The Fruits of our Labors

This week, I have had the wonderful chance to see many fruits of my labors here in the mission.

I got the chance to see a sister serving right now in my old area. I began asking how Braian was, how the bishop was, and then how the investigators I had left were... I tear up just thinking about what she told me. 

"Hermana, I just want to thank you. The bishops parents were baptized, As was Henry´s mom. The family Mallco was rescued. The referrals you gave the elders, that you and your comp started teaching cause they changed the area limits? Two of the families got baptized, and one is gonna get baptized this week. That was the busiest part of my mission, And they all miss you. Thank you for planting seeds in them to help them get their feet moving." I broke down in tears. The people i loved so much have all felt the Love of their Father! I dont say this to boast, only to show, that we dont know what we do. We dont know what our words can do... Ammon didn´t baptize King Lamoni´s father... but he did plant the seed. What are we worth if we dont plant seeds in the hearts of someone else? 

Just when i thought my joy couldn't get greater, I had the chance to see someone me and Hna Garcia had talked to one day. 

We were waiting for a member, outside her home, and we notice a young man pacing back and forth in front of her door... who in the world....? 

We go talk to him. Ronald is his name. We ask him some questions, which he doesn't answer. Instead, he says that  he is waiting for Ari, who happens to be his ex girlfriend... The member we are waiting for. They had some problems, and he ended up in the hospital after trying to take his life. he had just gotten out when we saw him. He shared with us a few things, And me and hna Garcia felt the need to open up 1 Nephi. we read him some verses that we hoped would help... and Ariana came out. we heard little else from this.... just a few things about him going to church.

This young man has now completely changed his life around. He felt something with us, as we talked in the street. About a month later, he began thinking about what we shared with him. He said 

"Hermana Arave, My life changed when I realized that what you guys had shared with me was true. Something in the words "I have thee engraven upon the palms of my hands" stuck with me. and Now, i´m getting baptized. I´m enrolled in Mission Prep, and i want to leave within a year from my baptism. thank you for sharing a simple testimony with me." 

I can hear his voice over and over again, telling me this. How great is my joy. 

I AM A DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD. 

I have no greater joy than to hear that people are coming to know their Savior in a very personal way. We cant always see the fruits of our labors right away... in fact, almost five months have passed since I've seen my last area, and a few months have passed since we met Ronald, but God puts people in our path, and puts us in their path, so that he can bring to pass Their Salvation. I am so happy to be here as a missionary. I am so proud of my sister, who will be joining the ranks this week. 

I hope you all have a wonderful week, full of opportunities to share the gospel. 

I love you all, 

Hermana Arave