Me again :)
I need everyone to stop what they're doing, fasten your seat belts, get some tissues and make sure you are safely sitting on the ground because I have the most amazing news in the world.... Sister Braga is getting baptized tonight ❤ As many of you know, I have been working with her my entire mission. She was my very first lesson, the reason for “leaving it all on the field” and the person behind my testimony of missionary work. This moment has been a long time coming... She has been in contact with the church for 15 years and gone through many many missionaries; all of whom gave up and lost faith in her. When I came and met her my first day, she told me "there's something different about you and the way I feel right now". Since that day she has known she wants and needs to be baptized, but something was holding her back. Last month she and her husband drove sister Sosa and I to "Why I Believe," which was a spiritual experience in and of itself. On the way home, we got talking about baptism. I looked at her and said, "I'm not going to give up on you. I never will." She turned to me with tears in her eyes and said, "I've been waiting for someone to say that." Fast forward to Saturday night: Sister Braga invited us over to eat dinner with her! It was just us 4 girls, which was nice. For some reason, a lot of the most spiritual experiences Sister Sosa and I had with her were while we were sitting around the dining table; so it continues! While we were eating, the topic of baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost came up. The spirit made its manifestation and sat with us while we talked; Very powerful. She said she wants to really start reading the Book of Mormon because she knows it will provide an answer for that little missing piece. I grabbed my scriptures and placed them in front of her. Very softly I asked, "Do you truly believe God will give you an answer as you open this." She got emotional and said, "I truly do." I looked at her and said, "I do too." In that moment I felt the spirit speak directly through me; the true form of being an instrument in God’s hands and said, "Angi. IF you have faith, like I do in this moment, and open this book, the first verse you read will be your answer." She gently picked up my scriptures. The first page she turned to was Alma 5:14. She asked me to read it, which went as followed, "And now behold, I ask of you (Angeli), have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received His image in your countenance? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your heart?" There was complete silence for about two minutes as the Holy Ghost powerfully, yet sweetly, testified straight to her heart. She broke the silence by telling us that she had a date in mind and was going to pray about. The next day we were sitting in Sunday school when she put her hands to her chest and began to cry. The spirit had hit her like a ton of bricks. She looked at me and said, "what is your schedule like tomorrow?" I told her it was wide open and began to cry. The next words that were whispered struck my heart so deeply it could burst: "Tomorrow is the day. It's time." This is what missions are all about. Seeing the gospel literally change the life of Heavenly Father's children. Watching the spirit testify so powerfully it's unwavering. Seeing the truest form of love fill their heart as they turn to Christ. I am so very grateful to merely be an instrument to witness these miracles. God is real, but His love even greater. The scriptures are true; every word. I KNOW with an unwavering and unshakeable truth that God knows and loves us. He answers our prayers. He speaks to us through the power of the scriptures. If you don't have that knowledge it's because of two simple reasons: 1- you haven't tried or 2- you haven't listened. Listen for Him. He is there. This gospel changes lives. My heart is so full ❤ With all the love of my heart, Sister Montgomery
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Hey folks!
