"PRAYER: As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are His children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part (Matt. 7:7–11). Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship. Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant but that are made conditional on our asking for them."
God heard and answered my prayer. He did not do it immediately or how I thought or would prefer, but He helped things happen exactly as they needed to happen. The program slowly but surely came together and the baptismal room was filled with happy, supportive members, welcoming their sister back home. Leading up to the baptism was not a cake walk, it was filled with challenges. The adversary was trying hard to stop this strong daughter of God from taking this step. I felt once again the peace and beauty of God working through me as words were put in my mouth what I should say. After fasting and much prayer it all worked out. Elena was able to come with her entire family into the church that beautiful, sunny, Saturday morning... including her husband (who by the way bought a nice suit just for the occasion). The members came, the Spirit was strong, and Elena was able to enter in the strait and narrow path that leads us home to our Loving, Father in Heaven. I was honored to have a literal front row seat to this miracle along side her sweet family.
After a very beautiful, yet exhausting baptism, I thought we had done it - JAWOHL! Nope. Did I mention I had gotten three hours of sleep the night of Elena`s baptism? I was literally like a five-year-old. I felt like it was Christmas - I woke up in the middle of the night and could not sleep. I was too excited and anxious. Well after the baptism...my lack of sleep caught up to me. I had a cold and all I wanted was to sleep (I can sleep when I die, right?!) . Well our great bishop came up to me after the baptism and said how great the baptism was and asked if I could speak the next day in sacrament meeting. Ohhhh the joys of being a missionary ;) I asked him if he remembered that I had given a talk three weeks before...he said he did with a smile on his face. I said yes. of course. Inside I was dying, but knew Heavenly Father would help me like He always does.
So we finished things up at the church, made sure things were all clean and tidy and we were off. As we were almost to our train, I realized we had forgotten our cell phone at the church. So we walked back! On the way back, Sister Kutschke said, "Hey, maybe we need to be at the church!" And she was right! As we walked back into the office of the church, the telephone of the church rang. What? That phone NEVER rings. Talk about good timing. I answered. The voice on the other line was a woman named Margit. I would like to call her Miracle Margit. Margit began to tell me her life story and background. Margit is an American whose father served in the military here in Munich. Her parents met and fell in love and their family has lived here in Munich for the past 60+ years. Her father was Mormon and her mother, catholic. Here in Bayern, everyone and their dog is catholic. Back then, as their family began, it was much more the case. Margit`s family was raised catholic as a result. After repeated awful experiences with the church, when Margit herself was a young mother, she took her name off of the catholic church records. Her faith in God was never lost and her father always taught her correct principles. Well on Thursday, this last week, the light bulb went on in Margit. After always missing something in her life and searching for that missing piece, Margit had an interesting phone call. She was talking to a friend of hers who she has known for over nine years. During this particular conversation, for one reason or another, Margit told this friend that her father was Mormon. The friend on the other line then said that she too was Mormon. As her friend said these words, Margit said that she was overcome with Spirit. She had goosebumps, felt peace, and KNEW that the Mormon church was her home. The light bulb went on. Since that conversation she had read and learned about the church, looked up the information for the church here in Munich and decided to call right at the perfect time when we walked into the church. During our 40 minute telephone call, I will never forget the beautiful words she used, she said over and over again that the church of God was ALWAYS THERE, she knew that this is where she belonged, this was Home. Sunday I was able to welcome this beautiful, once "lost sheep", back home in the Church of Jesus Christ, His church on the earth. She loved it and felt right at home.
I bear testimony, that God lives and that He loves us. He has a plan for us. Miracles never cease. His timing is always perfect. I am grateful for this last week. I am grateful that when we have faith, ask for His help, do our best, and not get in the way of His work, miracles happen. I am overwhelmed with the knowledge of His goodness and patience with His children and for the fact that He allows us to witness these life changing experiences.
Ich habe euch Lieb!
XOXOXO
Schwester Jaynes
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