Branch Christmas Party Miracles

We had some great “payoffs” this week. On Saturday four of the families with whom we have been working acted on our invitation and came to the branch Christmas dinner and party. The Carlsons and their children, who haven’t been to church in over two years, came and were warmly greeted by the members. This is the family that we visit on a weekly basis and Sister Johnson teaches the children (and the parents) Primary lessons out of the Book of Mormon. We could tell something was touching them. Our visits this last month have been noticeably more spiritual. There have been fewer distractions, the house is cleaner and better organized and the family is there and waiting when we arrive for our appointment. The father’s work hours have changed some so maybe they will be able to attend more.

The second family is a young single mother with two of the cutest daughters a person could hope for. They have been before. She lives with her parents who are struggling, yet she responded to our invitation and came. I must say we used a little unorthodox persuasion by telling the parents of both families we would have gifts for their children so that we assumed they would be there unless they told us differently. We figured we had a less than 50% chance that this mother and her girls would come. We were wrong.

The third appearance was perhaps the sweetest. It was by the brother who asked for a blessing when we first arrived and through his faith was healed of a bunch of ailments that had been bothering him for years. We visit him and his father weekly and he has been making significant progress. His father was the counselor in the Branch Presidency when we arrived. This brother is not happy with the church for the way he perceives the church (or its leaders) treated his parents, especially his mother. He is friendly, however, and always glad to see us. He is a fantastic musician. He composes, sings and plays the electric guitar professionally. He was hoping for a career in rock music when all this stuff with the church happened. (It had nothing to do with his music). Because of his abilities Sister Johnson thought to request that he play Silent Night on the acoustic guitar as a fitting ending to the branch party. He refused. He knew the electric but not the acoustic…besides it was in church and he definitely was NOT coming there. We encouraged him to reconsider. Sometimes he said “maybe” but mostly it was “no”. Four days before the party he sort of agreed to come but it was still iffy. When he came, we were so excited to see him. After his performance, which for Sister Johnson and me was the highlight of the night, here is what he told us, “Yesterday I had decided not to come but when I got up this morning I had a pleasant but strange feeling come over me and I realized I was being a jerk about it”. He had experienced a  “change of heart” brought about by the Holy Ghost and the prayers of many of the members. He went on to thank us for hanging with him and giving him the “kick in the pants” when he needed it. He also thanked us for pushing him to pick up the acoustic guitar. After being forced to learn to play Silent Night he started to get the hang of it and said he quite liked it. So when he becomes famous remember, it is because of two over-the-hill missionaries and the Lord who refused to give up on a brother who has the talent to bless many of us. We are hopeful his progress will continue, as he is very much needed in this branch and is such a very good person.

Other notable attendees included all of the non-members that came to the Mormons Next Door presentation last Saturday. One young man already has a baptismal date after meeting with the Elders this last week. Also attending the branch party was the investigator with whom we have been working since arriving here. Our visit with him last week was quite intense. Our discussion centered on the necessity for and the requirement to exercise faith. His final response was, “I guess I don’t have enough faith”. The Spirit is telling us to keep the pressure on, so this coming week we will once more talk about the evidences God has given us to help us with our faith and how to recognize truth. He was at church again on Sunday. He seems to be sincere. We set a baptismal date for the 22^nd of December two weeks ago and we keep talking about it. For now it is “our date”, he hasn’t committed yet.

These experiences are very much like watching your children make good decisions that result in tangible blessings for you and them "...both are edified and rejoice together". It is a Spirit-to-Spirit kind of thing.

With much love and gratefulness,

Elder and Sister Johnson

If we don't remember later (and it's likely) here is a early Merry Christmas wish from us to you.