Elder Bloxham - The miracle family!

I just wanted to tell the story of the Sherrod family because they are the greatest people in the ENTIRE world!!! They have brought so much joy to my life, and I can't wait to share with y'all some of the experiences we have been through with them.

I don't remember if I have shared the story of how we found them, but if I have, I'm sorry because I am going to say it again, and maybe get into a little more detail :)

 

Elder Hanks and I set out to find a family one day, and with faith in our hearts, we talked to as many people as would come into our path. As we ride our bikes down the street, in the distance we see a cute little black family. Ora pushing the stroller, Shaun at her left hand, and Jamesha at her right. Xavion running around the stroller, being 5 years old, he is full of energy. Inside the stroller is cute little Jannessa (sounds like janeesa). I locked them in my sights, and skidding to a stop, we pass our Mormon.org card. Ora is the shyest person I have ever met, and is very, very quiet. We express to her that her family can be blessed because of this Gospel, shared with her some passages from the Book of Mormon, then proceeded to say a prayer with the family, still confused at that point what all of their names were, but we say the prayer anyway! :) We snag the planners out of the good o'l pocket and write down her information. At that time, we did not know of the impact they would be having on our lives, or the humility we would gain from them. But the Lord knows, and that is why he has put them into our path.

 

At this point we didn't realize the situation that they were in, where they lived, or the depression they endured. Ora is a single mom and has 4 kids. And, They live at a Hotel. The first visit we had, we realized that she did not give us the room number, and we thought that we had lost this family forever. Until, 2 weeks later, we find them again.

 

It's interesting how the Lord works. With those whom he has prepared, he will always find a way for us to come in contact again. We got her room number, and stopped by the next day.

 

The first discussion we had with them, they accepted baptism. Through commitments and through the power and conviction of the Book of Mormon accompanied by the spirit, they now are converted to this true and everlasting Gospel. This Saturday, Ora led her family into the waters of baptism. I have never seen the true cleansing of baptism in the way it was with Ora. She comes up out of the water, with a huge smile, and tears streaming down her face. With forgiveness in her heart, and a repentant soul, she is now cleansed from her past. She went down into the water an unconfident, insecure woman, and came out of the water a new, confident, spiritual, daughter of God. She has now laid down that old person, and literally has been born again as a spiritual giant, and a leader to her family.

 

They are the most amazing family. They are so humble, have so much respect, and never have asked for assistance. They are such a united family, and are constantly helping each other. All they wanted in life, was to be forgiven of the past.

 

This really is the true church of Jesus Christ. His Gospel has been restored to the earth with all the Authority and Keys of the Priesthood power of God. We now can be sealed to our family forever! We can make sacred covenants with our Father in Heaven! And because of Him, we can be forgiven of our past. Guilt will be made peace, and fear can be made faith. Because of Him and His Gospel, we will live again with our Father in Heaven.

 

I love you all so very much!!!!

 

-Elder Bloxham

This is the Sherrod Family at the baptism!! and then Kevin on the left, a recent convert of 3 weeks :)