This week has been full of miracles; the kind that I wouldn't have expected, observed, or remembered if I hadn't been taught how to do so by President and Sister Wilkey at our Specialized Zone Training Meeting this last Thursday in Exeter.
Well, in this training, we learned all about having the faith required to bring to pass many miracles, how to observe them, and the importance of remembering them (journals and such). We also learned A LOT about a whole new organization system using white boards and funnel shapes to be able to visually map out the conversion, activation, and retention progress in our areas (we learned a format and then were committed to redesigning it to meet the needs of our area). So in the way of being obedient to this commitment and diligent in our work, we went straight to Staples after our meetings and searched for white boards. After a while of searching and working with a sales associate, we found that the prices were far too high for our missionary budgets. We decided to try laminated poster sheets instead; so we went to talk to the printing associates for help. Within minutes, we found that the main associate there was a less-active man and he became excited to help us out in getting us the best/biggest sizes possible. At that time, the previous sales associate came up to us with a large size white board that he said he was able to grab for us for $10. As excited as we were, we called the Portsmith Elders to see if they would like some as well, and within minutes the employee brought out 2 for each of our areas (4 total). Then, the man in the printing area used his employee discount and gift cards to buy all 4 white boards for us; and when we asked how much we owed him, he just smiled and said, "good luck with the work!" And as a way of observing and remembering this miracle, we called it in to our Zone Leaders immediately so that it could be shared with the whole Zone.
EXETER ZONE MIRACLE!!!
So then, the next night, after working so hard to get everything set up and organized, we witnessed to more miracles! First, at one house, after having a lesson about how we can receive revelation through going to church, we had the opportunity of inviting the father to come to church (he has only gone to church once, a long time ago) and he committed to being there this Sunday! After that lesson, we had a dinner appointment with a newly married couple, and right as we were leaving, they handed us a bag full of frozen hamburger patties and hot dogs. Now just the day before, after the Zone Training meeting, there were a bunch of random left-over hamburger and hot dog buns that Sister Wilkey kept trying to get me to take; as much as I refused, she persisted and said something along the lines of, "you never know when you might get some hamburgers and hot dogs, and then you'll really be wishing you had taken the buns." Well sure enough, that happened, and as I told the sister about what had occurred the day before, she said, "Wow, I just got the chills," and I said, "ya, that's because we just saw a miracle."
Then Saturday came, and it was Elder Ahumada's birthday. I had been stressing a bit to set up some surprises for him throughout the day, and we witnessed the miracles of two families who surprised us both with their generosity and loving care as they each held a party for Elder Ahumada. And as we went to the first party during the afternoon, worked the rest of the day, and finished with the other party that night, we both saw the miracles of two families who loved us so enough to do so much for us.
Plus, that night, after Elder Ahumada finished opening up his presents, I got to open up a present of my own. I got an early birthday present from Mom and Dad: a nuvi 1300 lmt Garmin GPS!!! It's exactly what I wanted, it's the greatest thing ever, and it came at such a PERFECT time for us to be able to really get our area organized and bring forth more successful work.
Oh and it's not over yet. Yesterday, at church, we had 5 investigators present!!! It was been a week full of miracles, but it was only possible through our faith and humility in having an open mind to view these miracles. So I learned that miracles happen everyday, especially little ones that we seem to overlook, but if we are obedient and diligent in things, have the faith that miracles will happen, and are humble enough to witness them, then we will see the hand of the Lord in all things, everyday. And if we are to remember them, and share them, our faith will grow and we will be able to witness the many miracles which are to come.
Well, I hope the things I have learned this week will be able to help you all to see how the Lord truly is guiding your life everyday.
I know that our Heavenly Father is a God of Miracles.
From New England with so much love,
Elder Dustin Carr
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