HELLO family and friends!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I hope your year has started off well! I wanted to share a miracle that we experienced this last week. Bear with me here 
While roaming around a park two weeks ago during a rain storm, we happened to pass a man who was taking his dog out for a walk. The dog was a very jumpy husky puppy with adorable blue eyes. We had to stop and say hello!
Within the first few sentences, we asked for the man's name. He told us, "My name is Joel, and I am a Christian."
We responded by letting him know we were also Christian. We excitedly asked which church he currently attends. He told us he was looking for a church. He expressed that he was having a particularly rough day that day and wanted to get a breath of fresh air. He told us it was no coincidence that we had met him at this exact moment. He motioned at the rain that was falling down around us and told us he was grateful to God for sending us his way, even in the rain.
We offered him a Book of Mormon, and his response was, "are you sure you can part with this?"
We jotted down his number and let the man continue on his way.
Later that next week, we receive a text back from Joel after having messaged him several times with no response. He expressed to us that he has watched a documentary about our religion, and he has begun to read the Book of Mormon. He was grateful that God had Led him to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!! We were so exited to hear this from a mere stranger we had met in the park!!
We set up again with him, hoping to begin teaching him more about our religion. We set up a time for Friday at 5. We planned on meeting with him at the park.
When Friday came, We texted Joel to confirm, and the text he sent back broke our hearts!
He told us that he didn't want to study with us, but that he appreciated all the efforts we put into helping others come closer to Christ. He explained that he wanted to attend Joel Osteen's church instead and he apologized.
We were heart broken!!
That Friday, all our lessons canceled, and with nothing to do, we decided to head to the park anyways hoping to find another person we could share a message with. After walking up and down the park, eventually we sat at a picnic table and began calling people in our area book.
Soon, Sister Barlow perked up. "Is that Joel?" She said motioning with her head. I looked to see a husky dog that looked as if he was taking his owner for a walk. Pulling and jumping, I knew it was Joel's puppy!!
Joel approached us and we began talking. We ended up sharing a message with him, and clarifying some of his questions. He was anxious to meet with us again, and we set up a time for this next Sunday.
He continued his walk, and we felt overcome with joy!
While still sitting at the park's picnic table, we began a video call lesson with one of our members. Not 10 minutes later, Joel came walking back to our table and asked to join our lesson. We sat around the table and we shared our simple message about coming unto Jesus with Joel and the member!
I know that Heavenly Father's hand was in that experience. Joel is am amazing individual, and I cannot wait to continue working with him!!
Pray for Joel!
Love you all!! I hope you have had a great start to the new year!
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