"HAVE YE EXPERIENCED A MIGHTY CHANGE IN YOUR HEARTS?"

Dearist Family!!! 

The minutes, the hours, the days, the weeks just keep getting better! I love being a soldier in God's Army! 

The Leon Springs Ward is by far the greatest place to be at this time. A few weeks ago we met Brian walking with his daughter. We shared with him the Book of Mormon and he accepted it, mentioning his wife was a strong Catholic and was not going to change, but he would read it. The Dinning family, in the ward, lives just down the road and so we stopped to share with them the experience! They were stoked to hear and so willing to help. They made an extra effort to say “Hi” to them on the street. A couple weeks later we stopped by to drop off a Trunk or Treat invitation. The wife answered the door and was very kind and gentle and receiving. So we gave the Dinning family an update of what had occurred. Sister Dinning has been praying for the family lately and asking us a lot about them. Saturday evening she was ready and pumped to go introduce herself to them official, but felt steered another direction. So Sunday evening she was prompted to go and went. She met Brian, as the wife and kids were out for the night. Sister Dinning mentioned that she had heard from us about giving Brian a Book of Mormon and his wife a Trunk or Treat invite, and she followed up on both invitations! (Elder Ballard would be proud!) As a neighbor and a friend Sister Dinning  was able to answer many of his questions about the church in general. She testified of the restoration, of temples, of prophets and so much more. She related to us that it felt normal and it was real and just friendly. She extended a more specific invite to read 3 Nephi 11 and placed a bookmark in place. WOW …. outstanding! This work could not have gone forward without her power and excitement to help. I am so grateful for the strong testimonies of the members here. Their hearts are pure! 

The primary president in our ward, Sister Jenkins and her family are on fire as well. Having three girls and a crazy home, somehow she is still able to find time to help us. Multiple times she has come out with us to drop off invitations to families we have met in the area. She gladly introduces herself and asks about the kids that might attend the same school as hers. WOW I am just in awe of their help and so grateful. It has made a world of difference. 

Janet is an investigator whom we have been working with quite a bit lately. She has asked that members not come to her lessons because she feels it is a burden on their families and takes so much time away from their family time. Sister Cobabe, from the ward, has befriended her over time and the other night we asked Janet if Sister Cobabe could come to a lesson. Janet immediately agreed and said, "Oh I love her, of course she can." Miracles came immediately after. That evening Janet's countenance changed. She listened intently to this member who had befriended her. She then told Sister Cobabe her deepest concerns and why she would not be baptized yet. This all happened after we headed home for the night. The great power these members in the Leon Springs Ward. 

One last member, Sister Metcalf. Just recently she shared with us her change in sharing the gospel. A few months ago she would tell you that she tried as much as possible NOT to bring up the church with her friends and was a bit timid to pray for missionary experiences for many reasons. (Fear of not being able to answer questions, taking up more time in her schedule, explaining answers to questions etc. and so forth). She said she finally realized that she must get over her selfish fears and understand the bigger picture. She began praying for missionary opportunities. She began seeing a bigger picture in the work. That it did not require more time, but rather it became part of her nature, attitude and conversations; that she did not have to answer every question; that the Lord would guide and direct her in every way. I wish I could copy and post her thoughts and words here but I am just paraphrasing. "Have ye experienced a might change in your hearts?" 

I could go on and on with the week, but you are free to read my journal entries for this week after I die because I have recorded them there. I thank you again for the love and joy you each have brought to my life. Sister Barrick thought I was a bit crazy this week when I set a goal to only do things in life that either 1) Build God's Kingdom 2) Help my Family. She said "Ill follow up with that in a few years and see." Truly, I love this work with all my heart. I am sincerely grateful to know that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, the priesthood has been restored, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the Lords kingdom. 

Always, Always, Sister Davis 

"...YE ARE ETERNALLY INDEBTED TO YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER..."

Family! 

OH! The week sounds like it was quite fun! I am glad to hear you loved and enjoyed Meet the Mormons! What powerful stories! We each have our own and get to share it personally with those we meet. 

I love each one of you dearly. Thank you for everything you have taught me. I often tell stories of each of you to Sister Barrick and after every one she says, "I want to meet your family!" So, y’all are famous! 

I learned of humility this week! Once we think we are humble, we are prideful. A similar quote I heard recently...."Forget yourself. And when you find yourself, forget yourself again, because you're in the wrong place." I am sure Heavenly Father wants to teach us so much from Him, however, I have learned that if I don’t ask and yearn for it, He will not give. 

