A Christmas Miracle.... in November

Ether 12:12: “For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith.” 

Today's blog post is about the miracle that happened in our area last month. One of those kinds of experiences where you can look back on it and KNOW (not just think but know) that Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers.

It all kind of started at the beginning of this transfer when Sister Mayfield and I decided to set a goal for a "White Christmas". On a mission, a White Christmas is one where you have a baptism around Christmas time. I remember hearing about my older brothers setting goals to have a White Christmas on their mission and I always thought it was the neatest thing. So, seeing that I only have one Christmas as a missionary, I knew just what I wanted to do. Together Sister Mayfield and I decided to work extra hard, be extra obedient, and muster every bit of faith that we could manage in order to see a baptism in our area within the transfer.

The 1st week of the transfer we got out of an appointment and saw that we had a missed call and a voicemail from Keenan. Instantly we knew this was special because, let's be honest, lots of people say they will call us but I've never seen it actually happen. We called him back and set up an appointment for that week! Our first lesson with him (in Quiznos no less) was such a great experience. Sister Mayfield and I were so impressed with Keenan's willing heart and faith even though we were teaching things that were very foreign to him. He kind of gave us blank stares when we talked with him about Joseph Smith's first vision and the Book of Mormon but he saw that we believed it and was willing to accept our testimony as it was and agreed to meet again. And as an extra demonstration of his great faith, he asked to come to church before we even could! From that point on, miracle after miracle just started happening. He came to church, hit it off with a few medical students in our ward and their families, and continued to learn and progress. His faith and willingness to embrace the gospel, helped ME to develop greater faith. I felt a little chastised at times for times in life and on my mission that I have lacked such faith. Helping Keenan progress towards baptism was probably the great thing I've ever gotten to do. Actually, Sister Mayfield and I didn't feel like we did much at all! It was clear that every step of the way, Heavenly Father was helping us and helping Keenan. When we met with him and asked him when he would like to be baptized, we were thrilled at his decision to move forward with complete faith and trust in the Lord and be baptized on November 30th.

But that's not the end of the story...

The day after we set Keenan's baptismal date, we got a call from one of his dear friends that introduced him to the gospel and the missionary (planting the seed) way back in 2009. She lives in another ward in our mission and she had an incredible story of her own. Apparently, when the Elders in her ward went over for dinner during the beginning of the month, they asked her family what they wanted to do as a family to "hasten the work". They decided to fast every Sunday that month and pray earnestly so that "someone they love" could be baptized by the end of the month! She said that the first email she got from Keenan telling her he was meeting with missionaries came the week after their first fast. Next Sunday, they fast again.... and they get another email from Keenan telling them that he is still continuing to meet with us and enjoying all that he is learning which put them all in shock and helped them to see that a miracle truly is happening. Third Sunday, they get another letter from Keenan- this time, it is him announcing that he will be baptized on November 30th... the LAST day of the month.

As Sister Mayfield and I sat and listened to Jazzy's incredible story, we both felt such an overwhelming sense of God's love for His children and His desire to answer prayers and perform miracles according to their faith. It was an answer to prayers for all of us. Sister Mayfield and I with our desire to bring someone to Christ this Christmas season, the Reece family and their desire to help hasten the work and bring the Gospel to those they love, and Keenan's desire to find guidance and happiness in his life.

 It was such a blessing to be apart of this Christmas Miracle :)