"The Miracle" - August 8, 2022

August 08, 2022

Well, hello, family and friends!

This week was great! We had another amazing lesson with our friend Teresa this week! We'll call her Teresa 2, she's the one we found last week, haha! We shared the Restoration message with her and she cried when we talked about living, modern prophets. It was a wonderful, spirit-filled lesson! We invited her to read the Book of Mormon and pray about the things we had shared. She asked us some questions about things she had read online! We were able to clear up some of the confusion she had, haha! The best place to learn more about what we, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, believe is to either ask us directly or go to churchofjesuschrist.org!

Later that day we had a wonderful lesson with a sweet member in the ward! She has been less active for some time. We asked who she could share the gospel with and she said her son, who lives with her! She said she could start by asking if they could pray before eating at meals! We said that would be a great way to help bring the Spirit to the home! She got super excited and immediately jumped up and went to ask him! Sister Holt and I were so impressed! Sadly, he didn't want to do that but she said she would try just writing a simple note with one of her favorite scriptures. We also invited her to come to church! And she did!! It was so wonderful seeing her walk through the church doors! She stayed for both hours of church and said she would try to come to the Relief Society activity on Wednesday as well! Sister Holt and I are so excited for her!

Wednesday was great! We went over to share a message with Melissa, Krista and Shawn. We ended up just doing a Book of Mormon study with Melissa and Krista! It was on 1 Nephi 15 because that is where they currently are! It was so wonderful being able to witness to them of the gathering of Israel and how it is happening right now! We also got to review the Tree of Life vision with them from earlier chapters in the Book of Mormon. Afterwards Melissa said she loved doing the Book of Mormon studies with us because we helped make everything so clear! I know that it is because the Spirit is with Sister Holt and I. The Holy Ghost is able to speak through us to them so they can understand the words we read.

On Thursday we had exchanges! Sister Haynes came to Beckley with me! Sister Holt went up to Charleston with Sister Evans! We had a wonderful day! We talked and laughed so much! We also met a guy who knows one of the members up in Charleston, where Sister Haynes is! It was so awesome! We had a lesson with Teagan! He is so ready to be baptized! We stopped by a less active families home to see if we could set up a lesson with them! They are the cutest!! The mom asked if we could come over for dinner, too! So, this Thursday we will be heading over! We ended exchanges on Friday at District Council! Sister Haynes is such an amazing missionary! I'm so grateful I get to serve with her!

We had the Zone Leaders come to District Council this week, Elder Balmforth and Elder Clark! It was awesome! They were doing exchanges with the Oak Hill Elders. They taught a powerful lesson on having faith in our purpose. What amazing examples of Jesus Christ! They both taught with the Spirit and it was incredible learning from them.

Our friend Brenda is doing great. We met with her and her daughter, Wanda! They enjoyed hearing the message of the Restoration. We invited them to read the Book of Mormon and pray about what we had shared. Please keep them in your prayers!

JAMES MESSAGED US BACK! It has been a month since we have heard anything from James and Kayla! But James messaged us this week! He told us about what was going on. His health hasn't been the greatest recently so we said we would pray for him. He then asked if we could have others pray for him. So, please pray for James, everyone! We aren't sure what's going on with Kayla, but at least we have contact with James, once again!

Saturday and Sunday were cool days! We knocked into a guy from South Carolina who had served his mission here in West Virginia, converted to a different religion, met his wife and now lives here! It was crazy! But it was also nice. It was cool having someone recognize who we were as missionaries! We also were led to a family to teach! We have been praying to find one this transfer! Please keep them in your prayers! They will hopefully come to church this next Sunday! We then met a nice guy named Michael! We shared the Restoration message with him and he was super excited about the Book of Mormon! The work is moving forward here in Beckley!

Song of the Week: "The Miracle" by Shawna Edwards. I love this song because of how it talks about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and how it's a miracle! Even as a missionary I make mistakes. But through Christ's Atonement I can be forgiven. I can try again to be better! We talk a little about miracles this week in District Council. The greatest miracle Christ performed was for all of us! He suffered for us, died for us and rose again for us! I am so grateful for Jesus Christ and the chance I have to be sharing this message with the people of West Virginia!

I hope everyone has a miracle filled week! Talk to y'all next Monday!

- Sister Sariah Francis

Pictures!!!