Chapter 45: Miracles

"For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith."

2 Nephi 27:23

A week of miracles here in Airdrie; time and time again throughout the week we were able to see God's hand blessing our efforts this transfer, and it was wonderful. To tell it in a short way, we put two friends on date for baptism, had pretty incredible interactions with some returning members of the church, and found two new friends who both expressed wanting to work towards baptism. Needless to say, with an understanding of how this area has been over the recent months and years, it's nothing short of a miracle.

So, now we have a baptism this weekend, right before Elder Lewis goes home at the end of the transfer! Her name is Chloe, she's 12 years old and is just so prepared to be baptised. It's wonderful to have been able to see her come to know God really is there right in front of our eyes. I look forward to Saturday!

Overall, God has been here with this area, with these people, and I've been blessed by my time here thus far. Ultimately, this past week I feel as if I've grown a lot as well. I've been a missionary for a good amount of time, and this week it felt completely natural—more so than normal. It felt totally right to tell people sincerely that I represent Jesus Christ and his church, and that as his servant I have been given the authority to teach them and help them find real and lasting peace and joy for themselves through the Holy Ghost. I simply know it is true, and I love doing this work.

I love that our God is a God of miracles. It is simply miraculous to me that first off, over eleven months, God and Christ have been able to change me so deeply and help me so intimately to direct my growth in such a way as to inexplicably increase my happiness and peace. It's a miracle. But not only that, it is nothing short of a miracle that I've been able to see so many people be blessed by this gospel, by the Book of Mormon, by pure and simple faith. Faith that grows into something truly "sweet above all that is sweet...and pure above all that is pure" (Alma 32:42).

Miracles are real, the greatest of all being the gift of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the miracles which breathes life and power into all other miracles. Without Christ's sacrifice, there is no hope, no joy, no perspective, no peace. But, because of him, there is eternal hope, everlasting joy, ever-widening perspective, and pure, penetrating peace.

Because of Christ there are miracles to be had for each of us, but we must have faith. So please, choose to have faith. I can promise you that as you choose to have and act with even the smallest particle of faith, the power of God will begin to manifest itself as it sprouts from that small seed. The miracles of life will follow, the "fruit" will come, I promise.

Life is good.

God is wise.

Don't give up.

Elder Childers

Taco Bell in Glasgow...6.5/10

Saw Andrew! Absolutely love this man.

Zone pic

Pics from Pday! Went on a self-planned tour (planned by yours truly) of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. We got to see many Lochs, hike Ben A'an, see Finlarig Castle, the Glen Ogle Viaduct, the Falls of Falloch, and much more! Great pday to end the transfer with the Elders in the zone.