Monday, November 24, 2014

Tender Mercy of the Lord 11-17-2014

It's weird. I feel like I literally emailed home 2 days ago...this week has flown! 
  So, I was thinking about what I wanted to email about this week and I decided on 3 things: 1 miracle, 1 hilarious phone call, 1 new favorite scripture and a thought to go with it. 
  I'll start with the miracle.
  Friday of last week I went on exchanges with our District leader Sister Nakamatsu. She's from Japan and literally the sweetest! Anyways, we were in the South Visitor Center and Sister Nakamatsu was like, "Let's go up and talk to people at the Christus." Normally, I don't really talk to people at the Christus just because people are always praying and meditating and stuff up there and I feel bad interrupting them if they are having a really spiritual experience, BUT I learned that I definitely should not think like that. 
  So Sister N and I walked up to the Christus and started talking to these 3 girls for like 10 minutes. They were super sweet, we gave them Book of Mormon cards, and started walking away when Sister N turned around super fast and was like, "let's talk to that guy."     He was sitting by himself and was looking at his Ipad and so I was a little hesitant. But Sister N went up and asked him what he was reading and he said, "I'm finishing the Book of Mormon for the first time, I'm on Moroni chapter 4." 
  I instantly got so excited because I had just read that exact chapter that morning! 
  For some reason, though, I said, "Oh my gosh, didn't you love Ether chapter 12?!" Now that I think back on it, that was so random of me to say...but when I said it, his face completely changed. 
  He said that he had read that chapter the day before and it was the most powerful chapter to him personally in the Book of Mormon. He ended up telling us his whole life story and how he joined the church one year ago and decided to come to Temple Square for his year anniversary as a member. 
  He said things have not been easy lately and he said it was a tender mercy from the Lord that of all the chapters in the Book of Mormon, we asked him about Ether 12. That was the first time I cried in front of someone on the Square. It just never ceases to amaze me at how incredibly aware God is of each one of us. He knows exactly what we need, and he sends us people to meet those needs.

  Now, the hilarious phone call. Hahahaha. I really hope this is as funny to you as it was to Sister Isaksen and I. So, we have this investigator named Larry that we usually call every week but we hadn't called him for like 2 weeks because he's been busy and is meeting with local missionaries anyways. But anyway, Sister Isaksen called him on Tuesday (when she was on exchanges so I wasn't with her) and then told me that Larry had set a baptism date!!! Except he couldn't remember what day it was..haha. Saturday we decided to call him and just make sure he was planning on going to church the next day and he answers the phone and before we can say anything he goes, "I'm sorry Sisters, it didn't happen today. We are just running a little bit behind schedule, but don't worry, don't worry, it will happen." We were like, "uhh...wait what didn't happen today?" And Larry was like, "I guess I was getting baptized today!" He had no idea. hahahaha. Ok now that I type it out, it's not as funny, but it like made our week.

  OK, now my new favorite scripture, it's 2 Nephi 22:2-3. 
  It says, "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he has also become my salvation. Therefore, with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." 
  I love this scripture soooo much. Christ refers to himself as the living water and so I love that analogy of with joy, drawing water out of the wells of salvation. It is only through our Savior that we receive salvation. When we feel empty and like we don't have any more strength to move foward, that is OK. He will fill us up when we are empty if we will turn to him. He will be the living water that we will joyfully draw from when we need strength.

I love you all so much! I hope you have such a great week!

Love,

Sister Helton

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