The First Prayer

This week was a good week. Lots of good things are happening around Fremont.

Spiritual: we had a very sacred experience the other day. We met a man who was taking out the trash. We spoke to him for a little about what he was doing. He was helping his neighbor while he was in China. We talked to him a lot about what we do as missionaries and we felt impressed to start speaking to him about how the gospel blesses families. When we spoke about that something struck a chord in him. He started to really listen and pay attention. We set up another time to come back and meet with him some more and he agreed. We told him that one thing he could do before we came again was to pray and we asked him if he had ever prayed before. We invited him to do it right there in the middle of his friend’s driveway. He told us he was from China and they don't teach that there. We encouraged him and gave him an example. He finally prayed. It was one of the most simple yet powerful prayers I have ever heard before. In broken English he asked God to bless his family. His first prayer ever before. Wow. After we asked him how he felt, he said that he was relaxed and felt really good. We testified of the Spirit and the comfort it gives us. I am so lucky to be here with these kinds of experiences taking place.

Funny: we met the funniest little 82 year old lady the other day. We were going over to our investigator’s house and we rang the bell. This little old Hispanic lady come s to the door. We say hi and ask her what her name is. She stares us down and bluntly says "the Virgin of Guadeloupe." Oh! That's nice! How are you doing today? “Good." That's great to hear. She then went on to tell us that she was old. She said she was really old. We were polite and told her that she didn't look that old and that she looked a lot younger. She said "yes. I get that a lot. I have a wrinkle free face, but I have all these tortillas hanging off of my arms." I have never heard arms described like that.

When our investigator came down we were dying with laughter. It was a funny contact. Needless to say she is very Catholic being the Virgin of Guadeloupe and does not want to change.

Where I am at: things are good here! We are working harder and harder and we are seeing the Lord’s hand more and more. We are excited for miracles to come. I love you all!