On God's Radar

 Hello hello! 

This week was a great first week here in Vista California! Hermana Hunter and I were able to see lots of blessings, get to know some of the people we're teaching and meet some members! So far, we've been incredibly impressed with how nice all the members are and how much work there is to be done... we're so excited! 

Vista CA

My new companion- Hermana Hunter

This week we had an amazing little series of events I wanted to tell you all about! This is the story of our new friend Andres.  While out and about trying to knock on some doors of people who had been taught by missionaries in the past, we were in this apartment complex and we see a Latina woman and a man walking to their apartment! The Lord prompted us to go talk with them, so we literally start sprint walking to catch up to them and talk haha! We turn them around and asked a random question about the apartments to start up the conversation:) The lady, who ended up being the manager of the apartments, started talking with us about renting an appt (haha) and the man next to her actually ended up being about our age... his name was Andres! After like 5 min of us talking to them, the woman was ready to walk away when Andres was like, "you talk about God with people right? I'd like to talk sometime...I think I need more of that in my life!"... we were like...yeah ok! He got his phone out to give US his number and we set up an appt for a few days later!! We went back a few days later, bringing a member from the YSA ward with us, and Andres is seriously awesome! He told us about how he felt like he needed to start changing his life to be more responsible, to include God more, and how he has so many questions that he just wants answers to! We told him we could help him find answers! 

Then last night we had another absolutely incredible lesson with Andres but one thing was super special in particular. Andres' grandpa, who he was really close to, passed away a few years ago. During that time, Andres wondered if there was a God and no matter who he asked, he felt like the answers he was getting about where his grandpa went (and is currently) were not hopeful. As he told us this story, it was so amazing for us to know that what we were about to tell him was something that was going to bring him so much hope. He finished sharing his feelings and then we told him, Andres, you WILL see your grandpa again. You will see him again because God truly IS our loving Heavenly Father and wants families to be together forever. His eyes lit up and a visible excitement came to him. It was so sweet--he jumped up and down a little bit and was like "really!?" He told us it was like a question he had wondered about for so long was answered in that instant and his mind was suddenly opened. I cannot tell you how many amazing little moments of discovering truth we had with him last night, but it was incredible to see how he became progressively happier and happier the longer we talked. 

As I've pondered more about this experience, I truly do know that Andres' grandpa was probably the one cheering us on to run over and go talk with his grandson and that woman... he's been waiting for this to happen! To bring his loved one the truth! Wow!! Since Andres is YSA age the Elders will have the privilege of continuing to teach Andres, but this lesson just built my testimony even further of God's plan for us!  As we were walking away from the lesson last night, Hermana Hunter said something that I thought was so cool... "that man has been on God's radar for so many years now..." and now we found him! Andres told us that even though it was only 4 days ago when he met us for the first time, he just feels happier and lighter already. At the end of the lesson he literally could not stop smiling... the gospel truths really do set us free.

I know the gospel of Jesus Christ truly does bless individuals and families. I get the coolest job ever sharing that light and seeing it change people's lives every day!  If any of you ever want to hear a little message from me and my companion about how YOU can be happier and find answers to the questions that have been in your heart, we do Zoom meetings with anyone who wants to talk! Seriously, if anyone ever wants to, there is literally nothing to lose and everything to gain! Just email me at aubrey.leonard@missionary.org

Love you all! 

Hermana Leonard 

Ps. During zone conference, I felt Heavenly Father whisper to me that there is a family waiting for us to find them. If you could all start praying for us to be led to them I know it will happen!!! The Lord knows His children!