Elder Jorgensen: Random Acts of Kindness Answer Prayers

This Week in the Nevada, Reno Mission

We were on our way to contacting a referral when we passed our local Wal-Mart. For whatever reason, we were talking to someone at the crosswalk, and instead of crossing with them, Elder Blackham looked to the right, and he saw an older lady carrying huge amounts of groceries and a look of utter desperation on her face. She told us that she usually took groceries home to her nearby apartment by taking a cart, but she had unwittingly grabbed one of the new security carts that lock their wheels when you leave the store premises so that you can't steal them. We each took some of her groceries (which weighed over 100 pounds altogether) and walked to her apartment while she told us about herself.

When we reached her house and brought the groceries in, Elder Blackham saw something interesting: a Book of Mormon and a few of our missionary pamphlets on the desk (I was outside the door, also looking at our bikes that we parked outside to make sure no one stole those). He was really confused, especially since he had been silently praying on the way over that it would be a good missionary experience. And when this woman leaned in to look at his badge, she immediately recognized the name of the Church and told us that she had been meeting with the missionaries in her area (Sisters Smith and Willes) and going there for several weeks. She very graciously thanked us for our help and told us that she was thinking of joining.

And the best part was later that night, when Sister Willes called us. She told us that they had extended the baptismal invitation just the day before, but this woman was really flaky and wasn't sure whether she wanted to do it or not. Until we showed up and helped her, of course. :) Now she probably will be baptized, and we will be very happy to see that happen

Sister Lauren Arnold: A Journey To God Over Years of Heartache

This Week in the Nevada, Reno Mission

Hector is one of my favorite individuals to meet with! He has overcome challenges right and left and his story is truly miraculous!!!

 He was born in Puerto Rico and went to grade school with his sweet heart Gladis. Life was hard for him growing up and he was a rebellious fellow. After high school, he and Gladis went their different ways and he ended up studying accounting, then during his last year decided there was more to life and joined the marines. He became an underwater ice expert and traveled all over the world (including the North Pole). While doing all of this he played upper level basket ball and baseball and even coached too. Then went back and took his CPA exam and now he is CFO of a green energy company. During this same time, he was married, divorced, and angry with God because he felt like there was something more but he had no idea what it was.

 As he became CFO of this green energy company he took many business trips to Puerto Rico. While there, he ran into Gladis and they reconnected and fell in love all over again. They realized they were each other's love of their life and even though time had past God put them together again to find each other. What is most wonderful though is that Gladis is a member of the LDS church. She helped Hector see how God had guided him through his life and never left him alone; but was always there. Hector knew Gladis had faith and her faith was one of the things he loved about her. She wore her religion on her sleeve and started to share the gospel with him.

 Hector went back to the US but him and Gladis continued their relationship and gospel discussions. She prompted him to go to church and then he just showed up at our sacrament meeting (with Gladis in his ear on Blue tooth). Since then he has regularly been meeting with the missionaries and is now preparing himself for baptism and eventually to be sealed in the temple to Gladis. His testimony of the Lord and his gospel has just been blossoming every single day! It has been amazing to see how the Lord has watched over Hector his whole life and prepared him to hear the gospel at this time. Our God is a God of miracles and Hector's life has been one I've been witness to recently.

Sister Lauren Arnold: The Miracle of Loving Members

This Week in the Reno Nevada Mission

We used to visit an old woman named Merna, a less-active.  Last time we went to visit her she was sick and her daughter (a member of another faith) answered the to speak for her mother, who couldn't speak for herself at the time. She told us to go away and not come back, that her mom wasn't interested.  This was baffling because Merna never said anything like this before.  So we didn't see Merna for about 2 or 3 weeks.  

This week we had lunch with a member whose mother was good friends with Merna.  This member actually grew up with Merna's girls and knew the whole family really well.  She told us she had been wanting to visit Merna and asked if she could come with us when we went that afternoon; of course we said YES!  Me and the member went to Merna's house while Sis. White and Sis. Catlett made other visits.  

When we went to her house, the same daughter was out front and greeted the member with a HUGE SMILE, so excited to see her after such a long time!  Immediately she invited us in and asked if I was her daughter! She didn't see my tag.  Once we got in the house I told her I was actually a missionary from the church. At first she was very cold to me but then after talking awhile she realized I was just a normal person and talked with me like anyone else.  

The member was able to catch up with Merna and her daughter and I was able to be reintroduced to their family in a very non-threatening way.  The spirit was so strong as the member testified of the Lord's help through struggles and I was able to share a scripture to supplement.  At the end, Merna grabbed my and said, "Please come back."  I WAS SOOOOO EXCITED!!!