Adventures from West Virginia: Obedience: The First Law of Heaven

Hey you all,

Selfie on the Signing Grounds

20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—
21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.
- Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21

Sister Wevers and I have had a marvelous week this week. Over the course of my mission I have learned a lot about obedience, but this week we have truly seen the Lords hand in our lives as we strive to be exactly obedient.

Went with LeAnn and Sam - saw where treaty was signed for Civil War

Went Out to Dinner with Sister Elder - her real name

At the beginning of the week, things were slow and we were wondering why we weren't having much success. On Thursday, during our planning session, we talked and decided that we needed to change something to be more obedient. It's not that we were being disobedient, it was just that we needed to be exactly obedient. Ever since we changed one little thing, our week changed completely! Heavenly Father SHOWERED us with blessings. We had 3 investigators at church yesterday!

We had an amazing lesson in the church building on Saturday with Kaela and her boyfriend, Dillon. They are some investigators we had actually dropped (stopped teaching) not to long ago. They were not keeping appointments or commitments, so we told them that we were going to stop seeing them, and if they wanted to meet again, they can give us a call. Well, this week Kaela texted us and asked us if we could have a lesson at the church! This is huge for her! Before, we felt like we were fighting tooth and nail to get a lesson with them, so of course, we said YES! We met them both at the church and we had our ward

mission leader with us. We taught the plan of salvation and it went wonderfully! Dillon had lots of questions about everything in the past and he was very frustrated because he could not understand it, but Sister Wevers and I really tried to focus on their needs as we taught, so we would be able to address their questions and concerns. Dillon and Kaela both accepted the truths of the Plan of Salvation and committed to read and pray about it. They also committed to come to church and they did! We talked with them about baptism and invited them to do so, and they were hesitant, but we are going to be inviting them to be baptized again this week and hopefully we will help them to feel good about a date!

Sister Wevers and I

It was amazing. They had a wonderful experience at church, and many ward members came up and met them. They said they felt comfortable and they really enjoyed the classes.

Another investigator, Barbra, actually surprised us by coming to church!! We have been teaching her for a while and she is gaining a testimony of this gospel as she studies and prays, but she can't come to church because she works every Sunday. This past week, when we met with her, she actually told us that she is trying to find a new job so that she will be able to come to church! Yesterday morning, she surprised us when she called us and told us that she had it off work and she was coming to church! (We freaked out!) It was amazing. She enjoyed Sacrament meeting a lot!

House Where the Document was Signed Ending the Civil War

We also had an incredible lesson with the Mullins family! Sister Wever's and I absolutely adore them! They are amazing, and now we are teaching Pam! (Cheryl's sister, who came to John's baptism) We taught the Plan of Salvation and they accepted it so well! Cheryl loves the fact that she and Paul can be married for all time and eternity. They kept saying, "that makes sense"! They have truly been prepared by messengers of God. I love the truths of the Plan of Salvation and that we can be with our families forever because of sacred covenants that we can make in the Temple. The peace that comes from the knowledge of Eternal Families is very close to my heart. Eternal Families is not doctrine that other churches teach. I know that this is Jesus Christ's restored church on the earth today and that families can indeed be forever.

The Room Where it was Signed

I am in Love with the Virginia Country

I know that because of obedience, we are blessed. It is the first law of Heaven and exact obedience truly brings miracles! The Lord is aware of us, and of our efforts to be diligent and obedient. When we do the things he asks of us, He blesses us! He will also provide a way for us to be able to be obedient (1 Nephi 3:7). He loves us, and He wants to bless us! All we need to do is be obedient to His laws. I know that as we live the higher law, as taught by Jesus Christ, we will be blessed more than we can ever imagine.

I know this gospel is true and that the work we do is His work. I am so grateful to be serving here in this part of the Lord's vineyard. Great things are happening here and I truly love the people I meet, and I love having this privilege of doing what I get do :)

Love you all so much!

xoxoxo

~Sister Kayla Marie Willis

410 Alta Lane #11
Lynchburg, VA 24502