Hello world! I am just on cloud 9 and I don't think I'm ever coming down. Honestly, I don't think I've ever been so happy. This past weekend I got to witness a family who I consider my own family begin the road to becoming eternal. Cynthia, the mother of my dear Su'a family was baptized and confirmed this weekend. I can't really convey at all what I felt during the whole thing, but I will try. The whole baptism just started out with a thick spirit. You could feel it in the room...just this warm, peaceful calm. I couldn't stop smiling. The whole room was in tears, and I couldn't hold them back either. I don't really remember many of the words that were said, but the feelings I felt there will never leave my memory. I watched Cynthia as tears just flowed and flowed as she was overjoyed that she finally decided to make this decision, after 18 long years of turning down the invitation. The part that got me most was watching her sweet husband shed tear after tear as he was overwhelmed by the pure joy that his wife had finally chosen the path he's wanted her to take for so long. The two of them were beaming with love and happiness as they both knew that they are now one step closer to going to the temple to be sealed to each other and their 6 daughters for time and all eternity. It was such a beautiful experience, and I can't stop thanking God for letting me be a witness of the entire process. I got to watch this family go from having nothing to do with the church, to coming every sunday, reading their scriptures together every night, and saying family prayer every day. I got to see the literal changing of heart that can take place, thanks to the Holy Ghost. I saw a mother who only laughed and rolled her eyes when her husband told us to "dunk her next", to eventually entering the waters of baptism, coming out with a heart that desires to serve God for the rest of her life. I got to see the promises God makes to us that living the gospel brings blessings, joy, and unity to families be fulfilled. As Ronny (the father) decided to change his life around, even so far as to quitting his job, he opened the windows of heaven for his family as he began to honor his baptismal covenants again. He took a huge leap of faith, and trusted that if he turned back towards God, God would bless his family with the things he so desperately wanted. And you know what? God did. He blessed that family in every way possible. He found a new job right away, they are happy, they are strong as a rock, and his wife finally softened her heart and now they are capable of becoming an eternal family next year. I'm really just speechless when I try to describe how incredible it is to me that all of this is actually real. Every promise, every word of counsel, every commandment we read in the scriptures and hear from the prophets is actually real. This stuff works. I saw it for myself, and now I can't ever deny that these things are true. Living the gospel brings joy and blessings. The Holy Ghost can soften hearts. The Lord works in His own time, and in His own ways. The priesthood really is restored to earth and we are capable of making covenants with God, which allows Him to bless us if we keep them. The Atonement is real. Even though we may mess up, maybe even for a really long time, we can always come back, always be forgiven, and become someone new and better. These things aren't just words people! It actually happens! And I am so grateful God showed me this, and I'll never forget it. I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week!Love, Soeur Shields
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November 2015
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