Sister Sabrina Trimble in Canada: Beyond Incredible August 8, 2016

This week has been beyond incredible... I don't even know where to begin, but here it goes! We had another lesson with Chris and it was amazing. We talked about the Restoration of the Gospel and really focused on how the Gospel blesses families. Since Chris and Amanda just had a little baby boy together that is what has softened their hearts and made them have a desire to learn more. It was so amazing to see how engaged Chris was while we talked about the Restoration and to see how Heavenly Father truly has prepared him. During the lesson we invited him to be baptized and he said YES!! It is such a special experience to be able to see the Spirit work within people and help them have a desire to "come unto Christ by receiving the Restored Gospel". I'm so excited to see all that Heavenly Father has in plan for Chris, Amanda and their cute family!

In addition we had another lesson with Jen this week. We are the first set of missionaries to actually teach her but she has been learning about the Gospel from her friends and neighbors for years. A while back she was at Dr. Torrie's (he is one of the Bishops in the Taber Stake and has been Jen's doctor for a few years) and before she left his office he just asked her if she had ever met with missionaries before. Jen said that she hadn't... so Bishop Torrie invited her to take the lessons, and she said YES!! Jen lives pretty far out of town, so there was a slim chance that we would have ever met her if it hadn't been for Bishop looking for an opportunity to share the Gospel. It goes to show that as the members and missionaries work together under the direction of the Spirit amazing miracles happen! Heavenly Father knows each of His children and as we follow the Spirit He can use each of us as instruments in His hands to help others around us feel of His love and learn about he Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.

During our lesson with Jen this week we really focused on The Book of Mormon and testified of how it has blessed our lives. Sister Torrie came with us and shared her experiences with The Book of Mormon, and it was so powerful. It was so neat to be able to see how Jen could relate to Sister Torrie. One of the things that I have been learning from meeting with Jen is that every little bit truly does count. Just like it says in 1 Nephi 16:29 "And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things." Jen has known members of the Church her whole life. She has had many gospel conversions with many of her friends and neighbors and each one of those interactions has prepared her for now. Each one of her friends and neighbors that opened their mouth to share how grateful they are for the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ has made a difference. I can only imagine at the time they probably thought that nothing was going to come out of the small amount that they talked with Jen about the Gospel... but because of what each of them have done over the years we have the opportunity to teach Jen. I know that at times we each might feel like we really aren't making a "BIG Difference" ( I know that I have felt that many times while serving my mission ). But I am really beginning to learn that each small act of: service, love, sharing the gospel, or anything else really does make a difference. I know that at times I want immediate results... but I am learning that good things take time and consistency. Elder Bednar says, "Just as... strokes of paint complement each other and produce an impressive masterpiece, so our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results." I am so grateful for each one of Jen's friends and neighbors for sharing the Gospel and being an instrument in the Lord's hands to help prepare Jen to receive the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I know that as each of us strive to be consistent in doing the small and simple things that Heavenly Father has asked us to do then it will "lead to significant spiritual results." I know at times it can be hard to have meaningful scripture study every day, to say personal and heartfelt prayers multiple times during the day, to look outward and serve others while we are so busy with life. But I know that as each of us turn to the Savior, He will help us. He will mold us into the Disciples He needs us to be... but it is going to take work on our part. We must do the "small and simple things" and be consistent. I am so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am grateful that because of our Savior we can become something much greater than we could on our own. I know that Jesus is The Christ, that He is mindful of each of us, and He loves us personally more than we can comprehend.