Week of Miracles

I have had an amazing week! In my personal study I read the talk "Beware of Pride" by President Benson, and there were two quotes that I wanted to share with you. "If we love God, do His will, and fear His judgment more than men's, we will have self-esteem." I have found this to be true on my mission. I have made aligning my will with His the focus of my studies and my prayers, so that I can be the missionary He needs me to be. As I have done that I have come to see myself as the Beautiful Daughter of God that I am. I look in the mirror, and I see who He sees, not who the world sees. All I want is for the world to see Christ when they look at me. I've also been working on smiling more, which has made a real difference. Now I don't even have to try! I am smiling almost all the time, and it makes me truly happy! 

We finally found a new person to teach! Her name is Suzi, she is from Mexico, and she wants to learn more about the gospel. We had been trying to find her home and never could, but on Friday we went to knock on her door right before dinner, and it ended up being an hour long lesson! It was a miracle, we are so excited to teach her the restored gospel! Luckily our dinner appointment was a former mission president, and he and his wife were perfectly happy to wait for us. Before we left I asked if they had any advice for a missionary who had just reached her halfway point and was having trouble accepting that. What he said really touched me. He said "Sister Lisonbee, just keep doing what you are doing. You are an amazing missionary, I knew that from the moment you sat out there on my porch the first time to discuss your ward..." He said more but that's not important. I really needed to hear that that day. I know that Heavenly Father is pleased with my work, even if the numbers aren't high, that's not what matters. I have been able to see how I have touched people's lives for the better, and that brings me joy. 

We also went to return some dishes to a member, and it turned into an hour long discussion. She had just read something that is going to help us to teach an investigator family that we have been working with for a while. I'm so excited to see them grow and change as they draw nearer to Christ!

Then there was last night. We had a lesson that changed me. We have been working a lot with a less active, I think i've told you about him, and he has slowly been changing. Well last night we had a lesson with him in a member's home, it was amazing. We started off by sharing 3 Nefi 22: 7-8. He had doubts about God and His love. He tried to answer the questions we asked the way he thought we wanted, instead we told him that he needed to be honest with us. So he was, and we were able to address his concerns. The member we were with is a 28 year old girl getting ready for her mission, and she just bore her testimony of the love that God has for us. Then sister West bore hers, and then I bore a piece of mine. The spirit was so strong. I said things that I didn't think of as they came out of my mouth. I looked him in the eyes, and I saw the change happen. We went home afterward, and he sent us a text saying thank you. We talked for a bit then he said. When you were giving your "messages" I felt peaceful and calm. It felt good. I asked him if he knew why and he said "the spirit." He recognized that he was feeling the spirit. It was a miracle. I have been working with this young man for 4 months, and last night I watched him change. It was the most amazing thing ever. I feel so honored to have been a part of that. I feel at peace with myself and with God, I am happy.