Trampas and Milagros

 

There are times when people fall. When there is a snare that they fall into and it is so difficult to rise out of. That was something we were contending with a lot this week. Not as a companionship, but with one of our members. He fell hard and most of our week was concentrated in our efforts to help, but our attempts were frustrated more often than not. It was heartbreaking to be unable to do anything that seemed to sufficiently help. Our spirits were relatively low for most of this week for this reason.

But, with every dark cloud, there's a silver lining. And I think I'm going to spend most of this letter talking about that silver lining.

First is that the Lord answers prayers! We fasted and prayed Sunday for this member as well as for the attendance at church. Both were answered! We had two investigators that came and several other people that don't normally come. Most importantly, our member who was having problems came. Things just worked out so well this Sunday for us to be able to help this member and get him to come to church and feel the Spirit there and dispell the dark thoughts he'd been fighting all week, 

I know that the Lord heard our prayers this day and we were so uplifted to be reminded that He was there helping us.

The other silver lining is, quite simply, the gospel. This member fell and his family, who are members of a different church, were not much support- reminding him of fire and brimstone for sinners. But that's not how the gospel functions!! We're ALL imperfect and if it was fire and brimstone for all those who comitted sins, we would all be condemned! Thankfully, those obstacles and problems in our life are experienced for one reason- to give us the opportunity to choose, and become more like Christ in every good decision. The hand of the Lord is outstretched ALWAYS for people to turn back to him. Always! This life is the opportunity to change and grow. It is the opportunity to have these experiences. Thanks to Jesus Christ and his atonement for us, we CAN fall. And then we can get back on our feet and press on with more strength. How wonderful! This is the message we have to share. And as we seemed to be the only advocates for our member-everyone else was quick to condemn his problem to an unchangeable nature- we knew that he CAN change. I know that the Lord has his hand outstretched to anyone that turns to him, no matter what point we're at in our lives. We can always turn back to him. How wonderful! 

Other things to note in our daily life: Hermana Sanchez was sick for a few days after me. We're taking turns it seems. I received lots of mail today. THANK YOU! I love receiving them all and pour over the words hungrily. Ah yes, we held something of a stake out a few times to try to keep watch on our member who was having difficulties. We woke up early and did all of our studying in the church with our focus also being on the street infront. Who knew that missionaries could also be like policeman. :) Love you all!

-Hermana Schultz