in the room was teary-eyed when we explained we had been praying to find them for over a month. She asked if we could come back on a weekly basis, said she knew we were representatives of Jesus Christ and told us it was the first time she had felt true joy in a long time.

I know Heavenly Father answers prayers. I know it. Things are happening in Mound City. We are so pumped that today, we are giving up a few hours of our preparation day as a gift to our Father.

Do all you can to be worthy of the Holy Ghost. He will tell you where you need to be, put words in your mouth and give you the courage to share the Gospel. I think often of the words from my call. To paraphrase and add application to you, more happiness awaits you than you can ever imagine as you serve the Lord, forget yourself and speak His words. I know this is true. It's happening to me right now. I can't explain to you how full my heart is. Thank you for your prayers.

Sister Adamson