Dear Parents and Loved Ones,
Attached is a copy of the March Focal Point for the Texas Houston East Mission. We recently concluded Zone Conferences with each of the zones and we were pleased with the results.
We focused our messages on “Faith Unto Miracles.” Hopefully, you are aware that we have been reading the Book of Mormon with the intent of identifying stories that would increase the confidence in the Elders and Sisters that miracles in our work are possible if our faith is sufficient. Some of the scriptures we shared in the zone conferences were: Alma 37:40; 2 Nephi 1:10; 1 Nephi 7:12; Matthew 9:20-22 and Ether 12:13-16. I also shared the following statement by Joseph from The Lectures on Faith: “As faith is the moving cause of all action in temporal concerns. So it is in spiritual. Faith is not only the principle of action but the power also. Faith, then, is the first great governing principle which has power, dominion and authority over all things.”
Sister Crawford spoke on faith using a garden analogy that resonated with the missionaries. We built three 12’ X 42” X 12” grow boxes in the back yard of the mission home that were done in faith looking forward to a bountiful harvest. After Sister Crawford explained all that goes into a successful garden– thoughtful planning, great soil, the right positioning for the optimum sun, the right watering, tender care and genuine love – the missionaries were quite imaginative in using all the prerequisites for a successful garden and likening them to their area of service as the stewards over their “garden spot.” It was fun to watch their enthusiasm and listen to their responses.
We also focused on our scripture knowledge and testing our knowledge in a positive and fun way. We talked of the power of faith in our goal setting as missionaries and in life. At the end of the meeting the Assistants shared the “Hour of Power” which is that every Thursday at 5:50 p.m. the missionaries are to be in a member’s homes to share with them a brief lesson on faith then to let the family know that from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. they will be in their area or neighborhood searching out those who are ready and prepared to hear the gospel. At 5:55 p.m., the missionaries ask the members to kneel in prayer and ask in faith that the missionaries will be led to those in the neighborhood who are ready and prepared to hear the gospel message. We have experienced many wonderful miracle stories already. If you haven’t already been asked, Sister Crawford and I invite you to join with us every Thursday at 6:00 p.m. CST and ask the Lord to bless not only your loved one, but all the missionaries in T.H.E. Mission to find those, that very night, who are seeking to know the truth. I will thank you in advance for your additional prayers on our behalf.
We love these wonderful and mighty missionaries. We love you for your faith and sacrifices on their behalf.
With much love and respect,
President and Sister Crawford
Focal Point: