The Story of The Answered Prayer

What am I gonna do? How will I make all this work out? I cant afford to pay for this right now." Jim asks himself. Immediately he turns to the one who can help, " Father in Heaven I am thankful for giving me this dilemma to help me learn something, please help me find the best way to have this work out. I love thee and need thy guidance. In the name of Jesus Christ amen." One simple action of asking for help built Jim's faith for life!

The background on Jim's situation is he had his car in the shop to be worked on. He was low on his income and has always tried his best to be thrifty with his money. The total was more than his monthly income could handle. Jim also needed to buy a tool for work that would enhance his effectiveness and felt that it was something that would help him greatly in the future. That tool was about 60% of his monthly income, he had been saving for months now to get this tool. He now has enough but cant afford to pay for both and it is causing him stress. Jim Decided to go to lunch to lessen his stress. As Jim ordered his food the man across the counter (his name will be Bob) smiled at him and said keep up the good hard work.  This was the first answer to Jim's prayer. However not realizing that was a simple answer that God is aware of his situation, he smiled and said thank you. Jim and his co-worker sat down and started to eat when Jim's co-worker realized that Bob was walking over to them. Then Bob said "I noticed the company name on your shirt I want you to know that he is a good man and will help you if you ask him. Here have $50 you looked a little worried, and I feel that it is based from finances." Jim, then knowing that God heard his prayer was speechless. All Jim could say was "Thank You!" They talked a little and then Bob went back to work and Jim Prayed right there thanking God for answering his prayers and asking him to bless Bob with  his desires and his needs. You see $50 was just enough to pay for the car and still use his money he had saved for this tool.
The names, some conversation and Items in this story were replaced, but this is based on a true story. In Jim's case it was almost immediately. However it is not always so, God Hears our heartfelt prayers and he will answer them. He is aware of our many different situations and problems and will always give you a gentle reminder that he has heard your prayer, whether by a feeling of peace by a kind word that some one shares, or what ever it is he does give it to us, he will always give us enough for our needs. God Does Answer Prayers!

Gateway to Heaven

       This week has been so great! We have been able to see Gods hand in everything we do. We have been able to help people progress towards wanting to be baptized. The first, is the man that my very first blog was about. He is getting baptized this week. He has gotten more and more excited about it and as we planned his baptism he had it all set up and ready to go. He is growing in the knowledge that our Savior loves him and wants him to improve, and keep growing his relationship with him. He is excited to follow his Lord and Redeemer into the waters of baptism, so he can enjoy the full blessings that God will give him.
       We have also been able to help others grow in their knowledge and how they feel about God. One friend asked us how to focus on the things that matter most, and not get distracted by the little things that the world tells us matters but doesn't really matter. We talked for a while and told them a few things that have helped us, however as we continued to talk and read scriptures we came to the conclusion that it is through reading the scriptures daily, praying daily that we are able to decide what matters most.

       We then read scriptures to reaffirm what we talked about. We read one about prayer and that we should pray in "our fields" and "in our houses" and "in our closets and our secret places." We learned we should pray in our heart everywhere, and in everything we do. We read a scripture about the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, it said "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." As this verse in Isaiah says he was wounded for us a bruised for us. He knows our pains and our short comings and because of this we are healed. This person then, as we closed, had a great experience that backed everything we taught. This person gave the closing prayer, as they did the spirit filled us all and they prayed for the things that were important to them and close to their heart. After the close of the prayer we sat in silence and the spirit testified to all of us that the Lord truly knew this friends heart and trouble and as they continued to read the scriptures and say prayers everyday that the Lord would help our friend with the challenges of life and help them progress toward the promise people make at baptism.
       I know that the Lord knows "his sheep"(which is us). He wants us all to come and build a relationship with him by being baptized by someone holding the proper priesthood authority. The blessings of baptism are endless! I love our Savior, Jesus Christ and know he is guiding his people!