Power of the Priesthood

February 4, 2013

Dear Friends and Family,

This week we had maybe one of the hardest weeks of my mission, not because we were unsuccessful, but because of circumstances going on with some of our investigators. However, I have seen a manifestation of God's grace, power, and mercy that has no rival in my eyes. Through the power of the Priesthood, a life was saved and the mother of 2 little kids is recovering from what looked like the end of her time here on earth and because of the sacredness of this experience to me, I will give only the main details.

In my letter last week I wrote about Stephanie, who is the mother of 2 kids and the niece of one of the recent converts. Well her boyfriend is an abusive man who on Saturday night beat her, and then again when she got home the next night mercilessly beat her again. Tuesday night of this week we get called over and find out that she is seizing because he hit her in the back of the head so many times. I have never seen anyone having a seizer before and if any of you know what one looks like you understand how heart wrenching it is. There is nothing you can do till it stops. Anyway she starts seizing and they have me give her a blessing. In the blessing I felt prompted to tell her that her brain would be healed and that she would be able to recover and return to her kids soon. After the blessing within 5 mins she had a seizure that was worse and lasted longer. As I was sitting there on the verge of tears wondering why she was still being afflicted by the seizures, a peace and warmth came over me that I will never ever forget. I knew she was going to be ok. I knew she was going to pass through a lot in the next few days but I told her that she was going to be alright and that if she had faith, she would be healed by the Power of the Priesthood. 3 days passed with worse and worse seizures. Throughout those three days where the most tears and hardships I’ve been through in I can’t remember how long. But I kept going back to the feeling I felt as I was comforted by the Spirit. On Friday we got a text saying that the test results came back and that her brain has absolutely no damage done to it. And they coin her "Seizures" to be from trauma from all that happened. I admit that it might be due to that now, however I know that the Blessing given to her is what made the difference. Yesterday we fasted for her along with the whole family. I got a call last night that she hasn’t had a seizure since about right when we started fasting. I know that by faith and the Priesthood, along with the will of God that miracles do happen, maybe one has to go through a great trial of faith first, but miracles are real. It brings me back to the song from that bible movie "The Prince of Egypt" where they sing "There can be miracles, when you believe" I know the church is true, I know that we can be comforted by the Holy Ghost, I have no doubt in the Priesthood, and that Heavenly Father loves us. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen
   
The Uncle of Stephanie, Richie, received the Aaronic Priesthood today! It truly is a miracle in my life, and makes me so happy, Life is good.

Love,

Elder Stewart