This week was one of the greatest of my mission so far. The reason being Zaida Van Syckle. Zaida has become a lifelong friend and someone that has changed my life.
Zaida was raised as a Jehovah's Witness and quickly learned to love God. She loves Him and loves serving Him. For years she attended her meetings and served those around her. She made a few choices that weren't approved by her religion. She ended up being disfellowshipped from her church and disowned from her family. Still, she pressed on and kept her faith in God strong. A few years ago, however, she lost her 15 year old son, Jonathan, to suicide. It devestated her and her husband. They grieved beyond what I could ever imagine and the pain they felt left scars. I can't even begin to understand what they went through at that time, and since. So Zaida felt incredibly, immeasurably alone. As the years went by, however, she had several experiences where she knew that her son still existed. She felt him close and knew that he was somewhere nearby. This was new to her! She had grown up believing that people didn't have spirits or souls and so she didn't understand any of these things that she was experiencing. She tried many many churches to find answers, but couldn't find any (sound like anyone you know?) One night, she felt like giving up. She wanted to follow God, but couldn't find him. She felt desperate and about to give up. She knelt in prayer that night and pleaded with God to help her. She told Him that she couldn't find Him, but that she would do whatever He asked if He would send help. Her prayer was so sincere. As she related this experience to us, I felt the Holy Ghost SO strongly, testifying of the sincerety of her prayer. The next day, she met the missionaries.
I came into the area a few weeks after the missionaries had found her. I was able to take part in teaching her about the Plan of Salvation, that her son still existed, that he was learning about the gospel in the Spirit World, and even more importantly, that she would see her son again after the Resurrection. I was able to testify of my knowledge of the plan and to see the Holy Ghost work in her. It's amazing to me how little I did. My companion, Elder Shaw, was incredible, though. Because of experiences he's had, he was able to testify with power and authority from God. He promised her answers to her prayers as she acted in faith. And she did. One night, as she was reading the Gospel Principles Manual, she came across an answer to a question that she had had for over 40 years. 40 years!!! Can you believe that? At that moment, she knew this was the path for her to take. She showed courage and faith and accepted the invitation to be baptized. At her baptism, she testified that she knows for herself that this is true. She knows what God wants her to do. She bore the most poweful testimony I've ever heard and the Spirit confirmed it to all of our hearts. She is an example of how the Lord is preparing all of his children to hear the gospel. It has healed her, given her purpose in her life, and given her the comfort and knowledge she needed to continue on in faith. She's already sharing her testimony with others. I have been greatly amazed at her faith. And Zaida Van Syckle will be my friend for forever.
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