Exact Obedience Brings Miracles

Who knew that I would learn a life-changing lesson about obedience from a lost watch, and a humble companion?

I never wore a watch before my mission.  I never felt like I needed one.  I would use the clocks around my house, around my high school, on my car dashboard.  If I went to a meeting or athletic training I didn't check the time throughout; it was over when it was over.

But my Grandpa Chuckles insisted that I needed a watch as a missionary.  Of course, he was right.  Having never been a missionary, I had no idea.

Elder Piland's Blessing

The experience I would like to share today is from when I was in Kunitachi ward, and Elder Piland was my companion.

I had been in Kamakura for 7 months, and I had worked hard.  I had just transferred into Kunitachi.  I had never been in Musashino Zone, and had heard very little about it.  I had some anticipation about being a Zone Leader over a zone I did not know, and over so many missionaries that I did not know; but I knew that God would help me to figure things out.

Elder Piland taught me so much that transfer, and I will never forget him.  He taught me more about patience, and about just having fun, even when all the odds are stacked against you.  He had so much faith, even when things looked tough.  He knew the Lord would pull us through.  He always trusted that God would bless him if he did everything God asked him to do, and he always did what God asked.

But the biggest lesson he taught me was when I asked him for a priesthood blessing.