Finding Phoebe

Hey yous!

God is so great. Can I just say that? Having to recover all of last week was so worth some AMAZING experiences I got to be a part of this week. So lets just name a few....

Sis Carter. I just adore her. A sweet older lady that doesn't come to church because of her back, but through later visits, we discovered her true concern. She is just genuinely afraid of people and has kept pushing back getting a new temple recommend because of her fear of having a calling in the Branch. On our visit this week, we were really trying to think what was the best thing to share with her. And shortly after I said a silent prayer that my companion would know where to take the lesson, she asked her how her reading in Ezekiel has been, in hope that then I would actually start taking the lesson where it needed to go (as I have been reading and as of my studies this morning, now FINISHED the Old Testament... greatest thing ever!). Yet, when Sis. Carter said she skipped ahead to Daniel, Sis. Krzymowski was then able to share one of her favorite stories from Daniel that naturally led us to sharing the Bible Dictionary entry on prayer and trusting in the Lord. It wasn't any huge miracle per say, but it was just a wonderful simple lesson guided by the spirit. Then a couple of days later we found out that she had asked the Branch President to interview her for a new recommend this weekend, but ending up having a heart attack early Thursday morning. She is in the hospital, and is stable and doing pretty well. We are just grateful that we could help to strengthen her right before this next big trial in her life. 

Now for this big, massive, multi-part miracle.  We went to the local nursing home to visit a sweet, less-active sister in her 80s, Joan Waite, who was recently admitted into the high care unit because of her bowel cancer. She was not responsive at all, sleeping with her eyes wide open and taking big gasps of air. High on morphine to help with the pain. Two of her neighbors Gary and Glenda, were also there, and through talking with them, found out that Gary had met with missionaries in the past for several years. We talked with them, and they asked us to offer a prayer for Joan as Glenda said that she had been praying that someone from Joan's church would come to prayer for her. As we left the nursing home that day, the spirit was so strong. We left with goose bumps and literally felt the presence of angels around us. I have never before felt the veil so thin.

So here we are on fire with the spirit, and then neither of us could find our planners let alone remember who we planned to see next so we pulled over and said a prayer. As soon as I started praying, Sis. Krzymowski had the name Phoebe come to mind. And it felt so right. The only problem is neither of us knew who a Phoebe was! haha She wasn't in our phone, area book, or ward list. We couldn't even find a Phoebe street on the GPS to tract. But she felt close. We passed a purple house that we just felt like we had to go back to. We knocked on that door, which was part way open, and as soon as the lady saw us, she said, "not interested" without giving us a chance to say a word. We walked back to our car, but both knew there was something we still needed to do on that street. So we knocked some neighbors, then walked back to the car, still feeling not entirely complete. Then a lady across the street came out of her house, and we said Hi to her as she walked to her car and we walked to ours. I then felt the strongest impression that we could just not let her go! And can I just say what a great thing it is when your companion has the same impressions you do? Because as soon as I grabbed a card out of my bag, I head my companion ask " Excuse me? Do you by chance know a Phoebe?"  Now cue in Sis. Rushing's horrible lying skills when this lady walked towards us, sincerely trying to think if she knew anyone by that name, and asking us questions about who Phoebe might be. How do you explain to someone that the Spirit just told your companion a name and it felt right?! haha She was super friendly though and introduced herself as Fran. She even asked what we do and what message we share as well as an invitation for lunch on Christmas! It was a miracle! Let alone the fact she was on her way to work... at the nursing home we were just at to visit Joan! So we might not of found a Phoebe, but we did find a Fran! There names do sound close enough wouldn't you say?! haha

Then as soon as we could on Sunday, we were back at the nursing home. Nurses kept coming in asking what church we were from, and telling us how lovely we were, and making sure we felt comfortable if she was to pass away while we sat with her. She was so close to going. We sat there with her, read scriptures, sang hymns, and then it was time to head to an appointment but I just COULD NOT leave her. So I offered a prayer asking Heavenly Father to not keep her here longer than she is needed but to please not let her pass away alone and then we headed out. On the way out though, we ran into Fran again who asked if Phoebe could be in Moruya, because she was telling her husband about it and he is a school teacher there with a student very interested in religion. How crazy is that? We might just find Phoebe after all!

Then as soon as our appointment was over, we were back by Joan's side. Within the next hour she passed away very peacefully. I felt such a rush of the spirit as she softly took her last breath. One of the nurses, who actually opened up the door for us earlier that day, was in the room as well. My prayer was answered and I was so happy to know she had people by her side as she left this mortal world and I feel so blessed to be one of the them. It was an amazing spiritual experience that I will never forget. Sis. Krzymowski and I were talking as well yesterday about what a great missionary Joan was as she perfectly managed to hold out just long enough for us to talk with this nurse about volunteering opportunities at the nursing home so that we could continue to help others. I really can't meet you one day Joan Waite.

So that had to be the big highlight of this week, without a doubt. But we had many other amazing miracles, lessons, trainings and studies. As I finished the Old Testament, I can now say that I not only have read all the standard works but how I know that this gospel, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints is a fullness of doctrine. I agree with President Uchtdorf who wholeheartedly told us this last conference that a testimony is the thing of most worth we can gain in this life. And I feel like that is what I have gained as I continue to feast upon the words of Christ. I love the scriptures!!!!!!!!

We had an amazing zone conference this week as well. It was special in that we had a little mini testimony meeting as a zone. Testifying of truth always invites the spirit. I know without a doubt that what I get to testify of each day is true, and that Jesus Christ is our Savior. I am so excited for Christmas. And part of me really wishes I could have one more as a missionary and I feel like this year I have grown so much closer to him and appreciate His life so much more. I really hope that feeling will continue to repeat itself, year after year. I love being a missionary :)

Love You!

Sister Rushing :)

P.S. We now have a senior couple in Narooma. So we both kind of feel like trainers :) They are so awesome, so green, SO American haha we love them! :) I will have to get a picture with them this week to add as well! Only scenic pics this week. Enjoy the beauty of the earth! oh wait... just kidding. I don't have a memory card reader. Next time! :)