Missionary Scouts

The Fairmont Ward Scout Troop is a driving force of missionary work. There are practically as many nonmembers as there are members who participate in the scouting program with the Fairmont Ward. The Assistant Scout Master is a 19 year old boy named K______. He has been devoted to a life of scouting since he was a wee little child. When his scout troop collapsed last year he joined the LDS scout troop. Because of his parent's concerns about the church K_____ never took interest in learning about the actual doctrines. He intended to remain Assistant Scout Master until the beginning of the summer when he planned to go to Oklahoma to join the National Guard. 

Then God stepped in.

Weeks before K_____ was to leave for Oklahoma he was in a severe car accident that literally broke his back. His injury was so severe that he was deemed permanently disqualified for the National Guard. His disappointment and frustration was great but his long recovery enabled him to remain active in troop 13.

As Summer began, talk of Youth Conference fringed the LDS scout troop's announcements and K_____'s interest was sparked. All of his friends were going to this weekend "Youth Conference" so he became set on going as well. After all, he had nothing to do other than sit around in his back brace. After persuading his parents to let him go to Youth Conference, K_____ signed up for specific workshops. He chose to attend "Mission Prep" with one of his scouting friends, "Eternal Families" with another troop friend, and "Power of the Priesthood" with another friend. 

Needless to say it was a powerful weekend.

Three days later when Zack stepped out of the carpool van at the conclusion of Youth Conference, he turned to the Scout Master and quickly exclaimed,"Brother ___________! I am going to get baptized, go on a mission, and get married in the temple!" 

And his conversion began.

We have been teaching K______ the lessons for three weeks now and he is progressing incredibly and preparing to be baptized in September. He has expressed that if he hadn't been in that car accident he would be in Oklahoma right now instead of preparing for baptism. K______ LOVES the gospel and he is excited about all that he is learning!

It is a thrill to witness the Lord's hands in the lives of those we are blessed to teach. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of change. It is a gospel of becoming and it is a gospel of eternity. The doctrine of Jesus Christ is our training for eternity that teaches how to obtain a fullness of joy. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of joy. I love the Lord and I love His work!!

love,

Sister Shumway 

Miracle at McDonald's

Last week Sister Whitaker and I did not have time for a lunch break so when 3:00 rolled around and we found ourselves with an unexpected additional 20 minutes, we decided to find something that would hold us over until dinner. The first idea that came to our minds (and grumbling stomachs) was a 49 cent ice cream cone at McDonald's! Yum. We re-thought that for a moment but our watering mouths prompted a powerful craving. So, 49 cent ice cream cone it was.

As we walked into McDonald's our eyes were drawn to a nearby table where the occupant's face had lit up at the sight of us. (This reaction to our presence in public is somewhat unusual.) The situation became further unusual when the young man sitting at the table called out us saying, "Hey! You're the Mormon Missionaries for this church down the road here, aren't you?!"

This young man took the missionary lessons about 9 months ago and was preparing to be baptized but suddenly he had to move away, losing contact with the church. We set up a time to meet him at the church building with some members of the Ward and sure enough, he arrived with his Book of Mormon in hand. During the lesson he expressed that as soon as he stopped coming to church 9 months ago his life once again fell into shambles. He expressed  that when he called to us at McDonald's he had been planning to take his life that afternoon. When he saw us he was reminded of the peace the gospel had brought into his life and he decided to start coming back to church to better his life instead of ending it. 

That day at McDonald's the ice cream machine was broken. 

The Lord works in marvelous ways.

I will forever be thankful for the heaven sent craving for a 49 cent ice cream cone. 

Miracles are real and this is the gospel of Jesus Christ! 

Sister Shumway