He is a God of Miracles
Kjære familie og venner,
This week we had splits miracles! Splits are a 24-hour period when you exchange companions for learning and training purposes. My favorite highlights were the following:
Inspired knocking. As Søster Barlow and I left the apartment, we felt like we should try one of our friends in our neighborhood, Saba, and knock on her door. She let us in! There have been very few times on my mission when we've actually been LET IN. She comes from Eritrea and we had a pamphlet in her native language. We taught her the whole Plan of Salvation and read in from the scriptures together. She and her husband have a sweet little girl, who slept in her arms during the whole lesson. That was also a miracle!
Back up plans. If working with people is your business, you know you need good back-up plans. Twice this week, when our appointment fell through, our back-up plans came into play. On Thursday, we dropped by a lady who had referred herself through mormon.org to receive a free Book of Mormon. We had given her a copy, but felt we should reach out to follow up and to make a teaching appointment. She let us come by and we taught her the Restoration! I know the message of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ will bless her family.
Ministering. Each member of the congregation has assignments to watch and care for specific people in the church. The system is called, "omsorgstjeneste", or ministering. Monday night (yesterday) we got a referral from a member to visit a sister he has responsibility for (in church we would call him her ministering brother). We got her address but had no idea where it was. That night, we were on our way to deliver a Book of Mormon to someone who we met on the street (but no formal appointment). We saw a street sign on our right that stuck out in my mind. Could it be? Yes, it was her street! We dropped by and got to know her. She had a friend over at the time and we gave the member a Book of Mormon for her friend. We could tell it was positive and uplifting for both the member and her friend! So, cheers to flexible planning and good back-up plans. I know Heavenly Father places us in circumstances that help us minister to His children. The people and places around us are not there by accident. It's up to us to decide to make a difference, and our Heavenly Father will use us as His hands!
I know that God the Father and Jesus Christ live and love me! Have you ever felt lonely? He will be your friend. Have you ever had an illness? He can heal you. Have you ever had a broken relationship? He can fix that too. Our Savior Jesus Christ not only suffered for our sins, but "descended below all things" as He experienced all the unfairness, heartache, and troubles we carry. Turn them over to Him. Choose to let them go. He'll help you carry the load. On a personal note, throughout my life and on my mission, He has literally sustained me, been my friend, helped me create joy in spite of challenges, and has worked miracles through my humble efforts. He is a God of miracles.
Love always,
Søster Jessica Brimhall
https://photos.app.goo.gl/S9tjhx7UViENgk198
Pictures:
Sport! Rain, snow, or shine, we play football (European football!). Jan Atle, our assistant ward mission leader, organizes it. Geir, Hannah, Jesse, the elders, and we are in this picture. Members and non-members come. It's a great opportunity to meet people's friends and fellowship.
Søster Madsen and I treated ourselves to some Indian food as we started weekly planning. Yum!
Old Haugesund district reunion at Zone Conference! Words cannot describe all I've been through with these people! I LOVE my mission!
We have a spiralizer, which...you guessed it! It spiralizes fruit and vegetables! We made a fun salad yesterday.
We are teaching a returning member couple, C. & E. They are so sweet! She is from Madagascar.
Community service at Asker Frivillighetens Hus! Sue, Søster Barlow, Margarethe, and I. We prepare lunch for refugee women each week. They asked us to sing the song we had prepared for Zone Conference that day too! Talk about an impromptu performance! LOVE these ladies! They give so much so selflessly.