Last week we were praying specifically for a new investigator, but by the end of the week we still hadn't found one. We had to sacrifice a good chunk of prime proselyting time from our area by serving at the temple Christmas lights Friday night. We put forth our best effort serving there and expected the Lord to make up the difference. It was now Sunday morning, and we still had no new investigators. We had church up until 4 pm and then we were scheduled to work at the Christmas lights that evening as well. We were out of time. We needed a miracle.
At our last Sacrament meeting of the day, a member of the bishopric introduced us to Brandon. He had just walked into the building at the beginning of the meeting. Brandon had Googled us and found out the location of the building as well as the meeting time on his own. He very much enjoyed all three hours of church. We set up a time on Monday to meet with him and teach the first lesson.
At the lesson, he shared with us his past, which was full of difficulties and trials. He has a friend who is a member of the church who shared bits and pieces of Gospel truths with him when he needed it the most. He finally decided something needed to change. He told us of an experience he had where the Lord told him not to worry, but that he would be guided to the right path. Brandon also said that he would trust in the Lord and rely on his feelings instead of getting caught up in trying to explain and discover things logically. He had a broken heart and a contrite spirit. As we discussed the message of the Restoration, he became very excited and full of the Spirit saying things like, “It’s all making sense now!”, “What is the next step?” and, “This is something that I want to be a part of.”
Naturally, we decided to set a date with him for baptism. He graciously accepted, and will prepare to be baptized on the day after Christmas. Interestingly enough, he wanted to know if it would be OK if he invited people to his baptism. Of course we said yes-he could invite his family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, everybody! Brandon wants to be an example to his family and feels like this is the right decision. With his example of following the Spirit, he will be a blessing to his family and help them to accept the Gospel and the blessings that come from it.
The Lord is preparing people to receive the Gospel. When missionaries make sacrifices and give their best effort, the Lord will make miracles happen. I am so grateful that Brandon had the courage to listen to the Spirit, and for his friend sharing bits and pieces of the Gospel with him when he needed it the most. Obedience to the promptings of the Spirit allows the Lord to work miracles, and sacrifice shows the Lord you need his help.
God bless!
Love,
Elder Gomez and Elder Crook
Elder Crook added this little bit:
Sister Bassett,
For me this event of seeing Brandon come out of 'no where' was an experience I knew only God could do. Brandon was getting prepared and Elder Gomez and myself were also getting prepared as we worked. This miracle showed to me that God does know our cares and our concerns. We have 2 baptisms coming up but I was concerned about what was going to happen after that. In our effort to continue finding this last week we did talk to more people and did get some potentials from it. We didn't, however, find a new investigator and I was down until Brandon came into the picture. I know that it was because we were trying to find someone that God placed someone in our path in the unexpected way. I know that God does answer prayers espeically when we go out and do our best to fulfill them. This event showed to me that God is preparing people and how we just have to do our best and God will do the rest. I'm so grateful for this event. Thank you Sister Bassett for encouraging us to record miracles and look for them. Hope you and President Bassett have a great week!
Sincerely,
Elder Neil Crook
At our last Sacrament meeting of the day, a member of the bishopric introduced us to Brandon. He had just walked into the building at the beginning of the meeting. Brandon had Googled us and found out the location of the building as well as the meeting time on his own. He very much enjoyed all three hours of church. We set up a time on Monday to meet with him and teach the first lesson.
At the lesson, he shared with us his past, which was full of difficulties and trials. He has a friend who is a member of the church who shared bits and pieces of Gospel truths with him when he needed it the most. He finally decided something needed to change. He told us of an experience he had where the Lord told him not to worry, but that he would be guided to the right path. Brandon also said that he would trust in the Lord and rely on his feelings instead of getting caught up in trying to explain and discover things logically. He had a broken heart and a contrite spirit. As we discussed the message of the Restoration, he became very excited and full of the Spirit saying things like, “It’s all making sense now!”, “What is the next step?” and, “This is something that I want to be a part of.”
Naturally, we decided to set a date with him for baptism. He graciously accepted, and will prepare to be baptized on the day after Christmas. Interestingly enough, he wanted to know if it would be OK if he invited people to his baptism. Of course we said yes-he could invite his family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, everybody! Brandon wants to be an example to his family and feels like this is the right decision. With his example of following the Spirit, he will be a blessing to his family and help them to accept the Gospel and the blessings that come from it.
The Lord is preparing people to receive the Gospel. When missionaries make sacrifices and give their best effort, the Lord will make miracles happen. I am so grateful that Brandon had the courage to listen to the Spirit, and for his friend sharing bits and pieces of the Gospel with him when he needed it the most. Obedience to the promptings of the Spirit allows the Lord to work miracles, and sacrifice shows the Lord you need his help.
God bless!
Love,
Elder Gomez and Elder Crook
Sister Bassett,
For me this event of seeing Brandon come out of 'no where' was an experience I knew only God could do. Brandon was getting prepared and Elder Gomez and myself were also getting prepared as we worked. This miracle showed to me that God does know our cares and our concerns. We have 2 baptisms coming up but I was concerned about what was going to happen after that. In our effort to continue finding this last week we did talk to more people and did get some potentials from it. We didn't, however, find a new investigator and I was down until Brandon came into the picture. I know that it was because we were trying to find someone that God placed someone in our path in the unexpected way. I know that God does answer prayers espeically when we go out and do our best to fulfill them. This event showed to me that God is preparing people and how we just have to do our best and God will do the rest. I'm so grateful for this event. Thank you Sister Bassett for encouraging us to record miracles and look for them. Hope you and President Bassett have a great week!
Sincerely,
Elder Neil Crook
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