A Week Of Miracles!

Area: Montpelier/Cokeville

Companion: Sister Parker

Okay family, get ready for this amazing super long (I hope) email! There has been so much that has gone on this past week and I hope that I have enough time to write about it all! I am just going to jump right into the week and then if I have time, I would like to share some things with you all that I have read this past week. Okay, here we go.

So, do you all remember me talking about our investigator last week named Armando? He is Peruvian and is very interested in the church. Well, anyways. We have been able to meet with him about three times since the last email that I sent you. And oh boy, I have so much to tell you about him. Well, Monday night we were having a lesson with him and he was telling us about how he has dreams/visions when he is sleeping. He was telling us about a dream that he had about a month or so ago. He was in Wyoming at the time and he had a dream that there was this guy who came up to him and gave him some papers that he had never seen before. Well, a few days later, a guy came up to him and handed him the same exact papers that were in his dreams and they were his citizenship papers. He also told us that he had a dream about Sister Parker and I. Just one of the two of us and he didnt really go into detail about it. Well, he then goes on to say that he had a dream of me. And in this dream, I was standing next to a man and he described the man and as he was, I pulled out a picture of Christ and showed it to him and he said that that was the man in his dream but that he was wearing white. So, I showed a picture of Christ and the second coming, dressed in white. He said, yes, that is the man. So, in his dream, I was standing next to Jesus Christ and we were leading Armando somewhere. And, he also said that I was wearing the same exact outfit in the dream that I was wearing that night. I had never worn that around him. I thought that was so super cool! To be in someone's dream standing next to Christ. Well, that was all cool and dandy, until the next visit. Which was still kinda cool, but it did get a little more weird... Armando had another dream about me. And this time we were both dressed in white and we were going to the temple. I was not sure what to say to that. And thank goodness that it was at the end of the lesson. So, I told him that I would pray about it to know of what to say to him. So, I prayed that night... A lot. And the answer that I received was that I knew him in Heaven before we came to this earth and I was sent here to Montpelier to find him. So, I took that as an answer and I went to bed. Well, the next day, I was starting my studies and I prayed again to know of what to think about the dream and I was lead to these verses in Genesis Chapter 20.

3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man’s wife.

4 But Abimelech had not come near her: and he said, Lord, wilt thou slay also a righteous nation?

5 Said he not unto me, She is my sister? and she, even she herself said, He is my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.

6 And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.

Yes, I know weird verses. And, I know I am not married, but it just confirmed the answer I had received the previous night... And it prepared me also for what happened in our next lesson. We saw Armando last night and oh goodness. It was a little awkward. I told Armando the answer I had received about knowing him in Heaven before. And he agreed and he also talked about how he wanted to marry me... And after he said that, it made me think. Hmm, maybe this guy likes me. Super awkward. And I realized so many things, such as he only wanting to hear my testimony and not my companions, he telling me I am beautiful... I was not sure what to do. Oh, and he is probably about in his 40's. Anyways. I called the zone leaders last night and they said to not ever talk about his dreams and to be sure that if he does say something about wanting to marry me, to tell him that its a no go and that I cant haha. I told them that I hope this doesnt mean that I am getting transferred and they said.. President Brinkerhoff can see all of the great work that you and Sister Parker are doing in Montpelier. So, I have a feeling I might get to finish my mission here? Lol anyways, that is my story with Armando. It was cool at first then became super awkward. :)

Next, I would like to talk about our TWO new investigators that we found this week. One is the Stoddards, and one is Eva. They are both super cool! Eva is more golden than the Stoddards, so I will end with her. Haha But, we were walking down the street a few weeks ago and we saw two people outside their house and they were smoking. Well, we decided to go over and see them and talk to them and ask if they wanted to know more about the gospel. Well, they said that that week was not good because they had some medical things that they needed to take care of. But, they said that we could come back. So, we went back this week and they were open to us coming in the house and they are so sweet! I love them both. Brother Stoddard is a member of the church and Sister Stoddard is not. They are both Baptist now and they are very into their church... Even though they dont go to church. :) Makes sense. Well, Brother Stoddard said that he does not believe in some of the teachings. And we asked his what they were. And they all had to do with the people and nothing to do with the gospel. So I am thinking that he was very much offended when he was younger. Oh, and something cool happened. They were talking about how so many people would tell them that it talks in the Bible about the Book of Mormon. And that these people would always talk about it and they could never find the scripture. Well, guess who has been studying the scriptures and knew where that scripture was!?! This sister missionary!  Isiah 29:11-12

11 And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:

12 And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.

YEAHH! They didnt really have anything to say. They dont believe in the Book of Mormon. or the Pearl of Great Price or the Doctrine and Covenants. But, I think that their hearts are softening a little bit! :) YAY! At first when I met Brother Stoddard, I thought that he was a grumpy old man... But he is super cool! Kinda like when dad had his mustache... People thought he was a grumpy old man, but then they would get to know him and he was the most awesomest funniest person ever! Yeah, Like that! :) But, We are starting to teach them and I am excited about it. We are actually helping them with service tonight. Oh, and we left them with the plan of salvation and gospel of Jesus Christ pamphlets. Sister Stoddard said that she would read them. I am not sure about Brother Stoddard though. Fingers crossed! :)

