Week 24 - Miracle Week

My core experience this week would have to be a lesson we had with Zane last Monday. We had been talking about the Book of Mormon. As part of our lesson, we watched a "Mormon Message" on one man's experience the first time he read through it. The spirit was strong, and he agreed to read it everyday. As we've followed up with him on his reading, he's talked about how inspiring it has been to read it and learn more about what it teaches. I know I've talked about the Book of Mormon frequently in my letters, but it still amazes me what kind of effect it can have on those who read it.

This week, one of the recent converts who has been preparing for exams asked if I could teach Elder's quorum on his behalf. Somewhat unsurprisingly, the topic of the lesson was on missionary work. The lesson went well, and I was able to share my testimony of the role of home teaching in missionary work. As missionaries, we focus a lot on helping people build faith, exercise repentance, and receive the ordinances of baptism and confirmation, but it takes the efforts of the whole ward over many years to help each other endure to the end. I had planned on talking about that topic, but I had no idea that it would become a major focus in the lesson. The Holy Ghost just nudged me in that direction, and so that's where I went. I've gained a testimony of the relationship between missionary work and home teaching. They're basically the same thing, just at different points of someone's spiritual progression.

Last week, President Howes asked the missionaries to prepare a list of feelings they had and divine help they've received this week. So, here's my summary of this week's help. On Monday, we were able to share a great message with Zane (see core experience).
Tuesday, I received some help of a more temporal nature in the form of coupons for free food at the University. Wednesday, I was able to overcome some negativity I felt after a lesson that could have gone better and continue to work. On Thursday, we got a text from one of our investigators asking if we could meet some time (something I hadn't experienced before. Usually, it's the other way around). On Friday, I received specific revelation for the lessons we'd be teaching that day. On Saturday, I was able to be very successful in the finding efforts we did, much more so than I had been in the last few weeks. Sunday, I was blessed with the chance to teach Elder's quorum as well as sharing a great message with a family who fed us.

I've been able to see miracles every day this week. I know that when we look for them, we can find miracles happening around us all of the time.

Last week, we read 1 Nephi 16-20. I've really enjoyed seeing how Nephi becomes such a great spiritual leader during these chapters. He is a great example of someone who always tries to be better.

This week's assignment is a bit shorter, just 1 Nephi 21 and 22. Good luck!

Love,

Elder Clark

PLEA FROM ELDER CLARK'S MOTHER:  Elder Clark only wants letters for Christmas.  If you would, please send (even if it is short) a letter to Elder Clark.  Post it to Elder Clark; 945 S. Cedar Knolls West, Cedar City, UT 84720 and I will bundle them all up into a Christmas package.  Imagine what a fun time he'll have opening that package.  I will need these letter within a week or two to insure he gets them for Christmas.  Thanks for your support and love.