Group E-mail 6/23/14

First of all, two cool miracles that happened this week. On Tuesday we were visiting a bunch of people -- investigators, potentials, less-active members, active members. Everybody. And nobody was answering the door. Eventually we decided to go visit Sis. Black, who is a less-active member that we both had never met. She was in her front yard when we got there. She has cancer and had just gotten home from chemotherapy and was about to go to bed. She was excited to see us and let us inside. We got to know her and shared a message. When we said the closing prayer, Sis. Hassell prayed and after she finished, Sis. Black started praying. She thanked Heavenly Father for answering her prayer that she had offered just the day before to send the sisters over because she hadn't seen us in a long time. There are few things more humbling in this world than being an instrument in Heavenly Father's hands to answer one of His children's prayers. 

For the second miracle I have to recap. The sisters here have been teaching a girl named Bridgette for quite awhile. She wasn't really going anywhere, but a couple of weeks ago we had a couple really great lessons with her and things were going to start moving. But then she texted us and told us she was moving to Florida for the summer. We were so bummed! Things were going so well. So, after Sis. Black on Tuesday we went out with some senior missionaries that are now in our ward and then went to dinner. Then we visited a member family that we see every Tuesday night, and after that I really had to go to the bathroom. Walmart was close by, so we went there. We had just gotten in front of the bathroom entrance and all of a sudden somebody ran up behind us and gave us these huge hugs from behind. And it was Bridgette!! What the flip?! Apparently she thought Florida was lame and had come back a few days before. We talked to her and her best friend, Katie, who has sit in on a lesson with her before. And we have an appointment to meet with both of them tonight. We are so excited! Heavenly Father's timing and placement is so amazing!

The rest of the week we spent visiting less-active members that other members in the ward have referred to us to visit. Our stake president talked at our district meeting on Friday. He pretty much talked about how our ward was the weakest in the stake -- but that is okay! -- and that we need to focus on helping the ward leaders in the rescue effort -- helping reactivate less-active and inactive members. So that is what we have and will continue to be doing. Lots of work to be done. And the rescue effort is going to be how we find new investigators along the way. It is all part of the Lord's work. 

I love being a missionary. The longer you are out, the more focused you become, and the better it gets. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ really do love us perfectly and God's hand is in every aspect of our lives, we just have to keep our eyes open. And when we are diligent and obedient, the Lord always blesses us. Even if it doesn't come when we want or expect it to. "I the Lord am bound when ye do what I say, but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." (D&C 82:10).

I hope you all have a great week! You are all amazing!

Love,

Sister Sylvester