Thanksgiving and a Chilean

I found an old Confederate Fort!  

Hello Friends and Family!

It was another fantastic week here in Georgia!  I hope y’all had a great Thanksgiving, and that you enjoyed reflecting on what you are grateful for. I do know that I’m beyond grateful to be serving as a full-time missionary, because I know nothing could draw me closer to our Savior Jesus Christ.  I thought that I would just share four amazing miracles that I was blessed to see this week!

First, Elder Sieverts and I knocked into an individual named Manny several weeks. When we knocked on his door, he opened it up, and after we explained who we were, he said, “Oh! My whole family in Chile is Mormon! When can you guys come back and have dinner?!”  This past week, Elder Sieverts and I were able to sit down, and have dinner and a lesson with Manny, and his girlfriend Jackie.  It was one of the most amazing Restoration Lesson’s ever!  While at dinner, Manny was very nice to us, and explained his family situation. He explained that his whole family had joined the church, but he never did. When I inquired why, he said, “I just can’t fully accept the idea of prophets, and of prayer. I only pray when I need something. I just don’t feel worthy to pray to an infinite Deity.”  As we were able to explain to him the purpose of prayer, and of prophets, the Spirit swept the room so strongly. When we asked Manny about committing to pray and read the Book of Mormon, there was just silence. He said, “I’m just afraid. What if I do get a feeling it is true?” We were able to explain to him the purpose of what it means to ‘pray with real intent’, and to ‘pray with a sincere desire’. As we explained this, the Spirit just testified to me of how important prayer is while we study the Holy Scriptures. I have felt, and know, that a true spiritual study of the scriptures is ALWAYS opened with a prayer, and closed with the prayer. As we were able to witness to him of the power of prayer in knowing the truthfulness of the Gospel, I felt the Spirit testify to me of how beautiful the idea of prayer is. A scripture came to mind when we spoke of prayer, and that is Matthew 21:22, which reads, “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” I know that as we ask, in true belief, and with that sincere heart and with real intent, having Faith in Christ, that we will always receive an answer to our prayers. What a wonderful blessing that is!  The lesson was awesome, and it was only so because the Spirit was allowed to enter there, and to teach Manny and Jackie the truthfulness of this Gospel.

 This week we were also able to see an amazing miracle with Cecilia. We had an appointment

with her, and as soon as we sat down with her, she said, “I need to know exactly what to do to be baptized.  I want to be baptized so bad!  Tell me everything I should do.” This was such an amazing miracle, because the lesson that Elder Sieverts and I prayed about, and felt that we should teach her, is the lesson of the Commandments (such as the Word of Wisdom, Law of Chastity, etc.).  It was incredible to see how the Spirit was able to communicate the needs of Cecilia to us, days before the actual lesson. As we bore witness of each commandment, and the things necessary for baptism, Cecilia just seemed to become more committed. I am always overwhelmed at the Power of the Holy Ghost, as the Third Member of the Godhead.  It not only prepares us, as missionaries, for future discussions we will have, but it is able to tell us in the very moment, what is needful for us to say. Cecilia has been progressing well towards baptism, and we are just focusing on helping her overcome her alcohol addiction, coming to church, and reading and praying of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon.  I know, as I have seen Cecilia progress, that the Book of Mormon and this Gospel changes lives. I know that any individual, no matter whom it may be, can and will be forever changed by the Power of Christ in their life. There is truly, and honestly, no doubt in my mind that this work is real. It is true.  As Christ said, “By their fruits ye shall know them…”, and I know that the fruit(s) of the Book of Mormon, and of the Message of the Restoration is peace, comfort, direction, and a feeling of Love from their Savior. Because the fruits of this Gospel are real, so must this work be real as well.

 Elder Sieverts and I were also able to have an awesome experience while contacting on Thanksgiving! We prayed, and felt that a certain area would be good to try knocking some doors, and visiting with individuals, and so we headed out. We came to a certain street, and we both felt the Spirit prompt us to continue down that road. Within about 30 seconds of walking on this road, we saw an older man sitting on his porch. We walked over to him, introduced ourselves as servants of the Lord, and he said, “You know something, I’ve been Baptist my whole life, but I just feel like a man could really see God. Everyone tells me that a man can’t see God and live, but I know that’s wrong. I know prophets have seen him!” Keep in mind; this is BEFORE we even mentioned Joseph Smith, prophets, or the Restoration! Elder Sieverts and I both glanced at each other, smiled, and then I said, “While sir, I think you would really appreciate our message. Do you have a few minutes?” For the next thirty minutes or so, we had an awesome conversation about Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, and prophets. I was just so humbled at how our Loving Heavenly Father prepares every individual, in some way, to hear the message of the Restoration. In this instance, Ellis (his name) was very prepared to hear it!  We both walked away feeling so blessed, and especially to be able to find him on Thanksgiving, when so many individuals were away from home, or not interested in talking with us. I know that this Gospel is meant for every single one of God’s children, and is meant to enlighten us, strengthen us, and prepare us to meet our Maker someday.

 The last experience I wanted to share, and briefly mention, was a very humbling moment. On Wednesday, we got a call from Sister Jackson. As a reminder, Sister Jackson is a less active member that I’ve been working with ever since I came to LaGrange in August; she has many health problems, and has struggled in the past few weeks especially with several declining health issues. Anyways, we got a call from her, and she said, “Elders, GUESS WHAT?” Sister Jackson is a quiet woman, and so being somewhat caught off guard, we laughed and asked what was up. She said, “I got my medical test results back this week, and my health problems are gone! All the tests came back negative!” We quickly went over to her home, and prayed in thanks with her, that her Loving Heavenly Father was able to heal her, through her Faith in Him. Although a tiny, yet incredible miracle of healing, it strengthened my testimony in the Power of Faith, and the Priesthood. I do know that whatever challenges we may face, if they be physical, emotional, mental, or just social, that through pure Faith in Jesus Christ, and the Power and Authority of the Priesthood, all situations may be made whole. I know that Heavenly Father wants us to come to Him more fully, and that is the reason why he provides us with trials and difficulties: to allow us the chance to come to Him to be healed.

This past week I read a scripture that I felt I should share. This comes from 2 Corinthians 6:18, which reads, “And [I] will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” I do know that our Heavenly Father loves us beyond all comprehension, and that we are His Sons and Daughters, and that He truly desires us to return home to Him. I have never been able to feel of my Heavenly Father’s Love for me stronger, than when I’ve been on my mission. No matter what individual: what background, socioeconomic situation, ethnicity, or location, I know that Heavenly Father loves us all equally.

Thank you so much for all your support, letters, emails, and prayers! I love y’all so much!

Until Next Week-

Elder Robb