MIRACLES HAPPEN BROTHERS AND SISTERS FAMILIES AND FRIENDS!
Today, let me repeat, TODAY Sister Joyce Fleming was baptized. At noon Sister Joyce covenanted with her Heavenly Father through the saving ordinance of baptism.
Many, so so many came to support her in this momentous occasion. She bore her testimony, we bore our testimonies, and several others bore their testimonies of this miracle. I was asked to bear my last testimony in one of the sacrament meetings we attended yesterday. I spoke about the miracle of Joyce receiving an answer to her prayers and knowing that the Prophet Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I don't think the name Joyce is coincidental, I said. Now, every time I hear the word "rejoice" I will think of her. Not only does her faith bring me such great joy...which leads to rejoicing, it gives me a calming assurance that anything is possible. Joyce has been taught by the missionaries for 3 years. She is a young 83 and was happy as can be today.
As part of her testimony, she told a joke...I want to reiterate this joke for you so you can get a feel for some of her humor and grace :)
There was a widower who lived alone. He was tired of being without a companion so he decided to go to the pet store to find some. When he got to the pet store, he told the owner that he didn't want any old pet, no cats or dogs, no he wanted an exotic pet. So the owner told him he had just the pet. He comes out from the back of the store and brings along with him, a talking caterpillar. The widower was overjoyed with the selection of the owner and happily bought the new companion. The following Sunday the widower was getting dressed to go to church and goes and tells the caterpillar that he needed to do the same. After a few minuted the man calls to the caterpillar and asks if he's ready, the caterpillar says he isn't. The man tells him that he needs to hurry up or they will be late for church and then leaves the room to give him another minute or two. After a few more times of calling to the caterpillar, the man goes into the caterpillars room asks him if he is finally ready. The caterpillar then replies, "I heard you the first time, I was just finishing putting my shoes on."
Sister Joyce followed this by saying, "I was thinking the other day about this joke my friends told me and I got to thinking how it related to me. You have all been so helpful, especially you girls (meaning Sister Warren and I). I know you have had a lot of patience, and for that I am forever grateful, but I was just like the caterpillar, I was finishing putting my shoes on."
Joyce has been prepared from the beginning of time to receive this gospel. Heavenly Father has been placing angels in her path for years, shoe after shoe. I'm grateful to have been out in her path to help her tie up the rest of her shoe laces and walk out the door, or in this case through the gate of salvation. Miracles happen, not just every once in a while. There are people like Sister Joyce all around us who we are placing shoes on, or "planting seeds" with. I look forward to telling all the missionaries who taught Joyce over the years of the miracle of her baptism.
My mission has taught me more things than I can start to list, but all in all, I've had people, trials, and miracles "place shoes" on me that have changed me forever. In return, I hope to continue on the path of serving others like Christ. I know that the process of learning doesn't end here nor in the near future. I'm excited to continue learning and growing! Here's to a new journey, one that I feel armed and ready for :)
Love,
(for the last time) Sister Fredrick
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