So,
yeah.... another week went by.... weird right? I think I would get used to this
by now, but, I don't think I ever will. Anyway,
there have been some awesome miracles going on in Port Alberni! Elder Hansen is
a miracle worker! This past week we had a baptism which was awesome! We taught
this little girl in 6 days! A 6 DAY BAPTISM!!! CRAZY EH?!?! It was so awesome!
This little girl, Ivy Nelson, was just so prepared to hear the gospel! Her
mother doesn't go to church, and her dad, (who lives in Utah) was coming up for a visit,
and he wanted her to get baptized. All that needed to happen, was for the
missionaries to teach her! We were so excited to be able to see this little
girl get baptized. The first lesson, she taught us. She explained things so
simply, and I was just shocked by her knowledge in the gospel. SHE KNEW
EVERYTHING! I wish that all of our investigators were like this! She was so
attentive during the lessons, and, when she got baptized, she was completely
focused! Such a prepared little girl! I am just so glad that I got to be here
when everything was aligned for her to be taught. One of the coolest parts
about the baptism though, is that the mom and her boyfriend were there. When she saw her daughter Ivy baptized, she was crying.
Let’s
see... what else? Wellllll... MARILYN CAME TO CHURCH!!! It was so exciting to
see her coming in with her cane decorated with flowers! So exciting! It was
this past Wednesday when she gave up coffee and tea, and she is holding strong!
I was so excited! She has a baptismal date for March 21st! I am so excited for
her! Such a miracle!
Not
much else has happened this week. Elder Hansen and I are just so grateful for
the opportunity which we had to be able to teach Ivy, and I hope and pray in
turn that this will touch the heart of her mother as well. Ivy is such a strong
little girl, and she just knows what to do and say, and she brings the spirit
with her. I wish I was as strong as her.
Another miracle this past week was Colton (Ivy's older brother). He is a
quiet and shy most of the time, but ever since we have started taking him to
lessons, he has started opening up to us, and wants to pass the sacrament this
coming Sunday which has been a major wall for him to climb.
We
didn't get to see much of Bill or Francois this past week. We are still praying
for Bill to be able to remember things. I just hope that he retains it, and
keeps the word of wisdom so that he can get baptized soon enough. He is such a
nice guy, and is really attentive, most of the time that is.
This
past week I have been working on my Book of Mormon read every day, and it has
been such a blessing to be able to have an hour that is set aside for personal
study. Today I was reading in 3 Nephi 11 and I came across a very profound
scripture that rang so much truth. It was verse 3 that really hit me. "And
it came to pass that while they were thus conversing one with another, they
heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round
about, for they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a
harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice." This section of the verse really describes the
character of the voice, which is the Holy Spirit, which speaks to all of us. It
goes on to say "nevertheless, and notwithstanding it being a small voice
it did pierce them that did hear to the center". This is the catch. It
pierced those "that did hear", so not necessarily everyone. It is
only, when we have an open heart and a contrite and humble spirit, that we are
able to hear or feel the promptings of the spirit. It is then, that if we are
on this course of humility, love, which is the path of our Savior, that we will
feel the spirit "pierce to the very soul" and cause our "hearts
to burn".
There
is so much to learn from the Book of Mormon. I have understood this wonderful
book evermore on my mission. I am ashamed of the time that my Book of Mormon
sat on my shelf collecting dust. We can learn so much from it! It gives us the
guidance and strength that we need to stand as witnesses of God in all times,
in all things, and in all places. We must build "upon the rock of our
redeemer, who is Christ, the son of God" (Helaman 5:12) and if we do this,
we will surely not fall. This is my testimony, that God lives, and that, if we
build upon his foundation, we will be able to endure to the end, which is the
hardest, but greatest thing we can do. I love all of you and hope the best for
every single one of you.
Love
Elder
McCown
