02/08/2009 Letter from Elder Joshua Shelhamer

Here in my area we have had a lot of strong winds lately, but the work of the Lord is going forth. There are a lot of visitors arriving from Brazil, Portugal, and America as well to observe the celebration of "Carnival." Other than that, everything is going alone as normal.
This week I witnessed the blessing of Obedience. I am currently teaching a family with a Father, Mother, a young boy, and a baby. They are a wonderful humble family living with under minimal conditions.
As we continue to teach them about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and his commandments, they continue to follow our counsel with a willing heart. Before the father of this family came in contact with us, the missionaries, he was doing things in his life that weren't all in harmony with the teachings of Christ. As he continued to make big changes in his life, leaving things behind which he once enjoyed, we witnessed the blessings of Obedience fill his life.
One big change that this father made in his life was his work. He didn't have a good strong job, but had a job in which he only worked on Saturdays and Sundays. As this father continued to learn more about the gospel, he knew that he must attend church on Sunday mornings and observe the day of the Lord. He willingly,having faith and hope in our Heavenly Father, dropped his job. Then, not having any income, living under his conditions with a new family, something had to happen. About 3 days after this father quit his job to observe the Sabbath Day with his family, a blessing arrived. Through his obedience in observing the day of the Lord along with the other commandments, this father received a offer for a job during the week, of which he would never be required to work on Sunday. Through this man's faith in the our Father's love, and through obedience of the commandments of our Heavenly Father, this man and his family have been richly blessed. The fathers life has greatly changed from before, and the family is now enjoying the rich blessings of the gospel in their family.
I testify that obedience to the commandments of our Heavenly Father brings blessings into our lives. I know that as we strive to be children obeying our Father, he will bless us with those blessings he has prepared for each one of us.