February Fast

Dear readers

This month I wanted to fast for something specific. I wanted to fast for something because it was one of my goals this year to use this blog as a platform to record the every day miracles that happen in my very ordinary (perhaps even uneventful, lol) life. 

I Feel My Saviour's Love

So as of last night and today, I had been fasting that the Oakhurst ward primary children will feel the love of the Saviour. 

It's funny how things work out without me really planning it. Our primary music leader taught the children his particular hymn: I Feel My Savior's Love. 

There were two other songs that we had planned to sing that today, but that was the song that she decided to focus on. These are the lyrics of the first verse.

I feel my Savior's love

In all the world around me.

His Spirit warms my soul

Through ev'rything I see.

He knows I will follow him

Give all my life to him.

I feel my Savior's love

The love he freely gives me.

I love this hymn. However, during music time, I was too busy writing down the lyrics of the next song to really be in the moment and I regret that. Sometimes, we just need to sit down and stop worrying instead of trying to plan ahead. Only then can we access the blessings that the Lord is waiting to pour on us.

The Story of the Liahona 

I also had the opportunity to teach the Valiant 9-10 girls today about the story of the Liahona. There were only three of them. I was quite proud of myself because today I realised that I wasn't stressed about learning their names, because I already knew them.  I think the Spirit must've brought it into my remembrance. They all feel connected to me. One of them called me sister Magallanes, which is my maiden/missionary title. Which was funny because I'm actually sister Mckellar now, but that's okay, lol, they'll get to know me better.

After I had them help me tell the story of the Liahona, I emphasised to them that the Liahona was a ball of compass that only worked if Lehi and his family was obedient. And the same applies to us; the Spirit is like our Liahona that will guide us the right path if we are obedient to God's commandments.

This young sister shared a little story about how grateful she was to me. She said that she really likes me teaching. She shared an experience about something that happened not too long ago. If I understood correctly, she had been given a Book of Mormon stories book as a gift and was reading it out loud to herself. She said that her mum was listening and asked her what Nephi meant by "I will go and do." She told me that she was able to explain to her mum what it means because of the lessons that I've been teaching to her at church. I was so touched, because I must admit that I had no idea that she was really taking the primary lessons to heart and applying them, and teaching them to others. I was so moved. I didn't even realise that my confidence in myself was fading until this little girl boosted it for me. But the Lord knew how I was feeling. And the Lord delivered a gift to me.

Another young sister shared an experience about how through her example and inviting her cousins to come to church, her auntie also desired to come to church. I told her that that's exactly what the Liahona is all about! It is about listening to the spirit who is our Guide to help us to do absolutely anything the Lord would have us do, to go anywhere the Lord would have us go, to say what the Lord would have us say. I told her that because of her obedience and diligence in choosing the right, she was able to bring her cousins and auntie to church.

And the third girl spoke as well. She's so quite that everyone, even the girls sitting right beside her, needs to lean towards and strain ears to hear her speak. She said that every morning before school her mother gathers the family to pray. And that every night that read from the scriptures in their language and pray together before going to bed. I was so happy to hear that this little girl and her family are holding the strongest family tradition. After all: A family that prays together, stays together.

Let me tell you that today had so many hiccups. And definitely things did not go as expected, as always. Yet I believe because of the power of fasting, I was able to fulfil and magnify my calling to the absolute fullest according to my capabilities. I believe that the primary children truly felt loved today. You know how I know? Because I felt and saw God's hand in my life today.

Written with love,

Eliza.