So obviously the highlight of the week is that we had a baptism. Her name is Marnajah and she is 11-years-old. Her father is a convert of one year and was able to baptize her and confirm her. It made him so happy, it was quite a miracle. We've been seeing so many miracles this week, I'd like to talk about all of them but there is so many I doubt I'll be able to.
One of the most amazing things that happened this week is we met Lavara. And I'm actually happy that I have the chance to tell this story because whenever we want to tell this story my companions get super excited and I never get to tell it and I'm excited too. A while ago we got a referral from the Zone Leaders for this woman named Tia. We called her about five times and every single time she would answer and then say "I'll call you back" and then wouldn't. So we decided that we were just going to stop by her apartment. Well, when we knocked on the door it wasn't Tia it was Lavara, who was half asleep. We felt bad for bugging her so pretty much all we said was "Hi, we're the missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Would you be interested in hearing a message about Jesus Christ?" and she said yes. I honestly doubted her commitment but we got her information and set up an appointment for Friday anyway. When we came back for our appointment she wasn't home so we left a note and then left. She actually called that night! Nobody ever calls us. It was amazing. She told us that she was so grateful we left a number and that she tried to be home in time but couldn't get off of work on time. She made another appointment for the next day. So we went and visited her on Saturday. It was such a spiritual meeting. She told us right off the bat that she knew that we had something wonderful for her and that us being there was like Christmas. By the end of the lesson she was crying and said "I haven't felt this happy for a long time." We asked her to come to church and she said that she had obligations still but she knew it was true and came anyway.
We were actually able to meet this family too, the Mitchells. Most of the people we teach are poor but the Mitchells are very rich. Rich people aren't typically as interested but the Mitchells are very interested. I think they realized that they have money enough to buy anything that but yet something is missing their lives and their still not happy. Sister Mitchell was a inactive member of the church that made a call to get missionaries sent over and Brother Mitchell was only interested in learning more about us, not necessarily joining. They told us they were doing it for their four-year-old son. The two lessons that we've had with them have been incredibly powerful and has brought both of them to tears. It's honestly too hard to describe but he's going to get baptized at the end of this month. Brother Mitchell especially is exercising so much faith. He doesn't know for sure that it's true, he doesn't know if there's a God or if God loves him but he wants to believe it is so he acts on faith.
Two other amazing stories are the stories of both Danica's (one of our younger investigators mentioned in a previous email) and Marnajah's (check above) moms. Because both Danica and Marnajah are minors their moms have wanted to sit in on the lessons. Danica's mom's name is Vicki and when we first met her she admitted to us that the only reason that she was letting us over was because Danica wanted to be baptized and she believed in free agency. She told us she was against organized religion. But as we've been meeting with Danica and praying that Vicki's heart would be softened to Danica being baptized, she's not only been more open to that but also to the gospel. When Marnajah's dad was being baptized Marnajah's mom, Sherri, apparently caused some problems for him to the point that they were even separated. But she allowed us to teach Marnajah regardless and was impressed with what we were saying. The gospel has brought so much joy to her life and she's so happy we could baptize Marnajah. It's amazing that the love mothers have for their daughters work so well with the gospel.
One woman, Sumuthia, that we've been teaching only invited us over because she was stuck. She couldn't get a job because her husband is sick in bed with cancer and because she can't speak English very well. So when we came over she was only interested in learning English but she knows the Book of Mormon is true and it makes her so happy.
Many other miracles have happened this week many of which I don't have time describe. I am so incredibly blessed right now and so lucky that I get to be a part of this. God loves me so much and He loves me enough to allow me to be a part of this. I love you all so much!
Love,
Sister Ashley Naylor
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