Power of Prayer

Well is has been a short, but eventful, four days since I last sat down at a computer. May I just begin by expressing my sincerest gratitude to all of you who are praying in my behalf. I can feel the power that is coming from my Heavenly Father each day and I know that it is not only from my personal prayers, but from the many prayers of my friends and family as well. Thank you.

Thursday was Zone Meeting and my Zone Leader, Elder Kahi, asked me to give a short 2-4 minute experience about someone's conversion through prayer that I have a close relationship with. As I pondered this and prepared to share I thought of my dear sister. I can still remember doing my homework late one night freshman year when I got a call from Addie. I was quite surprised she was calling so late at night and so I quickly answered it. She shared with me a personal experience about how Heavenly Father gave her comfort and answered one of her prayers. I shared this with my Zone and man was the Spirit present. It it me like a brick wall and I felt like I could hardly move as I also felt Heavenly Father's love encircle me. It was a great experince that provided me with spiritual strength, which I desperately need each day seeing as my physical strength is slowly diminishing.

Spiritual strength is the only way I am able to do missionary work these days. When I got my MRI results, Sister Henderson took a picture and gave them to the Area Doctor, who also happens to specialize in backs. Thursday night she called me to tell Sister Ng and congratulations on our baptisms the past month which contributed to the June 106. I think that was just to soften me up because then she got to the nitty-gritty and told me what the doctor said. According to the MRI results I will more than likely need surgery. There are rare occasions where with lots of rest the back will heal itself over time, but usually surgery is required to fix this kind of problem. Sister Henderson told me not to fret too much until the 17th when I see the specialist, but she told me she wants to come with me. So, right now I wait, for everything will be unfolded on the 17th of July. That night I knelt in prayer and asked Heavenly Father for a peace of mind.

Friday morning I woke up in the most debilitating pain I have ever experience in my life. The pain was so intense that I had to throw up a couple of times. I tell you all this, not so that you can feel sorry for me--I beg of you please don't feel sorry for me--rather I share this with you all as a testimony that Heavenly Father answers prayers. As I laid curled up in a ball on my bed in pain I called out to my Father in Heaven, "Heavenly Father I can't take this on my own! I need your help to endure this. Please help me." The pain did not leave, but I felt like someone was hugging me tight letting me know that I was not alone in this pain. My mind was brought to the Atonement on my Savior and the suffering He experienced in the Garden of Gethsemane. How the angel came to his side and placed his hand on our Savior's back to comfort him in his suffering. I have no idea the kind of pain that Christ endured, no mortal can fathom his pain and suffering, but this much I know, that because what happened in the Garden of Gethsemane I was able to feel the the Savior's presence in my affliction. As it says in Luke 22:43 "And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him." I received strength to endure and wise counsel from Sister Henderson to stay in for the day.
Saturday I was able to see the Lord bless Sister Ng and I even more. We had much success and many miracles on Saturday with the ability to reach our goal for member present lessons and the ability to find a new investigator just before we had to leave the city. It was 5:50 and we had ten more minutes until we weren't allowed to be in the city anymore. There was one person at the bus stop in the city and he happened to also be a Chinese man. Sister Ng went over to talk to him and I stood to the side. As I looked at the time, I realized that this man was our last hope for accomplishing our goal of having a new investigator. So I bowed my head in prayer and asked Heavenly Father to soften his heart so that Sister Ng would be able to let him feel of the Holy Ghost and then he would have a desire to learn more. I lifted up my head and watched the miracle unfold before my eyes. Sister Ng tried to get his number and at first he just shook his head. Then I saw her teach him about the power of prayer and his countenance changed. I saw her open her planner and point to a day and time and saw him nod his head and then offer his phone number. My prayer was answered! My prayer gave my companion strength to use the Holy Spirit to pierce that man's heart so tenderly that he gained a desire to learn more. The power of prayer is real.
I will close with last night's answer to my prayer "Heavenly Father, am I doing all I can in my physically weakened condition?"
After church yesterday was the YSA fast breaker. Babs, a member from SunnyBank who moved to the farms, showed up with Rachel, another beloved member from SunnyBank. I was thrilled to see them and we just began to talk and talk, in Chinese of course. I was so excited to see them and to hear of how their testimonies have grown in the past couple of months, especially Babs because working on the farms can be so strenuous. As I talked to them I felt my ability to love them grow as I am now able to communicate with them fully, both speaking in Chinese and understanding what they say back to me in response. I was so engrossed by our conversation that I didn't notice one of the members standing nearby watching us until some time later. When I said, "Hello" he came over and told me his girlfriend, one of the Relief Society teachers and a girl I had only spoken to once before about her mission in Salt Lake and why I decided to come on a mission, felt prompted to tell me I was a good missionary. She is in New Zealand right now and wanted to tell me herself, but felt prompted that I needed to hear it sooner rather than later. Once again the Lord answered my humble prayer, this time through another person following the promptings of the Holy Ghost.
I invite you revere the ability we have to communicate with our Father above. It has been a huge blessing in my life and I really don't know what I would do without it. It is such a blessing my my life. The time I spend on my knees has become so precious to me. The prayers that have and continue to be said in my behalf are my source of power. I love you all. Thank you so very much!