Faith really does precede the miracle

The Port in Heysham

Date: Mon, Mar 29, 2010 at 5:19 AM
Subject: Re: March on!

Hello Everyone!

We've had a great week here in Preston! Spring is proving to be not as good as we had originally hoped, but we know it will improve. And we're happy also to have the time change. It's light outside until nearly 9:00 every night! It's exciting.

So many miracles have happened since last week and we've also been very busy. Tuesday we had to pick up the Isle of Man Elders from the port in Heysham and we worked with them for the day. The next day was Zone Conference, the next day we had a special meeting with the Area President at the Mission Home, and on Friday we traveled to some of the farthest areas in the zone for a couple of Baptismal interviews. The past two days we've been busy teaching and it's all gone so fast!

One amazing miracle that happened was actually the night before Zone Conference. One of the Missionaries we live with became very ill with a stomach problem. He was throwing up and in intense pain for most of Tuesday evening. It was decided that we needed to take him to the hospital so we took him there that night. The miracle of it was that before we drove him there we gave him a blessing. We had the Isle of Man Elders with us so there were 5 Elders altogether giving the blessing. With our combined faith he started feeling better on the way to the hospital and by the time we left the hospital about an hour later he was a little tired but fine. I testify that the power of God is real and that it is held by men on earth to bless others. It works. The other amazing thing about this is that the sick Elder goes home in a couple of weeks. If he had not been healed, he would have missed his last Zone Conference.

Speaking of Zone Conference it was spectacular. President Bullock gave a powerful training on the Atonement, Elder Griffeth and I got to train our zone on committing investigators to repent, and that same Elder that was sick the previous night conducted a powerful musical number. Zone Conferences are very tiring, there is something about feeling the spirit for an entire morning and afternoon that just takes all the energy out of a Missionary.

The next great happening was the next day when we had a special meeting at the Mission Home with President Kopischke, the Europe Area President. The spirit was very strong there as well and everyone learned a lot. We were tired after this meeting also!

Friday was great as well. We spent somewhere around 5 hours in the car traveling first to an area called Workington which is up north, then to an area called Blackpool which isn't too far from Preston. It sure did take a long time though. Elder Griffeth and I got to conduct a couple of Baptismal interviews for investigators who were Baptised in these areas on Saturday. It seemed like a lot of driving for such a little thing, but that's not the only blessing we received from it. Elder Griffeth had the faith and diligence to ring all of our former investigators while we were traveling, and we were very blessed for it.

On Saturday we were able to teach one of these formers, Micah, who is from Botswana. He was taught previously but he remembers a little of what was taught. As we shared the first vision with him the spirit was very strong and he accepted to be Baptised! He is a great man and you'll hear more about him in the future. Also on Saturday we were able to have Tea with a member family named the Evans who are amazing. One of the daughters goes round to the neighbors houses and has them read in the Book of Mormon and checks them off on a little chart. They are such a strength to the Church and I'm happy to be able to work with them.

Sunday was fantastic. We had no investigators at Church though. We can use your prayers in behalf of the Preston area and ward that we'll be able to get some investigators at Sacrament Meeting next week. Every time I've asked all of us to unite our faith to pray for something it's happened. The Preston area needs this right now so I invite us all to do it again. I know that miracles will come!

The fantastic part of Sunday was the afternoon and evening. We taught 6 new investigators. Four of them were a Family who were taught previously, Elder Griffeth found their records when he was phoning all of the former investigators. As we taught about the Restoration one of the daughters in the family listened very intently and seemed to be just thirsting for more. They all accepted to be Baptised as well and this little girl, Neha (pronounced nayha) is very very excited for Baptism. It's such a miracle to be able to teach such prepared people! Also, that evening we taught two more new investigators, Tanya and Carla. They were referred to us by a member and we taught them in this members home. They learned a lot as we taught about Joseph Smith and the Restoration and they also accepted to be Baptised! It's amazing. These people all just need to come to Church and stay committed, that's what the struggle seems to be here recently is committed investigators. I have the faith and confidence though that these people will pull through and be able to be Baptised. They all need it and deserve it so much!

Well, one thing I've learned this week is that faith really does precede the miracle. As we've seen so many miracles recently I can look back and see at least one faithful action before we saw each miracle. I also learned that when we repent we access the infinite power of the Atonement. I testify that that power is real and that it can bless us daily. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true and living church on the earth. Thomas S. Monson is a true Prophet of God. I testify that this weekend at General Conference we have an opportunity to hear God speaking to us through His living Prophet. That's why we always come away from conference feeling like certain talks were just for us. It's because the Savior Jesus Christ knows each one of us and He gives revelation to the leadership of this, His church. He did in reality shed a certain amount of drops of blood and spend a certain amount of time suffering for each and every one of us personally. I know that this is true because I feel it and I've experienced it. The Atonement is the Gospel and it's not about what we know about it that makes the difference, it's what we feel from it that changes our lives and brings us closer to our Heavenly Father and true and lasting happiness. I know this is true because I know that the Book of Mormon is true by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost as I have asked God in sincere prayer if it is true. I testify that this Gospel can and will affect all of our lives for the better, but only as much as we exercise faith in Jesus Christ to repent of our sins and keep our covenants with God to the end of our lives. How blessed are we to have the truth from God.

