ANSWER TO PRAYERS ARE REAL

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!

Sister Houston's email:
July 5, 2011

hey family!
Sorry this is a day later then you were expecting. Im sure you figured out by now that the libraries were closed for the 4th of July. Im at the Kirtland Sites today. I dont have much time to email or to read my emails so sorry if I don't respond to anything that was sent!! I'll have to print them out and read them later today. Im very excited to read Mitchell's email!

Anyways, HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!! We had a nice little flag ceremony here yesterday morning, recognized those who have fought for our country, and then had a breakfast feast right after. It was an enjoyable day. Nice and HOT!! How was yours??? Did you guys go watch fireworks?

Well, Im doing good. I had an experience this week that strengthened my testimony of missionary work. I hope i will be able to put it into words so that you all can feel the power of it too!
Remember my email a few weeks back (June 13th to be exact) about tracting into Barbara? The one who has ancestors that worked on the Kirtland Temple? Ahhh im so excited to tell you about the what happened with her....
On Friday we met with Barbara for the first time. It went great. We got to know her better and taught the Restoration. Although it was the longest lesson ever (2 HOURS) it was one directed by the spirit. Barbara is another Joseph Smith! She's confused just like he was and is searching for answers. She has been to many many different churchs but has always felt that in each one there is something missing. Her spiritual needs haven't been satisfied. Barbara had great questions through out the lesson, one after the other. Ones that Sister Morrell and I would not of known how to answer with out the Spirit.
Growing up her grandma filled her in about her ancestors who were among the first members so she knew a little about the church. Some of her facts were off. Her ancestors joined in New York, traveled over to Kirland, and had a part in building the Kirtland Temple. When the saints left Ohio some stayed behind and others went on. Barbara already had a Book of Mormon. She's had it for years and doesnt remember how she got it. Ok so after the lesson we invited her to read the Restoration pamphlet and set up a time to come back after church on Sunday.
Sunday's lesson was even better! Barbara seemed very excited to have us there. She read the pamphlet and had more questions. The lesson went on and the conversation turned towards God having a plan for her and finding answers to her prayers. I love prayer. I know its the way to communicate with Heavenly Father and that he hears and answers them. I wanted her to know this! We were testifying and sharing personal experiences. The spirit was powerful. It brought to our minds questions to ask and scriptures to use. Barbara told us that after we left on Friday she came back in the house and sat right back down to read the pamphlet. Within minutes she had this overwhelming "weird and powerful" feeling come over her. She explained that shes met with other religious people to have Bible studies with but has never felt anything like she did. We tried to help her describe it. She said it was calm, peaceful, weird, powerful and she felt happy. The fruits of the Spirit!!! It was a different happy she said. A happy she's never experienced before. We shared scriptures with her and testified that this was the spirit.
It gets better....
Then she went on to say that just a couple days before we came knocking on her door she had knelt in prayer pleading with God and asking for help. Barbara has had a rough life. She's been married and divorced three times. One of her husbands beat her so badly he put her in the intensive care, another is in jail for doing wrong wrong things to her daughter and the last one took off when she was diagnosed with cancer. She's stayed strong and hopefully. She's always trusted in God and believes that he has a plan for her. Barbara said when she was praying she had know idea what to say or what to ask for she just knew she needed help. She needed something more. Then we came to her door just two days later!!! We testified some more and tried to help her see that this was an answer to her prayer.
This experience changed my mission. As she was talking I kept thinking about those mormon messages where members share how they were praying for help and the next day missionaries came knocking on there door!! Ha it happened to me!! Missionary work is Real. I know more then ever that its the Lords work. His hand is in it. Her ancestors have to be around her preparing her to receive this message. I have such an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my Heavenly Father for allowing me to have this experience.
I hope you all know that Heavenly Father and Christ are living. Thats ok if you don't but I strongly encourage you to find out for yourself if they are. It will bring true and lasting happiness into your lives!! They love us and know us. There are angels around us preparing the hearts of Gods children to except this message.

I love you family!! Thank you for everything!! I hope you all have a fabulous week!!!


Love,
Sister Houston