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Something that stood out to me this week in my studies was Isaiah 41:10. It was the inspiration for one of the verses of How Firm a Foundation. I really love the powerful words of "Fear thou not; for I am with thee... for I am thy God". It makes me think of "Be still and know that I am God." All things are in his control and I need not worry about every little thing. In the words of President Gordon B Hinckley, "It will all work out".

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Miracles are all around us. We simply must choose to see them. (August 25, 2014-Redmond 1st)

It's been another fantastic week here in Redmond!  Soo.. I just watched a guy get arrested in the library.  Always an adventure here! hahaha anyway...

Last week was a great week.  We were able to get together as a zone for p-day and play soccer for 2 hours.  I was sore for about 4 days but totally worth it!  We also got to have dinner with the Taylor's who are a very young couple in the ward.  They are way fun!

This week was really just filled with miracles.  We received a referral from Brother Whitmore on Tuesday night.  He said he had given this young man a copy of the Book of Mormon and invited him to church on Sunday.  We gave the kid a call and set up a church tour for Saturday at noon.  Fast-forward to Saturday.  We were working on service at the bike park behind the church.  We walked up to the church around 11:50 to get changed, unlock the building, turn on lights and get prepared for the tour.  We got there and he was already there!  I've never had an investigators show up to a church tour on time, and especially not 15 minutes early!  He surprised us for sure. We unlocked the building and instead of changing into our proselyting clothes and making him wait longer than he already has, we just gave it to him on the spot in our service clothes.  Maybe not the most professional appearance but we have to be prepared at any time regardless of our clothes to move the work forward.  He was taking everything in and we re-invited him to church on Sunday.  Sunday rolls around (keep in mind we have 9 am church) and we walk into church about 10 mins early. Not only is he there, but he's been there for 20 minutes already!  He had a chance to meet the bishop as well.  He stayed for all 3 hours.  At the end of church, he explained he really enjoyed it but he needed to go and get some rest.  He hadn't gone to bed until 4:30 in the morning but he knew he had committed to church and that he would be there.  He plans on coming next week and we are meeting with him on Wednesday.

It's Friday.  We're on exchanges, I'm with Elder Wood (our District Leader).  We go out to find a potential in our area book with virtually no information on her.  Just a name and address.  We knock on the door and low and behold it's who we're looking for!  We were able to talk to her for 30 minutes about the gospel and in the process we learned of her search for what she truly believes.  We invited her for a church tour next week and she accepted.

Sunday.  We show up to church.  I've already explained the excitement and surprise of our earlier miracle but we walk into church to see a youth of our ward with 3 non member friends at church with him.  2 of which I had already eaten dinner with 3 weeks ago.  We were able to greet them and by the end of church we asked if they were planning on attending again and coming to mutual.  They indicated that they were.

Miracles are all around us.  We simply must choose to see them. We learn that "it is by faith [in Christ] that miracles are wrought" and that when we exercise our faith, we see the miracles of the Lord (Moroni 7:37).

I love you! I hope you have a fantastic week!

Love,
Elder Garriss

Pic: "This is me being a sister" - Elder Gemperline.  He decorated a notebook with 2 stickers.
 
Sunday Dinner
Sent from Cathi Williams
It was a pleasure for all of us! He ate healthy helpings of spinach salad and roasted carrots :)
And thanks for Elder Garriss -- we LOVE our elders!!
 
 

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