Elder Hixon: Visible and Present Miracles!

Happy Week! A few weeks ago, we walked by a family who was outside their house, two older parents with a little baby girl. We decided to turn around and talk to them, to which we were greeted by a pretty nice mom and a pretty cold and mean dad (typical Chile...). We got in the door, shared the Light The World video, and before we could close with a prayer, the Dad kind of rudely kicked us out. :)

Elder Barfuss and I talked about the visit that night at the apartment (we live as 6 elders in an apartment....quite the change from the 2 of us to the house in Los Olmos...) and we both couldn`t help but agree that we needed to go back and visit that family again. In the short conversation we could make before the video, we learned that the Mom`s name is Romina, and she`s inactive as of 7 or so years. The Dad is Patricio, not a member, but his Dad is a Bishop in one of the ward`s in the El Bosque Stake, and his brother is the fiancè of the Primary President here in Los Robles (who`s name is Pamela). Patricio claims to already know everything about the Mormon´s, but sticks to his belief that God doesn`t exist. "There just isn`t proof". Well, we went back the following week, and we were rejected by Patricio at the door. Didn`t let us in. We walked away feeling pretty frustrated. A few days later, at a lunch appointment with Pamela, we asked for Patricio`s story. She told us that he`s a really good guy, but he doesn`t want anything to do with the church. She was actually really surprised he let us in the first time, she said that she doesn`t think he`s ever let Elders in the house before. She gave us one idea, saying that Patricio LOVES helping people. "If you need help," she said, "he`ll put on a bad-guy face and act irritated, but he will never go without helping you. Secretly, he likes it".

A miracle happened the next week. The weirdest miracle ever! There we are, walking down a street called Bernardino Parada, when we run into Romina. "Còmo esta??"

"Mal" she responded. She had gotten results from a doctor`s appointment....cancer. We talked for a few minutes, but I don`t know if there`s a lot of words that will do any good in a situation like that. We offered the little bit of comfort we could, feeling like we failed as she walked away, towards home. The next night, an appointment fell through, so we decided to buy some chocolates and treats to bring over to Romina. She came out and, with a smile, let us know that the Doctor`s had called, said that they had mistaken a mistake, and that she was actually perfectly fine. No cancer. (The Lord works in mysterious ways)

So, 2 days ago we decided to go back over, with USB cards and SD cards that have viruses on them, to see if he can fix them. (he`s a software engineer). "Alo!" we shouted outside the door, and out walks Patricio.

I kid you not, this guy was smiling. "Come in! It`s cold outside." He let`s us in, fixes our USB amd SD cards, and we have an hour visit with them. Night and day difference! Miracles!! We set an appointment for the next week, we`re going back (with Pamela) and have a family night planned.

That was a visible and present miracle this week, there are many others that maybe aren`t so visible, but I feel grateful as The Lord mercifully allows us to participate and see miracles as He works to change our lives, and the lives of those around us.

Love you,

Elder Hixon