Well, I love you all. I hope you have a wonderful week and keep up the amazing work. I testify of God's love for all of us. You are truely the salt of the earth. I couldn't be here without your help. Prepare well for General Conference.

Love,

Elder L. Rowley

North to Carlisle

Date: Mon, Mar 22, 2010 at 5:57 AM
Subject: Re: March on!


Hello Everyone!

I hope you're all having a great week and that you are enjoying the spring! It's always the best time of the year. For March we did have sunshine every single day until the past couple days when we've had rain, but at least the temperature has been staying warmer than the winter!

Our week has been good and busy! The next day after I last wrote we woke up in the morning, got ready and made the nearly 2 hour drive up north to Carlisle for District Meeting! Our District Leader up there, Elder Torres, is French and he is amazing. We had a great meeting and we were able to work with Elder Torres and his Bulgarian companion, Elder Krustev for the day. We saw a lot of miracles and talked with some wonderful people!

The next day we traveled to an area called Workington and worked with a couple of Elders that were in my districts back when I was a district leader. I can see they've both improved since I last worked with them, which makes me very happy. I worked with an Elder Brown and we taught a couple named Rob and Michelle who accepted to be Baptised on April 17th! We also spoke with some amazing people and worked hard.

The weekend passed quickly but we were blessed with many miracles. We had an unexpected lesson with a young man named Simon on a bench outside the train station. He accepted to be Baptised and sounded very excited for everything, but sadly we haven't been able to get a hold of him since we taught him! It happens too often that we have a great miracle of teaching someone right there on the street or wherever and then we can't contact them anymore. I keep thinking about how to help our new investigators become more solid.

Anyway, on the flip side we were also able to teach a man named Aaron in the street on Saturday! He is amazing and is very prepared to hear the Gospel. He also accepted to be Baptised and come to Church and everything! He lives in the area just south of ours called South Ribble, they meet in the same chapel. The best part was yesterday when we were walking out of Church the South Ribble ward services were starting and we saw these two Elders we'd given the information to walking into Church with Aaron!! Elder Griffeth and I were grinning from ear to ear!

Church yesterday was good as well (I played the piano again), but none of our investigators came. We haven't been able to get a hold of Wendy for a couple days, and Sudip just didn't come. Please pray for them, that we'll be able to continue teaching them again this week.

Well, that's about it this week. I just want to once again testify to you that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world. He lives this very day and His Atonement can have power in our lives this very day as we repent of our sins. I testify that repentance works. I know that Prayer is powerful and it changes things. God is our loving Heavenly Father and He loves and cares for each of us. We are truely His children. I tesify that through the Prophet Joseph Smith the knowledge of God's plan for our happiness, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, has been restored to the earth; as well as the authority to administer the ordinances of the Gospel. The Book of Mormon is true evidence of this and it is the keystone of this testimony. Living the Gospel is the only path to true and lasting happiness in this life and Eternal Life with our families in the next life. Let us live it!

I love you all and I hope you have a wonderful week. Keep up the amazing work. Seek to serve, for that's our Father in Heaven's purpose for us, His saints.

Love,

Elder L. Rowley

Worldwide mission

Date: Mon, Mar 15, 2010 at 5:44 AM
Subject: Re: March on!

Hiya Everyone!

I hope you've all had a great weekend! Ours has gone by very fast! We continue to see amazing miracles that I'm excited to tell you all about.

Thursday we were busy planning for the zone and teaching our investigators, and on Friday we got to go to a meeting with President Bullock and his Assistants at the Mission Home. It was great and I learned a lot. It was all gone before we knew it.

On Saturday we had a meeting with our District Leaders in the zone and it was great to see them. We have a lot of foreign Missionaries in our Mission and one of our District Leaders is French and his companion is Bulgarian! Our other District Leader is from Colorado and his companion is German. In our zone we also have Scottish, Welsh, English, and of course American Missionaries. It's a great zone. Anyway, those meetings were good and it seemed like we've been in meetings every day since I last wrote. But what's happened in between the meetings is what's the most amazing part.