Now time for Eva! She is awesome! She was a referral from a member and we contacted her the day that we received the referral but she told us to come back. So, we did. And she invited us in and she was very open to talking with us. We asked her about her religion and she said that she was Christan Science. And I asked her what they believe in because I was not really sure. And she said that they believe in healing and not using doctors. I was intrigued and asked her what some of her healings have been and she said that she has had a lot but she could not come up with any. So, I shared with her about the Priesthood and about how I have been sick and was healed through the power of the priesthood. Well, we continued to talk and visit with her. And she said that she was interested in learning more. And we asked if she would like a copy of the Book Of Mormon and she said yes. Well, funny story, I had a very strong prompting to put a copy of the Book Of Mormon in my bad that morning and it came more than once. And guess what? I didnt put one in my bag. And my companion did not have one either. So, we went home and got her one and brought it back to her. Well, we came back for a return appointment and we were visiting with us and she said that she has been reading the Book Of Mormon and that she has been enjoying it. And we testified of the truthfulness of it and told her to pray to find out for herself it is true and she said that she would. Well, we also invited her to be baptized when she knows the church is true and she said that she wanted to think about it more. And she also told us that she smokes, drinks coffee and tea. And we told her that as she comes closer to the Savior that she will want to quite and not feel like she has to. It was a very good lesson and the spirit was there. We have another appointment with her this Thursday! :)

Guess what! We had a lesson with Edward! I love lessons with Edward! The spirit is always so strong! We were able to teach the Restoration and it was super good. He enjoyed it. We used cups to teach the restoration. All of you are probably thinking... What? Dont worry, I will show you the restoration with cups when I get home. :) But It is way cool! Anyways, at the end of the lesson, we were going to invite him to read the introduction to the Book Of Mormon and he said that he has already read it... Haha he was so happy when he realized that he was ahead of us. :) But, when we were closing, we sang a song for them and then I put my hymn book away and I saw my patriarchal blessing and I had a light bulb come on! And I asked Edward if  he had his and he said no, but that he was thinking about getting it the other day! What the heck!? The spirit strikes again! Being led and guided by the Spirit is a wonderful thing! :) Dont worry, there are more stories to come that have the spirit in it! :)

Here is the next story about the Spirit! We were meeting with a guy named Matt. And we were sitting outside his house with his daughter, because we cant go inside because she is only 13. Anyways, we were talking about him going to church and all of that fun stuff and becoming active in the church again. He had some problems a few years back with drinking, but he has been clean for about three years now. And he has been thinking about going to church but has never gone. So, we invited him and he said that he would come. And, we left something for him to read. The chapter that came to my mind was Alma 5. So, we left that chapter with him to read. And well, he read it and he went to church today. Sadly, we were not able to go to his ward. But, he said that everything that was talked about in sacrament went right along with what he had read. Okay, can I just say that the Spirit works in so many wonderful ways? How was I suppose to know that they were going to talk about Alma 5 in sacrament meeting? I didnt, only the Spirit would know! :) And again, the Spirit strikes! :) 

So, another cool story about the Spirit... :) We were in Cokeville and we were trying to figure out who to go see. Well, our back up plan was to go see a lady named Mindy. Okay, sadly, and I hate to say this, I dont really like to visit with her just because she really has not life to her and she does not know how to carry on a conversation and it is really awkward. So, we decided to go see a family that lived next to the seminary building. Well, we go over there and guess who was there? Mindy. She did not live there last time we went to see her. So, we went in and we visited with her. And it went so well. I really enjoyed visiting with her. She is so sweet and we had a lot to talk about. We talked about marriage, because she had just come out of a divorce and we were talking about how as members of the church, they dont get divorces as much as people who are not members and we decided that was because, as members of the church, when we get married, we have forever in mind and we see it as an eternal marriage, not just a here on earth marriage. And those who are not members, or are not active, they dont see it like that. They see it as, well, if things do not work out then we can just get divorced. She never thought of it that way and she said that it really helped her see the eternal prospective of things. And she was very happy that we had stopped by to visit with her. Yes, you guess right, the Spirit knew that we needed to see her and we were led to her, even though we did not want to see her.

So, yesterday, we had the opportunity to go to the nursing home and to speak to those who are there. And that was such a neat experience. I loved it. I talked about having faith as our anchor and I took a lot of my talk out of the book by Elder M. Russell Ballard, "Our Search For Happiness". That is such a good book. I suggest all to read it! :) I loved giving that talk and the SPIRIT was so strong. It was wonderful. And, something awesome! The one who was in charge of music told us that she had a special musical number for the meeting but that it had canceled very last minute and that she was not able to get someone to replace them. She we offered and we sang for the special musical number! It went really well! :) 

Well, as I thought, I dont really have time to talk about the things that I have read this week. But I hope that share some things with you next week. I love you all so much and I hope that you all have a wonderful week! :) I hope that you enjoyed this super really long email! :) And, I hope that it wasnt too much for you to read! Lol I love you! :) Stay wonderful and amazing! :)

Love,

Sister Ashley Halbison