Miracles!!!

Miracles happen all around us everyday.  The sun rises, a friend smiles, a baby's born.  We are all surrounded by miracles, its just up to us to see them in that way!   Just yesterday I saw a miracle.  I was back in Vacaville, and knocked on a family's door who I knew from before.  She opened the door and let us in.

The miracle was simple, it was just her answering the door.  Which led to us talking for about an hour and now her and her daughters want to all be baptized!  Miracles do happen! This family is a miracle!

"Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain."

We just got to be looking for miracles, and have the faith that they will happen!

What is a Hero?

I have always been grateful to the heroes in my life.  I would like to first state the definition of a hero.  A hero is: a man/woman of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his/her brave deeds and noble qualities.  The heroes that have left the greatest impression on me are without a doubt women, God's precious daughters.  I am eternally grateful for the women I have met in my life that can have a smile on their face through the most difficult of times.  I think about the heroes I have met in my life that have taught me the power of trusting in the Savior.  I want to give a few examples that have been the most touching to me.

I remember when I was in high school my mother had a heart attack and she was placed in the hospital for a while.  There were many friends and family who had supported us through that time of constantly visiting the hospital and going to and from school and work.  I am filled with gratitude at the sacrifice and love that was shown to us by my mother's sister and niece.  They were with us every step of the way helping us to feel reassured and showing by their faith that everything was going to be okay and making it easier for life to go on.  I will always remember the seemingly countless words of strength and smiles that they shared for us.  Now everything is great for our family.  I know that it was because of the great strength and endless service that my aunt and cousin gave us in our time of need.

At the beginning of my mission in Vacaville there was a family who we grew close with.  They were a couple who were at home alone because their kids were grown up and moved out of the house.  I remember when my companion and I visited them, the husband had not come home yet and his wife told us about a major trial of illness that had come to him.  I will never forget the smile that she kept on her face as she was asking for us to give him a priesthood blessing and being completely optimistic despite the bad news that they received.  Everything turned out well for them and the memory of her smile through the rough time has helped me get through so much.

The last example is our mission mother.  Our mission president and his wife are incredible examples of believers of Jesus Christ and his gospel.  This past summer Sister Bunker, our mission president's wife, was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I remember seeing in her eyes the strength of Jesus Christ to sustain her through this trial.  I do not understand what it would be like to go through this while serving a mission and raising a family.  I do not understand how, but through it all she still smiles and it brings me incomprehensible humility and strength and I am so grateful for her example. 

I have a testimony that Jesus Christ lives and he is the Son of God.  I have witnessed my testimony grow through those experiences because of the women in my life.  Men and women are both so precious in the sight of God, but it is our heavenly father's precious daughters who have inspired me to get through my microscopic sorrows.  I want to thank all of the women of the world that give strength to others by being strong and showing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Written by Elder Hinton

Not Cheating....Just Calling Home

Vacaville recently had a few tragedies.  There was a young man hit by a car, and two others were shot and killed.  I never met any of them, but from what I have heard from those that did, they are all amazing people. 

As I walk around talking to everyone I see, almost everyone knew one of them, or has heard about these unexpected deaths.  It is amazing to see how a community joins together, after an event like this.  Why does it take an event like these to unite people?  To often in our lives, myself included, we find ourselves so wrapped up in ourselves that it takes a tragedy to snap us back to reality.  To open our eyes seeing life is bigger than just "us".  " ...blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble..."

A few years before I came out on my mission my cousin Kailey passed away.  The young men who passed reminded me a lot of her.  My cousin alike these guys, were young, full of life, all around awesome people!  As I reflected on this, I thought about how I coped with my cousin's death.  I remember, it seemed like life flipped upside down.  The idea of how unfair was this crossed my mine.  There was a point where I was mad at God.  In an act of helplessness, I blamed Him.  Why did He do this?  Why would He let bad things happen to my cousin?

I found comfort when I found a story of a man with similar questions.  His name is Amulek, he is a prophet from ancient America. He and Alma were focused to watch many innocent and helpless women and children be burned.  Amulek pleads out " How can we witness this awful scene? "  Or in modern terms, how could this happen?  Alma replies to his question, "The Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in glory....be it according to the will of the Lord..."

I know God does not like to see His children suffer.  I know God loves each one of us.  For one reason or another some of our lives are shorter then others, then God brings us home.  Life at times can seem so unfair.  Things will happen that can't be explained.  There is no clear answer for it.  But I we can trust in God.  I know He is mindful of us, and has a plan.  I know He calls us home when it is our time.  I find peace in knowing that when bad things happen to good people, God is not cheating them; He is calling them home with open arms!