Gros Bonjour à tout le monde! It was an incredible week. I'd like to start by giving you a little definition found in the bible dictionary for one of my favorite words... MIRACLES: Miracles should not be regarded as deviations from the ordinary course of nature so much as manifestations of divine or spiritual power. They are intended to be a proof that Jesus is the Christ. Miracles were and are a response to faith and its best encouragement. They are never wrought without prayer, felt need, and faith. Miracles are a part of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If miracles cease it is because faith has ceased. My dear family and friends, our God is a God of miracles! His church is a living church. This means that the unthinkable, the improbable, and the seemingly impossible feats of life can and do happen! This is not just a thing that we read about in the bible, these miraculous manifestations of God still happen today. But as the scriptures tell us, they are wrought by prayer and faith. That is something Sister Monson and I do together a lot--pray for miracles and have faith they will come to pass. That's what we all can do! It works, I promise. I've kept a little journal every day of my mission where I write down a miracle I saw that day. This week especially it was chalk full of things I never thought I'd be writing. Let me tell ya about it. First I'll tell you about two inactive sisters. We had rdvs fixed with both of them this past week. We knew that with one of the sisters we would especially have to help her feel very loved and appreciated in order for her to hear us out. Well we got to her house and it was chaotic as she had been babysitting her grandkids for the past 3 days, and said she hadn't even had time to go get groceries and had nothing to give the kids. So, we volunteered to go grab her groceries for her. She so gratefully accepted and so we went and did that for her. One of my favorite things in the world is to see the light and joy that comes over one's face when you've been able to make their day in such a simple way. Long story short, with both of these two sisters, we made sure to follow up on Saturday about their plans to get to church. The follow up is so important! But anyways, yesterday at church, two more seats were filled with two more daughters of God. Lost sheep returning to the fold is a huge miracle. But it doesn't stop there! We took our amie Saipo to a sister's home in our ward for lunch. (Have I mentioned yet how important it is that you invite the missionaries to your home WITH their investigators? Because it makes all the difference.) On the way to her home, Saipo told us two amazing accomplishments without us even asking her about it. Keep in mind for about the past 10 chapters in the BOM we've been having to read them to her, because she has a hard time picking it up on her own. Also keep in mind that about a month ago we briefly brought up the word of wisdom to her. She said she would never be able to stop drinking tea. Well, out of the blue, she says to us, "I read the next chapter in the BOM. And I've decided I'm going to stop drinking tea." Our joy was so great. When an ami is willing to read their scriptures and break addictions, it is a miracle. And our little faithful Saipo was at church again yesterday. We will be trying to fix a baptismal date with her this week. Please pray for her! Also, since our lunch with her sister last week, her sister hasn't said anything about "staying away from the Mormons." I think her heart was really softened, which is another great miracle. Next comes two of my favorite people in the entire world--David and Silvia. Their progress is just out of control. I don't know if I've ever seen a more vivid example of the joy that comes with living the gospel principles. This couple went from being kind of at rock bottom to being the most delightful, in love, and bubbly people I know. First of all, on Saturday our ward had a temple trip. David and Silvia went along just to be able to see the temple. How cool is that! And during our lesson with them this past week, they told us they do FHE, scripture study, prayer, and have even begun to jam out to Motab on Sunday mornings! We invited them to read the gospel principles lesson before Sunday, so they could participate more in class. Then yesterday at church in our gospel principles class, they had kept that commitment and were giving some of the most wonderful insights on the lesson! The lesson was about fasting, and they even came up and told us on their own that they'll fast next week! They are superstars. Keeping commandments makes people happy! If you think I'm done, you're wrong. Our sweet amie Nadia is also on fire. She too went on the ward temple trip on Saturday! She felt a very special spirit there and is continuously eager to learn more and more. She soaks up everything like a sponge and lives and studies the gospel so faithfully. We rarely teach Muslims because it can be a seemingly impossible chance that they'll ever convert. But she is a living example that this gospel is for all, and any heart can be changed by the spirit of God. Lastly, our ami Gwen did indeed finish the BOM this week! He accomplished his 30 day challenge. That alone is a huge miracle. After he finished, he prayed to know if it's all true. He still feels like he hasn't received a clear answer, but that hasn't stopped him. He is now reading lots of conference talks that are helping him learn how the spirit works and how answers to prayers come. He still comes to church. He still prays. He is still doing what it takes to find his answer. He isn't giving up, and that is another wonderful miracle. Yesterday in church I gave a talk about what I've learned on my mission. What I told everyone was that on a mission, you learn that people can change. You yourself as the missionary learn how much better you can become. You also learn that no matter who you are or where you've been, the atonement works for everyone, and can change anyone. You get to see the gospel of Jesus Christ change hearts and minds. This is one of the most beautiful and joyful processes to be a witness of. However, these changes that we get to see in our friends, are not wrought about without us first wearing out our knees in praying for them. These changes are not possible without our constant love being shown to them. Differences are not made without us being bold and teaching these souls the right way. All in all, these miracles can not take place if we don't do something to demonstrate our faith to God that we believe that through Him, all things are possible. And then we thank Him...a lot. I love you all and hope you have a great week! Love, Soeur Shields
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