James

Dear family and friends,

NEVER underestimate God's power and abilities. Anything can happen on His time and in His way. We have been humbled and blessed significantly with the most incredible miracle I have seen on my entire mission.

Meet James: Early 30s, single, tattoos, works full time. NO religious background except a basic belief in God.

Last week, we accidentally knocked on James' door while looking for someone else. He came out on his porch for a minute, we said a prayer with him, and left him a Restoration pamphlet with our number and Church information written on the back. He had briefly told us he works every Sunday and would never be able to come to church.

Imagine our surprise to get a text from James a few days later saying sorry that he could not come to church on Sunday but he wanted to go next time. We invited him to the church tour Thursday (July 25) at 7pm. He said he'd come!

He did! In our church tours, we and the Elders take investigators around the meetinghouse while teaching the First lesson. (The Gospel Blesses Families in the primary room, Christ's Ministry in the Baptistry, the Restoration in the chapel, etc). At the end, James said he felt the spirit very strongly in the baptism portion of the lesson and all throughout the tour. "That's because it's true!" I responded. He got choked up. Sister Lewis invited him to be baptized (remember, this is our first lesson with James) and he committed to being baptized on August 10!! We told him to read the Book of Mormon (we gave him Enos) and pray to know it's true and that Joseph Smith is a prophet.

The next day we brought a member to his house for the second lesson, and he said, "I've already got my answer....I'm afraid to tell you it! When I ask God something, He always answers. " He recounted that as he drove home from the church tour he held up the Book of Mormon and said, "God, is this true?" He had a remarkable experience with the Spirit and the radio and other things that gave him an undeniable personal witness that our message was true. That night he read the first 20 pages of the Book of Mormon.

The next day (Saturday the 27th) he came to the Elders' baptism of two young boys. Met more members and shared an even stronger testimony.

Yesterday (the 28th) he came to church for all three hours. He texted the Bishop, "The truth won't stop, Andy. Never felt more related to a group in my life."

Tonight he is joining a member family for Family Home Evening.

WE FOUND JAMES BY KNOCKING ON HIS DOOR.

There is so much I am learning from this experience. After Elena was baptized, the desire of my heart was to see one more baptism before I go home. James has incredible faith and is so willing to act and do whatever the Lord asks of Him. I can't wait to see him dressed in white as he makes a covenant with Heavenly Father and receives the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

I can't even say this is the only miracle. We found another golden family to teach this week. The miracles are suddenly pouring in and there is not room enough to receive them. The Lord loves all of His children, and missionaries will see miracles when they prove to the Lord that He can trust them. We have nothing to do with James except knocking on his door. The Lord does not need missionaries to do His work, He can do it without us. He allows us to serve so that we can learn for ourselves and gain that experience and testimony for ourselves.

Ask, and ye shall receive.

Love,
Sister Nordstrom