Special Gifts

Hiya all!

I won't over-exaggerate and say this week was so busy! It wasn't very busy at all, but we did see some good things come of it.

At one point during the week, we tried by Sylvia. She is a wonderful older woman that we met a week ago. We actually originally met her husband, Clifford, while tracting. When we visited them again, Sylvia held the Book of Mormon in her hand and told us it made her upset to read the book, and that the prospect of Joseph Smith didn't settle right with her. Ready to give us the Book back, we asked if she knew who Joseph Smith was and if she had read the Book of Mormon. To our surprise, she had never heard of Joseph Smith before or read the Book of Mormon. We expressed the great importance to study the scriptures, explained that the Book of Mormon is centered on Jesus Christ, and read with her Moroni 10:3-5, comparing it to James 1:5. Seeing this single instance, of which there are many more, where the Book of Mormon and Bible support each other, she came to the conclusion that she would take and read the book. Oh how happy Elder Rice and I were!!

After a few days, we decided to follow-up with Sylvia on how the reading went. We went to her house, and she lovingly let us into her home. We had a wonderful conversation and further discussed our beliefs with her. At the end of the lesson, she asked us if we lived on our own, and if we had to make our own food. We explained to her that we did... try to make our own food. But we also explained that many of the members are kind enough to feed us, as one family offered that evening. After explaining this to her, she told us that she didn't want to spoil our dinner, but that she had made a pie for us to have. How could we say no? Expecting a slice each, she came out bearing a gift of a whole apple pie! I can assure you that this pie was amazing!!

I know this story is just one small instance, but this one was a journal keeper, and not just because of the free food. Yes, mom, we are being taken care of over here! Not only my members, but many others about. This experience also grew my testimony of how the Holy Ghost, especially in combination with the scriptures, can soften a person's heart to the gospel, the good word of Christ. I know that God was preparing Sylvia and that the Holy Ghost played a large part in that first conversation with her on the doorstep.

I love you all!

Elder Burns

England Manchester Mission

Springwood, Suite G5

Booths Park

Chelford Road

Knutsford

England WA16 8GS
United Kingdom