"The Only Prayer that Matters" - April 11, 2022

 Hello Family and Friends!! It was quite a lovely week here in Beckley! 

First, we have transfers this week and I will be staying in Beckley! Sister Smith will be leaving, sadly, but I am getting two more companions! Sister Smith has been an absolutely amazing person to serve with and I am extremely sad to see her go, but the Lord has more in store for her! She will do amazing in her new area!

Guess what?! Our friend Andrew has his baptismal interview on Thursday!! Sister Smith and I are very excited for him! Also, I realize I haven't been good about keeping everyone updated on our friends here in West Virginia. So, let me tell you about Andrew! He was previously taught by missionaries but lost contact for sometime with them. But a few months ago he called up the missionaries in a different area and asked to be taught again! He was referred to Sister Smith and her companion here in Beckley! He was progressing really well for about three months but then some things happened with his family and his progression was haunted, but only momentarily!! When I came to Beckley he was still not doing super well. However, about 2 weeks ago when we called him he said he wanted to keep progressing and work towards his baptism!!! We have been finishing the last few lessons with him and helping him quit smoking!! Please keep Andrew in your prayers! After his interview we will be setting a date for him!! He is so amazing and loves God so much. 

We had to drop Curtis this week. He is very busy with his schoolwork right now and is not keeping the commitments we extend to him. Sister Smith and I met with him last Wednesday and decided that right now we need to give him some time. It's hard to make a decision like that with our friends. We know this gospel can bless them so much if they will let it! Misty is also really struggling right now. She really needs prayers. Sister Smith and I have done our best to explain agency and choice to her. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is a hospital for those needing healing, it is not a perfect church for perfect people. If you are struggling please consider learning more about Christ and coming closer to Him! He is the Healer of ALL our wounds and He can help us.

"The Only Prayer that Matters" by Nashville Tribute Band. Heavenly Father is so amazing!!! This past week was a hard one! I was feeling very homesick for my family and continuously prayed for Heavenly Father's help. On Friday, as I was getting ready for the day, I turned on this song. I've never understood what it was talking about until Friday! It was like a light bulb turned on in my head! The song says,
"The only prayer that matters is the prayer that the Father fills me with the Pure Love of His Son."
This song is talking about Charity - the Pure Love of Christ. We cannot be self centered and selfish as missionaries. We are not serving missions for ourselves, we are serving missions for Jesus Christ. This is His work. I get to help with it. When we have charity we focus more on those around us and how we can help them. This has completely changed how I have been viewing my mission. People often quote a phrase from one of our past prophets, Gordon B. Hinckley. "Forget yourself and go to work." WHAT does that even mean???!!!! Well, I figured it out! It means having Charity and Love for others. Of course, it can mean different things for everyone but that's what it means for me. Now, Heavenly Father is so amazing because multiple times I have prayed to understand how to forget myself and multiple times He has given me the answer!! But! I wasn't recognizing it. God never gives up on us. He continuously helps us! How can you have more Charity for those around you this week?

I hope you all have a charitable week!!! Talk to y'all next Monday!


- Sister Sariah Francis





Pictures!!!
Sunrise one morning this week

Sister Smith and I

The Beard Oil we made at a members home

In our work clothes to make lotions and beard oil

Charleston Zone





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