Today I would like to share with you some things that have happened in my
life in the last few weeks. First, let's talk about prayer, and answers to
prayer. Mom, you often comment that you hope I am having spiritual
experiences while I am here in the offices, even though the majority of what
I do is mundane. (Fun Fact: the word for mundane in Spanish is mundano. This
same word also means worldly. Coincidence? I think not.) The answer to your
question is yes. Allow me to share a few with you. The first happened just
this last weekend. As part of my duties here, I am in charge of entering in
all baptismal records from the mission. I use a system called CDE (Convert
Data Entry) to send the information to the Area Office, where they make it
official in the church records. As I enter them in, I keep of track of how
many I do, to make sure it is the same as the number of baptisms we have
recorded for the month. This month, due to a hectic schedule, I had to enter
the majority of the records in a very short period of time. I had done 7
earlier in the month, and had 95 to do, all on Friday, which was the
deadline so that they would count for the month of September. We have had a
goal of hitting 100 baptisms per month as a mission for quite a while, and
this was the first month we actually met the goal. President Stapley wanted
to be sure that they all got counted (we have had problems in the past)
because he had already told the Area Presidency that we had had 102, and has
a meeting with them in a few weeks. He did not want to have to show up and
say "Oops! We only had 98!" So I was under pressure to make sure that there
were no problems, and all were counted. So after a day of feverish entering,
I emailed my contact in the Area Offices asking him how many baptisms showed
up in his system as being entered for our mission. I got his reply, and my
heart sank. We only had 98! I knew that even though these people had been
baptized and would be counted eventually regardless, this was very important
to my Mission President. I emailed him back saying I was confused, because I
was sure I had entered in 102 in total. After sending the email, I went
downstairs into an empty room, knelt, and said a prayer. I was very worried,
knowing that this meant so much to President Stapley. I asked that
everything would work out, and that somehow the numbers would show up that
we had entered in those records. As I finished the prayer, I felt peace. I
knelt thinking about anything I could have missed, or any other solutions,
but all I could think of is that it would be all right, and I just needed to
wait and see. As it turns out, I didn't have long to wait. As I headed
upstairs, I found my new companion, Elder Fitzpatrick in the hall (more
about him later). He just looked at me and said, "We have 102." I knew that
my prayer had been answered. Even with such a small thing, I know that
Heavenly Father cares about each little problem we have, and wants to help
us. In retrospect, I should have gone and offered a prayer of thanks right
then and there, but instead I waited until my nightly prayer, and expressed
my gratitude to my Heavenly Father, telling him how much I appreciated his
blessings in my life.
The second experience took place over a period of about a week. The week
before General Conference, I listed to an audio recording from Dad. He was
telling me about how he had been investigating what I need to do to get
ready for school when I get home. At one point he mentioned what the overall
tuition would be, noting that it was quite high. He asked if I knew it was
that high (I did) and mused a little on how we would deal with that. I got
the impression from his tone of voice that he wanted to make sure that I
really wanted to choose this school, but that if I did, he would support me
in it. (I don't know if he was actually thinking all that, but it's how I
felt.) That got me to thinking, was I certain that I wanted to go to this
school? Was I willing to sacrifice to stick with my choice. I decided 3 or 4
years ago it seems, that I wanted to go there. I felt right from the moment
I made the decision, and moreover, I haven't wavered in that decision since
making it. But, I realized I was lacking something. For all my certainty, I
had never prayed and counseled with my Heavenly Father (Alma 37:37). So
before, answering back to Dad, I wanted to make sure this was the right
thing. I remembered that General Conference was coming up, and that it
suggested that we go into General Conference weekend with something specific
in mind to find an answer. This, I decided, would be my General Conference
question. I had already made the decision, so all I asked of Heavenly Father
was a confirmation that my decision was correct, or at least acceptable to
Him. I pondered and prayed during the week about this subject, focusing my
studies and thoughts on receiving this confirmation. Now, I didn't want to
be thought a sign-seeker, so I made it clear to Heavenly Father that I would
understand if I didn't receive or recognize His answer during Conference. (I
believe that Heavenly Father likes us to be up front with Him!) When
Conference arrived I listened intently to every talk, waiting and praying
for my confirmation. On Saturday I was uplifted and filled with the Spirit,
but received no recognizable confirmation. During Priesthood session I was
hopeful, since last time they talked a lot about post-mission life. (I
watched it online on Sunday morning, by the way.) During the Sunday morning
session, I was again uplifted, and learned some wonderful principles. I
especially enjoyed President Monson's talk, and his story about the $5 bill.
(I was reminded of that again when I had my previous experience.) At the end
of his talk, he told the story about the Frankfurt Germany temple
dedication, and his experience in being prompted to announce Brother Peter
Mourik as the first speaker. I was instantly and completely zoned in on his
talk. I was strange, like I needed to pay more attention to this than just
the fact that it was about my patriarch. As he told the story, it made me
think briefly on my Patriarchal Blessing. It mentions my schooling, but
nothing too specific. It hints at the type of school I would attend, but
nothing more. It didn't seem enough to confirm my choice. As President
Monson finished that story, he concluded with the following: "Following the
session, Brother Mourik and I discussed that which had taken place prior to
his opportunity to speak. I have pondered the inspiration which came that
day not only to me but also to Peter Mourik. That remarkable experience has
provided an undeniable witness to me of the importance of being worthy to
receive such inspiration and then trusting it-and following it-when it
comes. I know without question that the Lord intended for those who were
present at that session of the Frankfurt Temple dedication to hear the
powerful, touching testimony of His servant Brother Peter Mourik." I
remained thinking about what he had said until he closed his talk. I could
feel the Spirit, and knew there was something special about what I had just
heard. In that brief interval between when I closed my eyes, into my mind
came 3 distinct thoughts. Number one, I felt that Peter Mourik was a worthy
servant of God, entitled to, and receptive of revelation. Number two,
(having to do with the first), I received a confirmation that my patriarchal
blessing was indeed direct revelation from my Heavenly Father. And number 3
(seemingly connected by the thinnest of threads to the first two, but just
as clear in my mind) that my decision on where to go to school was
acceptable before the Lord. It was a very soft, very simple thought, but
just as clear as it was soft.
So, with that in mind, Dad, let's go full force in getting everything set up
for Collins College.
I was going to write more about a few other things, but I have to run so
this will have to suffice.
Expect more soon.
--
Elder Scoty Stobbe
