Examples of how the Lord provides

It struck me as something that would clearly state the need for vision in coordination with Proverbs 29:18 - "Where there is no vision, the people perish." It has never made more sense that we each have a need for a vision. Because of that realization, we've taken the time to work with individuals and families in our ward to create their own family and personal visions so that they too can experience the blessings that have spawned from the faith-filled experiences we've been having.

This also reminded me of the talk given by Elder Gary Stevenson in the April 2009 General Conference - Sacred Homes, Sacred Temples. I'll just share an excerpt of the talk here:

"I remember a warm, sunny afternoon when spring was trying to nudge its way through a long winter in Cache Valley, Utah. My father, whose Saturdays were always filled with chores for his grandsons, stopped by our home with an offer to “go for a ride.” Always happy to ride in Grandpa’s truck, our four- and six-year-old sons scurried into the back jump seat, and I joined my father in the front. Our drive took us through the streets of downtown Logan, which wrap around the Logan Temple, prominently situated on a hill, centered beautifully in the city. As we moved further away from the city, we turned from paved, busy streets to seldom-used dirt roads, where we crossed old bridges and weaved through trees far into the country. We were far from any other traffic and all alone.

Realizing his grandsons were in a place they had not been before, my father stopped the truck. “Do

you think we are lost?” he asked the wide-eyed boys as they gazed out the windshield across the valley. Followed by a moment of silent assessment came the profound reply of a young child. “Look,” he said, pointing his finger. “Grandpa, you are never lost when you can see the temple.” Our eyes turned, focusing with his, seeing the sun glistening off the spires of the Logan Temple, far across the valley.

You are never lost when you can see the temple. The temple will provide direction for you and your family in a world filled with chaos. It is an eternal guidepost which will help you from getting lost in the “mist of darkness.”¹ "

Immediately following our district leader council, I took Elder Hales back to Dairy Creek while Elder Hatch remained in Tillamook with Elder Rock for an exchange. Elder Hales and I saw several awesome miracles during the day that we were together.

We were referred to a nonmember family, who has a foster daughter who was originally thought to be a recently converted member of the Church. Upon meeting the very kind and lovely nonmember mother, we discovered that the foster daughter was in fact unbaptized at this point. To our delight, the daughter expressed her knowledge that this Gospel is true and that she does indeed want to be baptized. What a lovely little miracle that was. She came to church yesterday with a member family and we hope to get to know the rest of the family so that they too, can experience the increased happiness and joy the gospel brings.

I know I can't share all the miracles that we witnessed this last week, but I will share but one more with you. Upon arriving back in Dairy Creek ward after zone conference on Wednesday, we went to dinner at a less-active family's home. One of the sons, had invited his nonmember girlfriend over to join us for the meal. We had a great conversation and were able to socialize in a friendly manner that allowed the girlfriend to become comfortable with us.

Following the meal, we asked if we could share a spiritual message before we left. We had not received any prior inspiration as to what we might share with the family, but given the circumstances, Elder Hatch was impressed to share 2 Nephi 32: 8-9:

"8 And now, my beloved brethren, I perceive that ye ponder still in your hearts; and it grieveth me that I must speak concerning this thing. For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray, ye would know that ye must pray; for the devil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray.
 
 9 But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul."

I was guided by the Holy Ghost to teach about prayer and its purpose. We asked Madison a few questions about her background and taught about the truth we are able to receive by asking God questions in prayer. We were enthused about the lesson resulting in the girlfriend agreeing to learn more by coming to the less-active family's home for lessons, but we weren't expecting what the mother informed us of afterwards through a conversation over text:

Earlier in the week she had been discussing with her son what prayer was and he seemed to be unsettled on the subject in general. But, we, not knowing beforehand what we should say, were inspired to teach about prayer, thus helping to bring peace to the son's mind on the subject. I was astonished and grateful that the Lord could use us as an instrument to bring about great things in the whole family that day (which happened to be my birthday - what a great gift).

Many might miracles are occurring. There is no doubt or fear that can stop us now.