I was asking to share a faith promoting story for our Mission History book. My faith has seriously grown to a whole new level since I came on a mission.
"faith is like a little seed...if planted it will grow..."
As
a new missionary I didn't know what I was expecting, just an amazing
experience, that everyone you teach listens and accepts your message. About
three weeks into my mission we were teaching a mother and her daughter. I
extended a baptismal commit to them at the end of the lesson and they both said
yes!! You can imagine how I was feeling. When we got out of the home my trainer
says to me, “you are SO lucky! They said YES! They are going to be baptized!! “I
was very happy and it felt like that is exactly what will happen for the next
18 months. A few weeks later the daughter told us she couldn't see us anymore
and that her mom was looking at anti-Mormon material and didn't want her to
join the church. That moment was so hard. It still hurts my heart thinking about
it today. I quickly realized that having many baptisms and recent coverts just
wasn't going to be in my field of missionary work. That I was going to be a
seed planter and maybe not see all the fruits of my labors. But I didn't let
that stop me, we kept working hard, I was still happy! I knew that a lot of the
work I would do is with members and less actives, while still teaching investigators.
Months later we got a referral from a member, (Iz). We met her and she was golden!
I thought, " this will be my one baptism!" She progressed very well
but did have some issues within the family and I eventually got transferred.
About eight months later I get a phone call from my trainee telling me that
(Iz) was going to get baptized!! I was so happy and excited!! I wasn't able
to be there to see it but she did it and I felt so filled with love for her.
Many months later I was transferred again. I got to an area where the ward
needed a lot of support and encouragement. My companion and I were determined
to make something happen there! We prayed fervently and with much faith. We just
simply decided and knew that we were going to be blessed for the effort we put
forth. We called the month of May, “May Miracles ". No matter how big or
small, those miracles strengthened our faith and we saw the tender mercies of
The Lord. On May 19th we met (A), a referral from a member in North
Carolina. She was so pure in heart and the most prepared person I have ever
met. She committed to be baptized the first lesson. We walked out with our
mouths hung open, in awe and gratitude for this miracle. We both just cried and
our eyes lit up! She fell right into our arms. I would always say, ‘we didn't
do anything, she just fell from heaven straight from God!’ And she did. But I
also know it was because of my faith and works that we had the privilege of
knowing, teaching, and helping her towards seeing her Father in Heaven again
one day. Just recently in the last transfer of my mission I was talking to my current companion and she told me,
" it wasn't only your faith here that brought her to you, but your faith
from the very beginning of your mission. " I know that is true. Because I
kept my faith high and strong, I was happy with the work The Lord was letting
me be a part of, I didn't give up, It didn't matter the number of baptisms I had,
(A) was a blessing and a testimony to me that it was all worth it; I am her
missionary. Faith is a small word, but means so great and powerful when we
exercise it. I know just like in the scriptures, it was my faith that helped
bring to pass these miracles. (Ether 12:6-18) I love my Heavenly Father for
strengthening my faith. You may not see the fruits of your labors in the moment,
but when you do the joy you feel is beyond expression.
Hermana Kelsey Lewis
February 2013- August 2014
