As you probably guessed, my transfer news came and I will be heading to the Richmond zone to serve in a branch in downtown Richmond! I'm so excited to see what God has in store especially because of all the reactions people have given me when I told them I was being transferred there. Here are some things they said:
-"Why would you go there?"
-"I'm so glad that I don't live there anymore!"
-"Be safe out there."
-"Make sure to bring a sub machine gun."
So obviously, lots of positive feedback!!!!!! I'm excited to get a taste of Brazil again and to have a bunch of crazy adventures in Richmond!
CAUTION: If you read this next story, you will have just another testimony that God sends angels to help His Children:
I vividly remember this past week praying to God and strangely asking "Please help my companion and me to be angels to someone this week." And then I went on with my day. Didn't think too much more about that specific prayer.
Well long story short, we had done our daily planning and listened super intently for a few minutes after the prayer to see if what we had planned was God's will. We sat there thinking about our schedule and it felt right!
That night, we had scheduled to call random numbers and try to share the gospel with the people that answered. We have done this before and we usually call around 100 numbers and a handful answer and only a few actually let us share a scripture. Well, only a few calls in, this guy answered (who we later found out was named Norman). I asked if I could share Alma 34:32 with him. He consented and I shared my spiel about how this life is the time for man to prepare to meet God. I asked if we could share a message with him about how he could prepare to live happily with God. And to our surprise, he said "SURE!."
We got talking and it wasn't long after that he cut us off and asked "How did you get this number?" We explained that we dialed these numbers at random and called him. We then proceeded on with our message and he stopped us again and asked, "but who gave you my number? What directory are you looking in?" We again, told him that God inspired us to call his number! As we continued, he finally cut us off a third time and said, "I'm not sure how you got my number, but my best friend died today and I'm in need of comfort and peace right now."
How is God so good and mindful of us? My little mind was saying, "But I didn't even feel the strongest feeling to call this specific number at this specific time. Why wasn't it an overwhelming feeling?" And I am concluding that this situation is an even stronger testament to me that God works through us without us even knowing. When we obey the commandments and live the gospel standards and obey the prophet, a lot of times we will be following the Spirit without even knowing...just like the Lamanites after their conversion in 3 Nephi.
(Back to the story now). We then went on to teach him a 15 min version of the Plan of Salvation. This was the perfect story...the Preach My Gospel story example we read about. Norman said this during the lesson:
-"You are answering so many questions that I have had about God and Jesus Christ."
-"Now this is the question that I have been wanting to hear the answer to."
-"I am listening because I will later pray to know if the things you all are talking about are true."
^^these are just a few quotes that I could scribble down during this amazing lesson. Norman is a rock star and he even mentioned at the end how he thanks us and also his other friend who came in halfway during our lesson and sat in to listen. I'm going to miss Norman, but I'm grateful for the quick 30 minute life changing call I had with him this past week!
I have a firm testimony that although I am not perfect and don't follow the Spirit perfectly, God still allowed my companion and I to be the literal angels to Norman this week. I know that God loves us, and more often than not, answers our questions through angels that we walk with us here on earth!
Love you all!
Elder Gardanier
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