Not what the Lord had planned

Well this week has been one of the most successful! We've been meeting with a less active couple for a few weeks now and they weren't progressing as much as they should've been. We were scared we might eventually have to drop them, which is frustrating cause they HAVE a testimony, they just didn't want to make the effort of getting up to go to church because its been easier for them to stay home. We prayed to know what they needed to get that motivation and decided to talk to them about the temple. We asked how they felt when they went and they both replied about how peaceful and cleansing it was. At the end of the lesson we invited them to prepare to enter the temple once again and they agreed. Keep them in mind, I'll refer to them later.

Second off, we stopped by this lady's house to leave her with a quick message when all of a sudden her roommates daughter came in and decided to participate in the lesson with us. We didn't really prepare a full on lesson, so I waited to see what my companion would come up with to talk about. Instead, she turned to me and asked what we should read out of the Book of Mormon. I thought for a second and decided that reading about the sacrament would be good! I told her what book and chapter and we began reading. I quickly realized that the chapter I told her had nothing to do with the sacrament...It was actually when Christ came to the ancient people in America for the first time and taught about baptism (3 Nephi 11). It was a powerful chapter. Both of the girls were very intrigued and the spirit was strong. At the end of our reading we felt and impressed to ask them to be baptized and they said YES!! They are golden! We haven't set a date but we are confident we can get them to soon! I know now that what I had planned to talk about in my head was not what the Lord had planned, and He made sure that we taught exactly what those girls needed to hear. It was a wonderful experience of following the spirit to know of others needs.

And now for Doug... this is the guy we've been teaching and haven't committed to a baptismal date yet... Well I can now say that that has officially changed! Doug is to be baptized on February 27th!!!! We are working double and over time to prepare him for this date, but he is progressing so well! We're still praying that everything will work out because you never know what can happen - Satan works hard on those who are close to the truth - but we have faith he can make it!!

Saturday was a day full of food....I have never been so painfully full in my life! We went to Golden Carrol with a recent convert of Sister Platt's and she had us eat and eat and eat! Which Is usually heaven for me, except the fact that right after we had an appointment with a Hispanic couple who had prepared a big lunch for us...not only this, but it was spicyyyyyy. Sister Platt and I literally pleaded with Heavenly Father to allow u enough room in our stomachs to eat it all and not offend them. He provided, but it was pretty close... the food started creeping its way back up towards the end so we hurry and finished up so we could get out before they offered more food!! We decided to walk around and tract to help digest our food because it was almost impossible to do anything else without wanting to hurl! In doing this, we met a man who wanted to come to our church (uhhh Prepared much?!) and then a girl who ran out of her house to greet us because "she knew God sent us to her and had a plan to help her"...I cant make this stuff up. We prayed with her and invited her to church and we already got a ride for her next Sunday to come.

So Sunday, aka Valentines Day, aka the most single awareness day I've ever had, roles around - but it really was a day filled with so much love! We showed up at church and slowly but surely people we've been teaching started filing in...1 family, 2 families, 3 families, 4! And who walks in but the less active couple I mentioned at the beginning. THEY CAME TO CHURCH! FINALLY!!! That entire sacrament meeting I was just beaming! I was excited that they had all come to church, yes, but I was more so excited that they were experiencing the kind of love, fellowshipping, and spirit they needed to continue to want to be active and draw closer to their Heavenly Father!

The blessings have been immense this week! I wish I had time to tell you more, cause there is so much more, but I don't. But I know that as we go about life, we must continue to read, pray, and serve others. This is key - and a commandment!!! - to having a joyful and fulfilling life. I appreciate your love and prayers and see the blessings everyday!

Love you guys sooooo much,
Sister Loyd