The Lord is Raining Down Miracles

Hey!

I don't know what happened! This week has been incredible. The Lord is truly blessing the mission right now! We are hearing miracles stories left and right and we are feeling it as well in our own efforts. This week we were on exchanges for 3 of the 6 days. We went up to Wenatchee to go on exchanges with Elder Haws and Elder Spackman, the Zone Leaders. Also, Elder Smith my recent companion lives up there in the same apartment so that was awesome as well. Anyways, the exchange that we were able to go on was incredible. We were out contacting potentials which eventually lead to some tracking like usual. We were lead to this house that was in the middle of this orchard, had a long driveway, and looked pretty homey. Just comfy you know. So we knock and this big bald guy comes outside and I was a little scared, I've got to admit. It is kind of like Jason but without his soft side. But luckily that day i did my push ups from me saying a filler word. Quick note: Every time I say "OH YEAH?!" I have to do 25 push ups and I'm getting in a little shape. So as we got to know Rex my fear subsided. As we continued to talk a little bit he expressed that he wasn't interested. But as we continued to ask him questions, being genuinely interested in him and his life he began to open up about who he is and what he believed. He felt something. Maybe safety, peace, comfort, that allowed him to be open to having us. He felt the spirit or the Light of Christ. Telling him that this is good. Or pay attention, either one. As we shared the restoration with him he was glued to what we were saying. Adding his input and loving every bit of it. As we shared the story of Joseph Smith and also the book of Mormon, we gave him a book and he held that book like it was a newly born baby. It was so powerful to see that as he pondered about the message we shared and the possibilities that would follow. After we left him with a prayer that day, he changed. From not wanting to talk further to having us back this Tuesday. I love what it talks about in Mosiah 5:2. It mentions these people that were listening to King Benjamin and he gave his final sermon. It states: 

"2 And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually."

As the words were able to sink deep into his heart he changed. Large or small the words changed him into something better than before.

I feel like this email is never going to end because of all the miracles that have been happening! 

A quick one until next week. Rocky Marquartz is planning on being baptized this upcoming Saturday. He had his interview this past weekend and he is all ready to go. Every time we go over to see him I can't help but think of my dad. Saying to myself, "This is probably who my dad would be if he hadn't had the gospel." And then in Rocky's case, the progression and change that will come into his life will be electric. The Lord has plans for Rocky as he continues to be faithful and I can't wait to see where he ends up. This Saturday is going to be an incredible day here in Yakima. The Lord is Raining Down Miracles!

Love,

E. Archibald

Back in Yakima

It’s great to be back home again in Yakima, after 5 days on the road.  Here are a few of the Elders we bumped into this morning at church.  They had so many stories to tell about all the wonderful people they are teaching.  There is so much excitement in the air everywhere we go!  I love these Elders serving here.  I wish there were a way to record all the miracles happening around us.

. "Real, personal sacrifice never was placing an animal on the altar. Instead, it is a willingness to put the animal in us upon the altar and letting it be consumed...As you submit your wills to God, you are giving Him the ONLY thing you CAN actually give Him that is really yours to give." -Neal A Maxwell.

Wenatchee Cascade (Spanish) Zone Interviews

Wenatchee Cascade (Spanish) Zone

Elder Carter, helping Rocky and transforming missionary work

Hey Mom! 

This past week has been one of many mighty miracles!!! Elder Carter and I have been working on managing our time. We sometimes get sucked into tasks that just take way to long! Or are really not that important. This week we have made some serious strides in the right direction in that regard. Following our exchange with the Othello Zone Leaders Friday, we had an eventful weekend. It came as we strive to follow the spirit in ALL that we do. We were contacting a referral we had received and they ended up not being home. As we returned to our car we felt the need to knock a few doors because we are in every place for a reason. The first door we knock we talked to this Hispanic man that had a cute little family. I didn't get much from the conversation but he wanted us to come back because Elder Carter speaks Spanish and is a spiritual GIANT. Sadly, we aren't able to go and teach Spanish families. We handed him off to the other missionaries and went along. Again returning to the car we felt prompted to knock on this door. A random door I might add. Following the "little thought" or prompting we knocked the door and waited to see what happened. The door opened and a teenage girl just walked out and shut the door behind her, intending to talk to us for a bit. After an amazing discussion she allowed us to continue coming by. My explanation of this story is alot less dramatic than it really was but I couldn't help but learn from that experience. Elder Carter and I are constantly looking for more ways that we can have his spirit to be with us. Without his spirit we are worthless and as we have desired his spirit more it has transformed our missionary work. That experience of knocking on a random door has happen more than a handful of times this week. As we searched for his guiding hand and acted on the promptings to our hearts and minds miracles have occurred. When we as children of our heavenly father follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost a miracle follows every time. A miracle that changes the course of ones life for the better. This work is incredible! It is coming to a close but it won't end without someone entering the water! haha Right now we are helping Rocky work toward the 21st for baptism. He is doing so great! He had some struggles with tea and coffee but dropped them and he has never had so much juice in his life haha. He is doing so great! We will keep you updated on how he is doing. He loves the church and continues to just impress us with his faith. Until Next week!

Love, 

E. Archibald