We stopped by a women’s this past week who we met a few months ago, but was hesitant to talk with us at the time. When we spoke with her on Sat evening she mentioned how her family has been trying different churches to fit with all of their different personalities. Her 10yr old son had been asking lately, "Mom, let’s just try one more church, can we try one more?" Wow! The power of a child of God!

Sandra (Brother Peterson's wife) attended church again this week! She has been studying the pamphlets and her Bible. She is taking notes so diligently and asking questions to Brother Peterson!!!

We were able to meet some other wonderful families this past week as well! It is so interesting how we can spend hours and hours on end within the same 10 acres of homes, and week after week we will meet a family that we have never seen before. “WOW! We have walked and driven past that home a countless number, but never once met the family that lives there”. It has taught me even more about the principle of FAITH. The miracles that occur do not depend on my ability, my luck, my chance to meet this family or that family, but rather is FULLY dependent on faith in my Savior, Jesus Christ! 

As I went on quite a few short exchanges this past week, it was powerful to see the differences in each of God's Children. How we learn differently, how we receive direction differently, how we listen differently, and how we act differently. In no way, would I be able to gain enough education to learn these different behaviors AND THEN learn how to work with each personality. Heavenly Father has given us the endless ability to work with others, to learn from them, to strengthen to them. 

I am eternally indebted to my Heavenly Father. Always, Sister Davis

COME SING TO THE LORD!

Dearest Family!!! 

What a joyful and powerful experience we each had yesterday! It is wonderful to know that even though we are all in different places, we can hear from living prophets and apostles. Oh the peace and excitement that is felt from the songs, the prayers, the testimonies and the eternal truths etched into our hearts! 

MEET THE MORMONS! It will be coming to San Antonio this weekend as well! It is quite the drive from our area, but we are still sooo excited! After watching this film, it caused me to think of how powerful media will be in sharing the gospel. How vital media is in hastening the work. We received a message this past week from our stake. "Now the request is to go to the movie and invite other to go with them. As we have heard more than once, including From Elder Holland in his introduction to the Meet the Mormon, the box-office performance of the movie during the first weekend is crucial to its continued showing. Given the highly competitive nature of the film industry, doing the best we can to fill the theater those two days is essential."

As we rode our bikes on the country roads this past week, we stopped to see a women waiting for her son's school bus. She seemed not too interested in the beginning, but as we began to walk away she asked a question. We began to share more of what we know to be true. We asked when we could return and she replied, "Well I'll be out here tomorrow around this same time." She read the entire pamphlet we gave to her and wanted to complete the additional study. She promised to read the Book of Mormon and asked when we are coming back. Many families are yearning for this, even though at first glance they (and us) may easily skip over our powerful message!

While walking one evening, we approached a mother sweeping her garage. After a few short sentences she expressed to us how she had lost a family member recently. We shared with her the promise that she can live with her family member after this life. She responded, "Really? You think I can live with them? Can that really happen?" With overwhelming joy we said YES, you can! 

"A convert (and investigators) need three things,( and one of those things) is a friend in the Church to whom you can constantly turn, who will walk beside you, who will answer your questions, who will understand your problems."  (President Hinckley, Oct 2006 Ensign). We saw a new light and perspective of this principle this past week. We met with Jan who has had challenges and obstacles during her journey of learning about the church. A friend of hers joined us in the lesson this past week, and having a best friend by her side, talking and discussing with her, allowed Jan to experience thoughts and feelings and powerful moments that sunk deep into her heart. We left her home after some time, but the friend stayed for an hour or so longer. The following evening Jan opened up even more. Something we have been praying for and pondering about for days was answered when her dear friend made a visit with us and it had such an impact. "...By very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls." Alma 36:7

 It has been a powerful week! We met with a less-active who expressed to us how she has felt punished by God. She did not want to have any more children after her first two boys, but a few months later she found herself pregnant with twin boys. As I expressed to her "Wow, your hands must be full, and I am sure your heart is overflowing with joy!" She responded by expressing her heart is far from joy. She knows there is a God, but then expressed very strongly that He does not love her. My heart aches to even type this. I cringed when I heard that. I have never cherished the first principle we teach to everyone more than now in my life. "God is our Loving Heavenly Father." 

I know God is indeed our Heavenly Father. I know He loves each one of us. I know He desires to "bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." Moses 1:39

I love each one of you. Thank you for your love in return. I hope you are enjoying the cool weather but staying warm still.                     Sincerely, Sister Davis