Stories: Nanay Concordia (con't)
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| When Nanay asked that I would give the priesthood blessing, I was nervous for 2 reasons. One, I didn't know if I had enough faith to do this, and two, I really sucked at speaking Tagalog as I had only been the field for 4 months at the time. I said a little prayer in my heart asking that I would feel the promptings of what to say, and that I would say the right things. I was kind of hoping for the gift of tongues too. I started the prayer by letting her know that her Father in Heaven loved her very much and wanted the best for. I reminded her that this life is a test for us and we must endure it. I said more things but I can't remember exactly what I said then, but at the end of the prayer I began to wonder if Heavenly Father wanted her to walk. The thought was so strong in my head but I didn't know if that was the spirit speaking to me or not, I paused as I tried to decide what I should do...then it just came out, in my broken Tagalog I commanded her to arise and walk. The spirit felt so strong and the hairs on the back of my hand stood up, but I didn't feel Nanay move so I said it again. Nanay still didn't move instead she still sat there with her eyes shut tight and her body rigid. My companion and I sat down and stared at Nanay as she continued to sit there with her eyes shut. I began to worry that I had said the wrong thing and Nanay was now upset and would fall away, but then tears began to trickle out from her tightly shut eyes and a smile emerged. She open her eyes and nodded her head at us as if to give approval, but then she just sat there.
Confused, my companion asked her if she had heard what I had said, confused she asked, "When?"
"During the prayer" My companion replied.
"I heard it, but I didn't understand a thing Elder Asuao said" Nanay then answered.
My heart sank, and then my companion asked, "Then why were you crying?"
Nanay then told this story, "When my eyes were closed I had a dream that I was in a dark room. I was all alone, scared, and worried. Then I saw a man all dressed in white with silver hair and a silver beard. I was not afraid, his presence seemed to comfort me...He talked to me and told me that as long as I was faithful I would be able to worship him in his house for the rest of my life."
My companion then proceeded to tell her how special an experience she had just had, and that not many people get to have those kind of experiences.
Than experience taught me many things but one thing it taught me the most is that when we do his work in faith in diligence our imperfections can not mess things up. Even though I had probably said the wrong things in the prayer, I wanted more than anything to say what was right and do what was right, and the Lord knew that. This experience taught me more about the power of God, his work, and his love for us.
We never did tell Nanay Concordia Dechoso what I really said in that prayer...The Lord told her what she was supposed to hear. |
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