Things in here in DC are still great (per usual) even though I'm starting to freeze my bahookies off whenever we step outside! Currently, we have 3 baptism dates set for December with a few more praying for a date. So, make sure to put some extra time into your daily prayers for our investigators; you'd be amazed the spirit they feel from prayers back home! I just want to share a quick little thought that has really impacted me throughout my mission: Ether 12:12 "For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, He showed not Himself until after their faith." The first time I read this, the first thing that came to mind was Tinkerbell. What gives Tinkerbell her magic is others belief. The moment someone says, "I don't believe in fairies," she loses her magic and her strength. MAGIC, and she can't do anything with it without faith. Even God, our Heavenly Father, the creator of the heavens and the earth and every single thing, having ALL power and ALL wisdom..... He can't do one thing until we believe in Him; until we show our faith. A man with godly power can't even perform a miracle, or lift us, if we do not believe. Kind of makes you evaluate more deeply right? Are we allowing Him to perform miracles in our life? Do we truly believe He is there? Are we strengthening and acting on our faith? Or are we "taking away His magic?” Look for Him in your life. Find Him in the people you meet, the feelings you receive, the beauty of the earth and the breaths you take. He is waiting to bless us, to perform miracles and bring us joy.... all it takes is faith, trust and a little bit of pixie dust! Sending lots of hugs and kisses home this holiday season! I am so thankful and truly grateful for each and every one of you. Your support, thoughts, prayers and love have influenced and help me more than you know. LOVE AND MISS YOU ALL! Sister Montgomery ❤️ First things first…
THANK YOU all for the birthday wishes, letters and emails! I am so overwhelmed by how much love you all have shown. I seriously am grateful beyond words. How did I get so blessed? It is by far the happiest I’ve ever woken up on a birthday knowing that I get to celebrate by wearing His name over my heart and by being one of His representatives. But, hearing all of your kind words and sweet wishes was truly inspiring; the cherry on top of it all! Being that wearing a name tag to celebrate the big 2-0 was the BEST gift I could have received, I reflected a lot on how that gift was even made possible through my sweet Savior. This week I read Jacob 5- the famous olive tree allegory. As I read, I realized how often I related myself (life, choices, thoughts, actions, hopes) to the olive trees. Some good throughout with the help of my Gardener. Others, hopeful for a bit, but later allowing doubt or inadequacy to fill my heart. Some all around struggling to bear one, good, happy moment. With every one of these trees, no matter how good or bad, the Gardener, or, our Savior, continually and constantly attended to each and every one; without fail. Not one tree was left without Him doing everything He could to let them grow. Verse 47 says, “But what could I have done more in my vineyard? Have I slackened my hand, that I have not nourished it? Nay, I have nourished it, and I have digged about it, and I have pruned it, and I have dunged it; and I have stretched forth mine hand almost all day long…” Whether it be MY own doubt, My wrong doing, My unbelief, or lack of letting Him in, HE is the one who takes the blame. His heart aches as He watches us struggle. He asks, “what could I have done more?” The Savior of the world, God’s ONLY begotten son, a perfect being poses the question “what could I have done more?” He loves us so deeply that spending every moment nourishing, guiding, lifting, digging and sacrificing will never be enough until He gets to hold us again one day; Perfect and fully ‘grown.’ This birthday, I am most grateful for the gift of my Savior’s love. Something that isn’t wrapped or given only once a year on the 14th of November. His love is unconditional and selfless. My tree has required lots of digging, pruning and nourishing, which I’m sure has not been easy. But, not matter how tired He may get digging, or how sore His hands may become from pruning, I know He is there, with a smile on His face. I know He lives! I know He is the Gardener of life and joy. I know He is with me every day as I do my best to be His apprentice in the vineyard. What could be greater than that? Love, Sister Montgomery ❤ Hello friends and fam! Long time no see! (Four months last Sunday to be exact!)
Sorry this email will be super short, our P-Day has been pretty hectic because... We had our TEMPLE DAY TODAY! Ah! I love going to the temple so much. The peace and comfort it brings is something you never get used to no matter how many times you go. And every time the actual beauty inside the temple amazes me. Tasha is doing AMAZING. There is no other word to describe her other than 'Elect'. She truly was prepared. Who knew that investigators could teach the missionaries...? Every time we see her, her testimony and desire to learn of and come closer to the Savior is astonishing. I have to take a step back and look at how someone has completely changed her life just because of the peaceful feeling she felt as the Spirit first touched her heart. I often take the gospel and the Spirit for granted. Knowing Tasha has changed MY life and MY testimony has grown because of her. Heck, she even got up and bore her testimony on Sunday after only knowing of the restored gospel for 2 weeks! It was powerful. Her son, Nicholas, is also getting baptized on the 19th with her; What a choice family. We saw so many miracles this week I can't even count them all- So many new investigators and a few of them are praying for baptismal dates. My mission has been the best thing in my life. Love you all! Next time you hear from me I will be one year older and hopefully a little wiser too... ;) Love always always always, Sister Montgomery ❤ |