miracles

Sadie's email this morning. It's going to be a beautiful day. 

There's no way that i'ts P-day again! Holy toledo! Haha how is my favorite family in the whole wide world?? Ok Mom I sent you a really long letter on Halloween all about all the question you had, it should get there today :)

I have so much to tell you about! Honestly this week was just like a tap on the shoulder from Heavenly Father saying "Hey, I really am watching out for you and I know that you're trying!" Ok so let's see- So we went to go check out a referral from the Elders on Wednesday (I think) and so we drove over to this lady's home. She is 71 years old and she is amazing beyond all belief. So we knocked on her door, she let us in and we just started talking about her life. She's had it pretty rough, her son passed away, she had a divorce, and raised 8 kids by herself. Her claim is "I did not raise these kids by myself, together me and God did." She is so humble and I really had no idea just what kind of miracle we were about to experience. We invited her to church and she came, and after church we went to go teach her. We brought one of our ward missionaries, Sister Santana, who is 60 and quite the riot haha. But she is a really good missionary. So we went in and had some small talk for awhile. Sister Santana came and we started the lesson. We felt prompted to talk about the Plan of Salvation and it turned out amazing. (Keep in mind, I was fasting because I felt like I really needed to) We got towards the end of the lesson, talking about the Spirit World, and the three kingdoms of glory, and she started to cry. We just sat there for a minute until she gathered some words to speak. She said "This makes so much sense to me. When I divorced my husband, I thought I was going to Hell. I've tried all my life and now I know exactly what I've been looking for, and this is it. I know this is true. I've been to so many churches and I moved out here to Houston looking for His answers. When I first saw y'all, I thought you were angels. In fact, you are my angels. Thank you, thank you so much." 

She went on to talk about how she had cancer, her daughter is being tested for breast cancer, and so many other trials. But she has been faithful to God her whole life. I honestly was in shock the whole time because the Spirit in the room was so strong, and I couldn't talk for the remainder of the lesson. 

On top of that, we went to see Veronica this week. Thank you for all of your prayers, because a miracle happened. Her husband kept saying no to her coming to church. We left the lesson feeling good though, and suddenly she came running out and said "Sisters, sisters! I asked Rick and he said Yes!! We are coming to church!" We were so excited I could not even explain it. It was stake conference, so they came to the adult session on Saturday, but then they didn't come Sunday... we think Rick didn't want to come. But still miracles! Everywhere! And another investigator, Ila , came too! And Phylisia , a 22 year old mom with 3 kids, and the less active family, and Mary! Seriously so many blessings this week! 

We had Zone Meeting on Thursday, it was the best meeting I've been to here so far. Our Zone leader read this poem, by an Elder who was in the Houston mission: (Sorry it's long) 

