member conversion stories

No doubt you (like I) find pioneer stories fascinating, the courage and conviction of modern day pioneers is slightly different than our "pioneer ancestories"

Sister B
    She was married with 3 small girls, she and her husband was on a trolley when the missionaries approached them.   The “drunk” husband invited them to their home to hear the gospel message.  In anticipation she was worried about 2 young strangers in her home, she found the largest kitchen knife and tucked it under the couch cushion as a precaution to guard her children.  They gave the message, she felt the spirit and forgot about the knife.   Her husband didn’t want her involved with the church, beat her and forbid involvement.  She divorced him and has been an active member since 1997. 

Brother I
    Was approached on the street the missionaries asked him if he loved his family.  "Of course" as his reply.   They told him they had a message about families and he invited them to his home.   He resisted for a while, but knew it was true.  His wife resisted even longer but they both came to the conclusion the gospel was true.   He has served as branch president now for years, his family increased from a normal size (2) to a LARGE family (4) because of the gospel teaching.   Their oldest child is serving a full time mission in the states. 

Sister D
    Is not yet a member, but she talks about how she felt something powerful when she attended a baptism in the branch.   I am fasting for her this Sunday, I want so much for her life to be improved and blessed by the adherence to the gospel principles.  

Family
     During the dark period that covered this land a few years past, this family were land owners and deemed to be Burgouise and we put on a train to be shipped to Siberia.  Somewhere a guard said in essence "this is not right" and allowed them to "lose themselves in Mariupol" instead of the proposed relocation.   The small child that was a part of that "relocation failure" is now a mature adult and a strong member of our branch.

Do I miss you all back home...   Yes without hesitation and sometimes with a few tears. 
But isn't it obvious...   it's a wonderful experience and reminder of why our time here is valuable.