sammission: A week full of tender mercies

Hey guys, Thank you all for the emails. It was really awesome being able to read them all and to see what is happening back at home. I can't believe that Caitlin has finished her mission. She is a fantastic missionary, probably the best Spanish speaking Hermana to ever serve in the NY NY South mission. I want to give a shout out to my awesome brother, Jake McGrath for his sweet sixteenth birthday! I can't believe how old he is getting. He is OLD!

So, this week has been a tough week but it was awesome though! We got to see a lot of miracles happen!

Last Saturday, I was able to go back down to Clinton to see a baptism. Erika and Renae Detar GOT BAPTIZED! They wanted me to speak at their baptism and I was able to do it. It was absolutely amazing. It was a joy to see the two girls, Erika and Renae, to be baptized and to see them progress after months of teaching them. The coolest thing that happened at the baptism was that the girls were SO happy to be baptized. They were crying tears of joy and it was so awesome. It was one of my FAVORITE baptismal services I have ever had a part in. What a blessing!

I also got to see the Cefalo family on the same day and they are doing so awesome! The craziest thing is going to happen to them: they are moving to LEHI!!!! Crazy! They are moving down to Lehi because of the father's job. It seems like I was there at the right time and knocked their door at the right time. This whole experience strengthened my testimony that the Lord does prepare people just for us. I also know that the Lord prepares people for members too. It's not just for missionaries but also for members alike. I would have never found Robert Hall (from the good ol' Tremonton days) if it wasn't for Brother Skinner (who is the WML of that ward) who stepped up and spoke to Robert. That changed Robert and his family's life forever and for the better.

D&C 100: 5-6 - Read it, learn it, live it, love it! :)

Also, last night, we had a small miracle. The two missionaries in Huntsville needed me to go over to Huntsville and help them out with some lessons. It was so much fun! Huntsville is absolutely gorgeous and when we were driving back to North Ogden that night (the Huntsville elders usually sleep over at our place in North Ogden so they can come to Zone Sports in the morning), was so awesome! At our view on top of the pass, we can see most of Ogden and man, Ogden is beautiful! How lucky I am to be able to serve in the Utah Ogden mission! I love being a missionary. It's a great day to be a missionary in the Utah Ogden mission!

So about that miracle, I took one of the Huntsville elders (the other 2 missionaries stayed back at the house) and we went to McDonalds. We all were starving and we wanted to get some food. My companion, Elder Reinhart, and the other Huntsville elder wanted the candy, Starburst so we stopped by 7/11 on the way to McDonalds. In that store, we had a huge miracle! It was absolutely amazing! We bought the Starburst and then the lady (who was working) came up to us and told us that she wants to buy us drinks. The Huntsville elder and I grabbed some gatorade and we started talking to her. It turns out that she has a kid on a mission in Kentucky. After talking for a little bit, I asked if there was anyone that we could stop by. She referred us to her coworker. Her coworker, Alivia, is a nonmember and she wants to go to the Ogden Utah Temple open house and we were able to get her number and we will be calling her tonight. Hopefully, everything will work out. I left the store so happy. By doing service for others (buying candy for other people), we got to witness a miracle unfold before us. This experience also strengthened my testimony of the scripture, Mosiah 2:17. When we are serving our friends, family, co-workers, other people, we are also serving Heavenly Father. :)

Also, we had two families who were LA but now, they are re-activated, that wants to do Family History!! We found a guy who is serving a mission as a Family History missionary and he is willing to help teach those two families and us to do Family History. I am excited about that. Through Family History and temples, the saving ordinances can be done for those people who have passed on to the Spirit World. It is amazing. Family History and doing temple work IS missionary work. Missionary work is not just proselyting but doing all you can to bring others closer to Jesus Christ. Family History does that. Temple work does that. Everyone can do missionary work, regardless of circumstances. Guess what, the work is hastening (D&C 88:73)!! I can see that in ALL aspects of missionary work. We can do Family History at home. There are numerous temples being built so everyone can do temple work! It is amazing to see how the work is hastening.

I love the gospel so much. I love The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints so much. I know that the Church is the same church that Jesus Christ had here on Earth. I know that the Priesthood was brought back (restored) to Earth so that we can have those saving ordinances we need in order to have eternal life. What a great time to be alive!

I love you all and stay strong. You can do hard things. I also want to share a quote from my most amazing mother, "some of the best things in life are the things we have to work the hardest for". Have an awesome week!!! Love, Elder McGrath