Week 58: Powerful moments

June 30, 2014

Dearest family and friends,

There are some moments on your mission that are out-of-body. They're rare, but when they happen, it is life-changing. We met with a less-active member this week who is struggling with the recent death of her daughter. I felt like I didn't know what to say for most of the time- Sister Patterson and the member who came with us kept giving her great counsel and comforting words and I just observed. As I listened, I got more and more frustrated as I realized how much of a hold Satan had on her. She surrounded herself with depressing and violent movies and books. She was living in darkness and filth. She refused to be helped and it almost as if this woman didn't feel she deserved to feel better. She was absolutely miserable which we know is exactly what Satan wants. 2 Nephi 2:27 kept coming to my head, so I opened and read to her:

Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.

As I read it to her, I understood this verse in a completely new way. Not only are we free to choose to turn to the Savior to be free of the guilt and damage for our mistakes, but we are also free to choose to turn to the Savior and be free of the pain and sorrow we experience. I testified to her that I know that when we choose to be miserable and we do not allow the Savior to heal us, Satan wins. And that is exactly what he wants. I didn't say much, really, but it felt quite powerful coming out and I knew it wasn't me speaking. There is nothing the comes close to how it feels to know you are quite literally being an instrument in the Lord's hands as the Spirit helps you to say what the Lord wants his children to hear.

Another powerful moment was at the beginning of the week when we met with a member family. They have already been doing such incredible work to reach out to their friends and family and share the gospel with them. The result is an beautiful Spirit in their home. It was overwhelming! And as we had a lesson and challenged them to set a specific date as a family to find someone to be taught, I felt like my own faith was strengthened. Sister Patterson and I had set a goal to find a new investigator that week and I was feeling doubtful and fearful about it, especially after having such a rude awakening to the difference in people here. But as I read an experience from President Christensen's life when he invited his friend Natasha Paton to be taught, I could not get through it. The Spirit was hitting me so hard. I was able to testify to this family (and most importantly, to myself) that as we exercise our faith and set specific goals to bring others closer to Christ and as do all we can to achieve them, the Lord will step in and help us to accomplish them because they are in line with His will. This is His work and when we participate in it with all our hearts, might, mind, and strength, we cannot fail.

Honestly, it feels like the powerful lessons we had this week were really meant for me. When I felt the Spirit confirm the truth of what I was saying as I spoke, I knew that it was me who really needed to hear it. I need to have more faith that God will help us reach our goals as we prayerfully set them and I need to have more faith that I can turn to the Savior to feel healed. Funny how our loving Heavenly Father customizes our experiences to meet our needs. :)

In terms of our investigators, our miracle investigator David is just incredible. He was a neighbor to Sisters Patterson and Scott in the old apartment and they've been teaching him for about a month. He is a PhD student in Music and has a lovely wife and young son. He has such fantastic questions! He read the Restoration pamphlet and sent us 15 PAGES of notes and questions. And then he did the same with the Plan of Salvation. Absolutely incredible. We are so excited to be teaching him and he has been fellowshipped so well by the members. This ward is SO good to us!

And speaking of my favorite wards and branches, MIRACLES are happening in Providence! I had a chance to catch up with Sister Crane for a few minutes and things are just going so well there. Lots of baptismal dates and unexpected progress. I couldn't quit smiling. :) It makes me so happy to hear of the good things happening in a place I love so very much!

Thank you for your love and support! I love each of you dearly and am so grateful to have you in my life. It is such a privilege to be serving here and to be learning so much about myself and about my Savior. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything! This gospel is true. And it is the only way to truly be happy. And that is exactly what our Heavenly Father wants for us. Choose to be happy! And share that happiness and truth with those around you.

Much love!

Sister Wheeler Jr.

P.S. I'm attaching a photo of me and Sister Daly with the Brindamours. I love them all so much! There's also a picture of the homemade cake they made me. WAY too nice!