Saturday morning we went to Chorley and taught a wonderful man named Sudip at the Stake Centre there (it's on the Temple site so we were right next to the Temple). We were referred to him by the Mission Office and when we rang him we discovered that he lives in the far boundaries of our area so we had to meet him in Chorley to save time. He is seeking relief and he found it as we taught the Restoration and as he came to Church yesterday. He also accepted to be Baptised on April 10th and we're excited to see him again tonight and give him a calendar describing all the events that will lead to his Baptism. He is a wonderful man who will greatly benefit from the Restored Gospel!

Church yesterday was great as well. Sudip enjoyed it a lot and we also were able to have some Less-Actives and recent converts there as well! Yesterday was Mother's Day for England and it was a great service! I also got to play the piano for Sacrament meeting again and surprised myself playing some hymns I've never really played before!

After Church we were so blessed to teach a wonderful woman named Wendy. A few weeks ago we felt that we needed to go to a certain street to tract. As we tracted we didn't see much success, but one kind man gave me the name and house number of his daughter, Wendy. I really felt the spirit as I spoke with him. We were unable to contact Wendy for a while, but when we did she asked us when we could come and see her. Usually we ask people when we can see them! So after having to reschedule a few times we finally saw her yesterday and it was amazing. As we taught about Joseph Smith and the First Vision she felt the spirit telling her it's true. She accepted to be Baptised on April 10th as well. She explained to us that when we first spoke with her we mentioned finding the truth. Well, she has been searching for the truth for a long time now, going from church to church and never being able to have the hole in her heart filled. At the end of the lesson she was pointing to her heart and talking of how she feels that this is true. We are so excited for her. She even texted us later in the day and told us of how she read and prayed and felt once again that it's all true. We are so excited for her and we're praying for her to come to church and to have strength against the adversary. With great blessings come great responsibility! We'll work hard to ensure that she will receive the blessings of Baptism.

Well, the Church is true. This is the day of miracles. I testify that the Atonement of Jesus Christ works and that it is the most powerful force on the earth. Through our Faith to live the other principles and ordinances of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, I testify that we expeience the greatest happiness in our lives, and prepare ourselves to enjoy all of the blessings that our Heavenly Father enjoys. I know that the Plan of Salvation is real. I know that prayer works. I know that the power of the Priesthood is real. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. It is the keystone of my testimony of all else. I testify that as we read from it and apply it's precepts in our lives we do experience greater faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Gospel is true.

I love you all so much. I couldn't do this work without your help and support and prayers and encouragement. Keep up the amazing work. Never forget how good you are, you truely are the salt of the earth. Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Elder L. Rowley

Tracting in the sun

Date: Wed, Mar 10, 2010 at 11:17 AM
Subject: Re: March on!

Hiya Everyone!

We've seen many many miracles this past week, but I don't have too much time to write about all of them! Today we've been driving a Missionary to the docks in Heysham to travel to the Isle of Man and we also picked up Elder Cowley to be transferred to his new area. It's been a lot of fun but tiring at the same time!

So the first miracle is that we've been blessed with 14 new investigators in the past week and a half since I wrote. Not all of them are still progressing, but some amazing people are still being taught. Please pray for them all to have a desire to come to Church and be Baptised.

Last week on Wednesday we taught three Chinese friends and an African couple. We're still working on setting up return appointments with them, but I'm excited to see them progress.

On Saturday we had tea with Chung and Oscar, our Chinese recent converts. When we arrived we saw that they were still preparing it so we said we would go out and look for people to teach while they prepared it. They told us of a man at number 7 of their flat complex that might be interested. So we went down and knocked on his door and ended up teaching him! We're still working to set up a return appointment with him as well, but I have good hopes for him.

Sunday was a miraculous day as well. In the afternoon we were tracting in the sun (every day in March has been sunny by the way) and we were able to teach a woman on the pavement outside her house! She was really kind but we rang her and she said she's not interested anymore sadly. But the great thing is that after we spoke with her I stopped a man from Israel named Niv who we taught later that evening. He is amazing, he felt the spirit right after we said the opening prayer! Also that day we taught another Chinese man named Sidney who is great as well.

On Monday we went teaching with a member and when we met him he had been helping a woman whos car broke down. He asked her if he could give her a copy of the Book of Mormon and so we explained it to her and set up an appointment with her and we ended up teaching her yesterday! It was amazing, she is great and she is even going to come to Church on Sunday! I'm excited for her and all of these amazing new people we have to teach.

Well, don't ever forget that there is a God in Heaven who loves us and is mindful of us and is concerned about our happiness more than we are concerned about it. Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. The Book of Mormon is a true witness of this and it will bring us closer to Him than any other book. Faith in Jesus Christ leads to our diligent obedience to God's commandments to serve others which produces miracles. Elder Griffeth taught me that. The Church is true. The Restoration is real and we are so blessed because of it.

I love you all so much. I hope you have a wonderful week and keep up the amazing work! I couldn't be here without you!

Love,

Elder L. Rowley

Good day sunshine!

