A Sunday In Augusta

Hello Friends and Family!                      

This week has been another incredible, and humbling week. I am loving my companion Elder Glenn, and have never worked so much on my whole mission. I am truly growing spiritually, and have come to appreciate aspects of missionary work that I never fully appreciated before. I have such a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and of the Healing Power that the Atonement can bring into our lives. I do know that Jesus Christ lives, and that His Atonement is not meerly a statement of doctrine, but a way of living. I read a quote this past week from General Conference that I loved. It reads, "When you walk the path of discipleship—when you move toward Heavenly Father—there is something within you that will confirm that you have heard the call of the Savior and set your heart toward the light. It will tell you that you are on the right path and that you are returning home." I couldn't think of a better quote of how I feel towards the Work of the Lord. For the letter this week, I wanted to mention how this past Sunday was, and what miracles we saw on that one day. 

As church was ending at Fort Gordon, a member of the Branch Presidency came up to us in a hurry, and asked if we could quickly go give a blessing at a nearby hospital. We agreed, and went with him. As we were driving, he explained a detailed situation of a young woman who had recently had a baby, but the baby was struggling to live. She was a member of Arizona, and had somehow made her way here to Georgia. We went into the hospital, and finally, after several security checkpoints, we were able to go into the room with the young mother and a tiny ten-week old baby. The Spirit could be felt deeply in that room, and the young mother was clearly strickened by the situation (as anyone would be). I had never considered how to give a Priesthood Blessing to a baby before, but with the guidance of the Spirit, Elder Glenn and I were able to lay each of our pointer finger's on the child’s head to administer to a Priesthood Blessing. As the blessing was being said, I couldn't help but feel of the soft, peaceful Spirit just radiating from this infant. I reflected on the words of the Savior when He said, "But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Simply, I know that Heavenly Father Loves His Children. I know that the Priesthood is real, and powerful. The Priesthood is an extension of Heavenly Father's Love for His Children here on Earth. 

After returning from the Hospital, Elder Glenn and I prayed and felt strongly that we needed

to go try to find a certain less-active we found on a map. As we pulled up to the home, a car pulled into the driveway. This, as you could imagine, is a miracle in and of itself (because we don't have to depend on if someone would answer the door or not). We got out, and walked over to the car. A young woman got out, and just began to cry. She said, "Elders, last night my child came to me and said we needed to go to Church today.  I couldn't even sleep last night because I wanted to go, but I was so nervous. I haven't been in so long. I have been dealing with so much lately. It is amazing how y'all showed up right when I am thinking so much about Church." Elder Glenn and I couldn't help but just stand there, and read scriptures with her, and tell her how much her Heavenly Father Loved and cared for her. She said, "Please come back. I need to come to Church. I will just need some help for a bit." I have just been learning, and realizing, so much recently, about how Heavenly Father never lets one of His lost sheep go astray for long. I hope we consider those around us, and especially those who currently aren't in our congregations on Sunday, and ask ourselves, "Do they just need help, and a loving hand to hold, in coming back to Church?" The Lord Loves all of His Children, and weeps every time one of His Children goes astray. It is His nature to Love and want to nurture us back to 'health' in our relationship with the Father.

Right after this (no later than about two minutes), Elder Glenn and I were walking down the street, when a door on our direct left randomly opened up. It was black on the inside of the home, so it was strange to see the door just open up. We both stopped, and looked there for a second, when we saw a little child emerge in the doorway. Right then, an adult (the mother) appeared in the doorway. She looked out at us, as we looked back, and then we said, "We are inviting all to be baptized into Christ's Restored Church, can we come over and tell you more?" The lady just smiled and said yes. As we went over, and to begin talking with her, she stopped us and said, "Y'all know that I met with some missionaries years ago right? I prayed about the Book of Mormon and everything. I know this is the Church I'm supposed to be in, but I couldn't find a way to get back in touch with y'all. I have just been praying God would send some of y'all back to me." How amazing is this? The Spirit was so strong there, and just confirmed to me the importance of always inviting everyone we see to follow Jesus Christ to be baptized. I knew that Heavenly Father had led us there, and had literally opened her door to us. We even remarked before we walked away, "Isn't it so amazing how Heavenly Father opened that door for us, to you?" The lady laughed and said, "Yeah, I was just sitting there, then my door opened, and then I looked out and saw y'all standing in the street staring back!" Surely, God really can open the hearts and doors of those we need to find and teach. 

It was truly a wonderful week. I love being here in Augusta, and things are really heating up for the Masters Golf Tournament coming up next week! To keep in that theme, and for the Golf culture that constantly surrounds me (did I mention my companion was one of the best all-time golfers in the State of Idaho?), I thought I would end with a fitting scripture, "...The Master is come, and calleth for thee." 

Until Next Week-

Elder Robb