Faith over fear!

Monday September 11

What a week it's been, in crazy and wonderful ways!

Last Monday we drove out to the boonies of Stockton with Mildred to the Morris' home where we had a Labor Day barbecue with all the good Southern fixins! Mildred showed us all how to grill ribs done right. :)

Tuesday our district meeting was cancelled last minute, which was a very inspired decision by President Smith. Around 9am, Mildred called us to tell us she had been throwing up all night and all morning and wanted to go to the ER but was unable to drive herself.

Brother Albritton drove right over to take her and we said we'd drive over to be with her once he left.As we closed the door to our apartment, I realized I hadn't grabbed the keys and we were locked out! But then we realized we live right across the street from the hospital, so thank heavens for that! We walked over to check on Mildred, who was resting in a room after the doctors had drawn some blood for tests. Eventually we had to leave for an appointment, but dear Sister Spencer drove down to be with her for the rest of the day, as well as much of the next day which was a huge blessing to Mildred and us. (Mildred ended up having an awful stomach virus, but she is out of the hospital and is doing much better now after good rest, medicine, and a priesthood blessing). Anywho, walking across the hospital parking lot, I had a strong impression to look down the far right side where there would be a person we needed to talk to. Sure enough, I looked down a row of cars and saw a woman sitting in her truck. So we embraced the awkward and walked over to talk with her. Jenifer was so kind, told us she has been looking for a church to join, and happily and sincerely accepted a Book of Mormon and an appointment. We later found out she didn't live in our area, so we referred her to the Brewton sisters who have since taught her and her family (four children) a lesson, and they are very receptive!! And we would never have met her if not for Mildred being in the hospital and us locking the car keys in the apartment! 

On Wednesday we drove to find the house of a family who had been taught by missionaries in the past. As we were looking for the house number, a dog suddenly shot out from the bushes near an entrance of a trailer park and began chasing our car! A little frightened and

mostly afraid he would run into the tires and hurt himself, we sped up a little bit to lose him, and he finally turned around after a good while! We wondered if the family had lived in the trailer park, but not wanting to risk being attacked by the dog, we turned around and began heading home. But it didn't feel right. So we prayed and instantly thought of our own and other missionaries' experiences praying for help against dogs who were standing in the way of a person they felt they needed to talk to. So we again turned the car around to face the dog. We parked the car, prayed for protection, and walked outside, trusting that God would provide a way for us to do what He had prompted us to. We heard the dog bark, but it didn't come. A car was pulling out of the trailer park, and it was the father of the family we were looking for! Had we been one minute later, he would have been gone! He said, "don't mind the dog, she won't hurt you." We were able to get his phone number and plan to go back! 

Satan tries to motivate us with fear, which is inaction, while God motivates us with love to act. 1 John 4:18, " There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." Satan uses fear to try to keep us from doing God's will, from doing things that will build our faith in Jesus Christ and allow God to work through us. Don't let him have that power! Let's all yield our hearts to God and allow His love to motivate us to act with the kind of faith that produces miracles. I love you all!