The beautiful Lake District

Date: Mon, Mar 1, 2010 at 6:19 AM
Subject: Happy March!

Hello Everyone!

It felt great to wake up this morning and go for a run down to the River Ribble and see no clouds in the sky. It was also brighter outside as well. And it's even warming up. It feels like spring is on the way and we're all very excited! March is going to be a great month.

We had an amazing week last week. Our efforts the week before really paid off. Tuesday was probably one of the most miraculous days of my mission. At 10:00 we were walking out of the flat just like normal but Elder Griffeth wasn't feeling well. So as we were driving we kept getting promptings to go back and stay in. After taking his temperature and discussing the pros and cons we decided it would be best for everyone if we stayed in so Elder Griffeth could get better. Well, while he was sleeping I spent the entire afternoon ringing people. I must have made over 100 phone calls to potential investigators or former investigators. It was so much fun and it went fast. But the amazing thing about it was that from that I set up a few appointments to go teach people!

So that night we went to one of these appointments I scheduled and taught a couple of young women from Nepal named Karisma and Deepa. As we taught the Restoration they felt the spirit and committed to come to Church! So we were blessed with two new investigators! But that's not even the half of the blessings we received that night. We walked out the door and spoke with maybe 3 people and a man named John let us walk with him to his home and teach him! He started to smoke halfway through the lesson though, and we didn't want the Holy Ghost to leave so we asked him to stop. He promptly kicked us out of his home and we were suddenly in the street wondering what just happened. So we walked back to the area where we parked the car and stopped a man walking into a convenient store. We stopped him and he said that we could teach him right there after he got a soft drink. So we taught him the Restoration and he became a new investigator and accepted to be Baptised in a few weeks! And he lives right next to Karisma and Deepa. I was just in awe the whole night at what was happening. So we had 3 new investigators just from a simple follow up with a potential investigator. But that's not all just yet.

On Wednesday we had interviews and training and we got to train for an hour and a half on teaching the commandments. It went really well and I was really happy for that. We also had another great training from Sister Bullock about study and it's enhanced all of our studies so much. It also felt great to be with our zone and get to serve them. That night, for just a little while, I got to work with one of our Assistants to President Bullock, Elder Bills. We taught another new investigator named Sunny. He was great and we will hopefully see him sometime this week. He is also friends with a Recent Convert which will make the conversion process easier.

Then on Thursday we taught another person that I rang when Elder Griffeth was feeling ill. His name is Grant and he is an amazing Chinese University student. He liked learning about the Restoration and just before we left he said "I am interested in your Church." It was amazing. He even came to Church yesterday and he enjoyed it! The only thing that might hold him back is that he is very busy. Pray for him to understand the importance of us teaching him and allow us to teach him more. So that was another new investigator from the people that I rang on Tuesday.

On Friday I got to work with Elder Knight from London. He is amazing. I came out with him and even got to work with him once before and it was great to work with him again. He has improved and he said that I have as well. He taught me a lot about having care and concern for investigators. He is so good at teaching for their needs. I really enjoyed working with him.

The next day we saw many amazing miracles, but one really stands out to me. We had this referral for a woman named Wendy that we've had for a while. So we had some time to visit her and as I knocked on her door and shared the Gospel with her and how Families can be together forever she happily accepted to learn more and even asked me if we could set up a return appointment! She is amazing and we are seeing her on Wednesday. We just keep seeing miracles left and right!

And then there was yesterday. Also very miraculous. Church was great, we had recent converts there, less-actives we're working with, and even Grant as I said before. Elder Kerr, an Area Seventy, was there and we all learned a lot from him. Oh and I even got to play the piano again and I'm starting to enjoy that more and more. We just felt great when we came out of Church. Then in the afternoon we were street contacting/tracting in an area and met a man named Evans who let us teach him! He is from Africa originally, but he's lived in Leeds most of his life! I was excited about that. Anyway, we taught him the Restoration and he soaked it all up so well and also accepted to be Baptised in a few weeks. It was amazing. We also were able to meet many more really good people yesterday and set up return appointments with them. I'm excited to see who we'll get to teach this week from those people!

Well, this is getting to be a very long e-mail. But it's just evidence to me that as we put in our full efforts; heart, might, mind, and strength; and trust in the Lord to make up for what we can't do, then we see miracles. This is what faith is. It truely precedes the miracle and it all comes from us taking some sort of action in the right direction. I testify that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. The Book of Mormon is the word of God and it is how I gain my testimony of Jesus Christ. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a true Prophet of God and that if we will do what God tells us through President Monson then we will be happy. The Gospel is true, let us live it!

I love you all. I hope you have a wonderful week and keep up the amazing work. Don't forget that I'm always mindful of you in my prayers and that you've done so much to help me to be here. I can't thank you enough for all you do for me.

Love,

Elder L. Rowley