N.'s baptism was so miraculous! We had a couple of nonmember families there and less-actives that we called up and invited. I can't believe they came and even showed up in sacrament meeting yesterday! The ward really came together and even those that participated couldn't believe what a huge turnout there was! D. came and LOVED it. He told us all about the great feelings he had when he came. I hope he'll be able to feel the love from his new-found family.
Sis. J. and I felt like we could have N. be baptized as long as our faith in the ward didn't die. His baptism was wonderful! But now the hard work of helping them remain fully active in the ward has begun. We decided that we needed to do something differently in the way we worked with the ward council. We put together a "priorities" list that goes along with the progress record--an idea inspired by our wonderful mission president. It is a short list of the people we are working with in order of priority. It has their status, goals, and a simple action plan of things we need delegated or completed by the end of ward council. It worked out super well! It not only was efficient--but it made ward council effective. Each auxiliary leader has a delegated duty that we can follow-up on to help involve the ward in retention, fellowship, and finding :) I'm so excited to keep using it! I've learned a TON about what makes an effective ward council. Can't wait to use this for the rest of my life!
MIRACLE!
Did I tell you about this one yet?? It is SO AWESOME. You know J.? Fun story. He was so happy the other day--and we were so confused. So he told us what happened....
This whole story starts with J. having an eye infection. It was very stressful because J. doesn't have funds for eye surgery--but his doctor wouldn't give him any more medication until he went in to an eye surgeon to get it checked. So he finally buckled down and with a lot of heaviness of heart decided to get a loan in order to pay for his business AND surgery check-ups.
He was given a long list of optometrists in Houston to go see. He picked one name off the list and went in to see him. The optometrist he had gone to see unfortunately was not there and so a different one was assigned to check J.'s eyes.
J. then proceeded to tell us how incredible this optometrist was. He went on and on about how gracious and kind and wonderful this man was. He told us that the optometrist had given J. lots of medication and looked at his eyes with a minimal cost. He went on and on about how this man saved him so much money that J. no longer needed a loan.
I just sat there and had a thought. It was one of those "mind filled with pure intelligence" moments that pretty much revealed to me what J.'s answer would be before I even asked the question
"J., what was this optometrist's name?"
"um....Dr. H."
I think I should have been astonished or amazed or surprised or SOMETHING--but it didn't even phase me. I simply KNEW he was going to say Dr. H.
You are all probably super confused. Let me explain.
Dr. H. is the ward Elder's Quorum President.
Let me further explain
J. was struggling to make it to church for a few reasons. Not having friends, stress about finance and one of his biggest concerns was simply he lacks the faith that being a part of this church would help him receive blessings.
The fact that Dr. H.--who is one of the most incredible people I know--was able to touch and pretty much CHANGE J.'s life is a direct blessing tied to the true church of Jesus Christ--simply because Bro. H. is a member of said church and lives the Gospel.
Bro. H. in that moment was a walking testimony to J. that living the Gospel creates incredible men and women. Not only that--but Bro. H. is a direct blessing for J. tied to THIS church with these ordinances and THIS priesthood.
If that isn't a distinct sign from Heaven--I don't know what is.
Back to the story.
We looked at J. and said "Bro H. is in our ward."
J. couldn't believe it. Not after all that confusion with which doctor to see--not after all the mix-ups and random series of events. How is it even POSSIBLE that out of the HUNDREDS of optometrists in Houston--Bro. H. was the one. (side note: Bro H. is probably the only optometrist in Houston that would have saved J. hundreds of dollars).
I have been so incredibly astonished by the tender mercies of the Lord. J. has completely changed since then. He came to church yesterday FILLED with light. Literally. I can't even explain it. He even told us that he wants to come every single week because of the way he feels here. He also just LOVES Bro. H.
I just love the Lord :)
I love this Gospel. It is true. The atonement is real. Relief from guilt and pain are accessible. It doesn't matter who you've been. It matters who you are. It doesn't take someone with the greatest amount of self-determination and will-power--it takes faith in Christ. Anyone can be amazing. Everyone IS. They just need to remember. :)
I love you!
-Sister Thompson