HE'S BEEN THERE BEFORE
By Elder Troy Whittle,
Texas, Houston 
Mission
The alarm rings at 6:30; I stumble to my feet.
 I grab my  companion's bedding and pull off his sheet.
A groan fills the room, is it  already time to arise?
 It seems like just a second ago I was able to  shut my eyes.
The morning activities follow - study, prayer, and  such.
When it's time to leave the apartment, you feel you haven't  accomplished much.
"We have a super day planned," my comp says with a  grin.
 I lowly utter a faithless breath, "Yeah, if anyone lets us  in.
"With the word of God and my faithful Schwinn, we ride off in the  street
Prepared to face another day of humidity and heat.
It's 9:30 in the  evening, the day is almost through;
My companion and I are riding home, not  accomplishing what we thought to do.
We ride up to the mailbox, hoping to  receive a lot.
Only to look inside and hear my echo reverberate "Air  Box."
We go up to our apartment, the day is now complete.
The only thing  to show for our work is a case of blistery feet.
It's past 10:30 PM, my  companion is fast asleep.
Silence engulfs me all about and I begin to  weep.
In the midst of sadness, I kneel down to pray;
I need to talk to  Father, but I'm not sure what to say.
"Oh, Father," I begin, "What happened  to us today?
I thought we'd teach somebody, but everyone was away.
My  hands, my aching hands - worn, hurt and beat;
If our area was any smaller,  we'd have knocked every street .."
"Why on missions are the days so much alike?
The only difference about today was the flat tire on my bike.
Will  you send some cooler weather? The heat is killing me.
I sweat so bad, it gets  in my eyes; It's very hard to see."
"Why do I have to wear a helmet, isn't  your protection enough?
People always laugh at me and call me stupid  stuff.
Please send us investigators so I may give them what they lack;
I  want to give them Books of Mormon, the weight of them hurts my back."
"And  what about my family? They don't have much to say,
I'm sick of not hearing  from home, day after day after day.
Oh Father, why am I here, am I just  wasting time?
Sometimes I just want to go home, I'm sorry but that's on my  mind."
"My companion, Heavenly Father, what are you giving me?
The way he  rides his bicycle, I don't think he can see.
Now you have it, I can't go on  I don't know what to do;
That, my Father in Heaven, is the prayer I have for  You.
"My prayer now finished I stand up, then jump right into bed.
I need  my rest for tomorrow; we have another long day ahead.
Sleep starts to  overtake me; I seem to drift away,
Then it seems a vision takes me to another  time and another day.
I'm standing alone on the hill, the view is very  nice;
A man walks towards me and says, "My name is Jesus Christ."
Tears of  joy well up inside, I fall down to His feet,
"Arise," He states, "Follow Me  to the shade - you and I need to speak.
"My attentions toward the Savior,  total and complete.
He says, "Your mission is similar of what happened to  Me,
I understand how you feel, I know what you're going through;
In fact  it would be fair to say I've felt the same as you."
"I even know how you felt when no one listened to you.
At times I felt not quite sure what else I could  do.
I know you don't like to ride a bicycle, for you a car would be  sweet;
Just remember the donkey I rode wasn't equipped with 21 speeds."
"I  understand you don't like sweating, in fact it's something you hate;
I  remember when I sweat blood from every pore, oh the agony was great!
I see  you don't like your companion - you'd rather have someone else.
I once had a  companion named Judas who sold my life for wealth."
"It's hard to wear a  helmet and have people make fun of you.
I remember when they put thorns on my  head and called me King of the Jews.
So you feel burdened down by the weight  of your pack.
I recall how heavy the cross was when they slammed it on my  back."
"Your hands hurt from tracting and knocking on doors all day.
I  guess when they pounded nails into mine, I ached in a similar way.
It's hard  not to hear from home when your family's not there to see;
I lost my  communication on the cross and cried, "Father, why hast Thou forsaken Me."
He  embraced me with His arms, His light filled me with His love,
With tears in  my eyes I watched as He went back to the Father above.
I stood with awe and  wonder when a beep rang in my head,
I listened and heard the alarm, then  realized I was in my bed.
My companion let out a groan, "6:30 already, no  way!"
I sat up and said, "Come on, I'll even carry your scriptures  today!"
No matter what we go through, when we feel we can’t take  more;
Just stop and think about Jesus Christ. He has been there before.

There was not an eye dry in the room after he read that. I felt ready to go and tract every house no matter what, after he read that. We felt as a companionship, we could do better at "Power Hour". Now, power hour is unique to the Texas Houston mission. It's where we go to someone's house for dinner at 5, ask them to pray for us and if they can, come out with us between 6-7. EVERYONE in the mission does this, so imagine all the prayers we get at that hour! So we did that one day, had a family pray for us, and out we went. At the end of it, we didn't have much luck but we felt determined. We saw a man leaving his house, and so we ran up to talk to him. The more we talked, the more we realized he had been prepared to talk to us. Finally he said " I've really been looking for a church lately. I just want to feel the Spirit more." Blessings!! On Blessings! With more blessings on top!! 

I cannot describe the happiness and joy I have felt this week. I know when we are faithful, even during the hard times, the rewards we reap are far greater than the seeds we sow. I love to serve and to be a representative of Christ. There is no greater joy. I love you all and thank you for all your prayers! We can bring forth his word when we work together!!

All my love,

Sister Sadie Maughan

Sadie claims these two almost beat the elders in basketball sometimes:)

Happiest Monday!