Wonders from the Land Down Under: 12 February 2018 Letter

Don't have much time but just wanted to share a quick experience.

This week has had lots of miracles. Throughout the week, I was feeling like I didn't know how to explain the gospel to people in a way that would help them understand that it is applicable to them and something that will really help them! Sister Monilla reminded me that I am saying the right things, but everybody has their agency, and sometimes people don't use it the best way they can. But we had a cool experience on Saturday during park and embark. We had 4 people ask us the same question: why do bad things happen to innocent people? The first two times ,we explained it but the people would not accept our answer. At the end of the night, however, we met an atheist who asked the same question. We explained, after refining and simplifying our explanation throughout the day, that if God intervened in every bad, or unfair thing that happened, not only would he be denying people of their ability to choose, but he would be denying everyone of the opportunity of growth that could come from that difficult trial in their life. We also explained that the purpose of our lives is to have joy, and that the extent of pain and sorrow we experience in life, we are then able to experience that much joy because of it. It was cool because it was like Heavenly Father had been preparing us to meet that man (Dave) all day by helping us think about that question. Dave's heart was softened and we were able to share most of the restoration with him. By the end, he miraculously accepted a Book of Mormon!

I just really loved that tender mercy Heavenly Father gave to us after a day when not so many people were prepared to receive us.

pics: 1- a couple pdays ago