Miracles!!!

I cannot thank my family enough for helping me have such a wonderful Birthday last Tuesday! It was such a wonderful day full of surprises and happiness. So thank you to all!!!!!!!

There were so many miracles that happened this week. The first miracle I want to tell you about is the opportunity I had to go to the temple. All I have to say is "WOW" it was such a powerful experience and I honestly cannot wait to go back!!!! I was in tears at so many different points during the session. I definitely felt the spirit so much stronger than I have before. I am so grateful that our week worked out in planning so that I could attend the temple. Its such a strength to me to be able to attend. The other miracles of the week is that we received 2 member referrals this week! One came from a member in Utah the other is a friend in our ward. The Utah referral gave us his friend. He said that she is going through a really hard time and doesn't know where else to turn. We called her right after to schedule an appointment and left a message. Miraculously enough she called back!!!! We set up a meeting time!!! ;D When we met this girl we found her very willing to listen. We just spent time talking to her and doing a little bit of a how to begin teaching session. We told her our purpose and what we taught, that we talk about Jesus Christ and that what we teach would bring her profound peace. We set another appointment for Saturday night. When we arrived she was even more eager to have us there. She shared with us that since her divorce she hasn't had much peace in her life but that since we left on Thursday night she has felt more peace. ;D We were so excited. We taught her the restoration and during the first vision her eyes were fixed on Sister Kemp as she was talking. The spirit was so strong and I know she felt it. As we talked about The Book of Mormon I sensed her softening quite a bit. When we were done we continued talking about some of her past experiences with feeling happy, lasting happiness. She shared that on her wedding day she felt happiness but since the divorce she will never be able to look back on that day and feel happy memories. I felt the spirit very strongly prompting me to promise her that if she were to read the BOM then she would find a lasting happiness because God loves her and wants her to be happy. I started crying while testifying and promising her these things. I know she felt the promise touch her heart because I saw it in her eyes. She was eager to accept our commitments and told us that she has never met any church people as enthusiastic as we are about what we believe. It sounds like it has made a real difference for her! It was a powerful lesson and I truly felt the Lords direction. She came to church yesterday and really enjoyed it! Also a ward member invited us to dinner with her to be invited as well. Guess what?! She came and when we left she stayed to talk with our ward member!!!!!! So amazing!

On Wednesday we got a text from our institute director saying that we needed to hurry over to the institute because there was an investigator at the lunch that was going on. We couldn't get there immediately and missed her. However her best friend was there and started telling us all about this promising potential investigator. Her friend has been attending the Book of Mormon institute class. Also she totally came to church 2 Sundays ago and none of us realized she wasn't a member!!!!!!! We were also told that she has been talking to another friend and told him that she was interested in talking to the missionaries but didn't know how to go about doing it.!!! We got all her information then left. When we got in the car Sister Kemp and I just let our jaws drop. We sat in silence for a little bit then started asking questions like, "Did that just happen?" We were in awe and recognized very quickly that the Lords hand has been in our week. About an hour later this guy friend called to tell us about this girl. We eventually decided to text her and we quickly set an appointment. Our appointment went well and she is eager to continue learning. She also came to church and told Sister Kemp that one day as she was driving she was stuck at a really long red light. She decided to pray while waiting. When she was done with her prayer she opened her eyes. Right in front of her were two Elders crossing the road and they waved at her. She took it as a sign that God had heard her prayer. What her prayer was about we aren't sure but we know it was a good experience for her. It has just been an amazing week for us! So we got 2 investigators this week and had a rare 3 member presents.

Oh yeah!!! Our Bishop has totally come through on what he wants to see happen in our ward! He gave us 10 names to start concentrating on and we talked about other names in the ward for ward missionaries. Plus he has asked the auxiliary's to be missionary oriented from now on. Its absolutely amazing!!!!! I am so excited for all the changes that are going on in our ward!!!!!! I am super nervous that the Lord will have me moved before I can see the benefits in our ward happen. However I know that the Lord will not let things fail. It is His work and He will help it happen using the right individuals as instruments in His hands.

I love this work and I am so happy to be a missionary right now! I hope all of you have a wonderful time this week!!!!!!!!!!!! Hurrah for Israel!

Love,

Sister Cottrell