"Babbling" isn't a word often used in present-day English. I don't think I had ever experienced what it means to hear babbling until I teamed up with my new companion Elder Gorman. He's a short, energetic, and organized Elder from Johannesburg, South Africa, Caucasian, and has been on the mission for about 18 months now. Most of his mission has been spent in the heavily urban areas, including six months in inner-city Baltimore. So imagine a born and raised 100% South African accent in an energetic body, throw it in a blender with hyper speed Baltimore slang, serve fresh and add the final topping of extreme sleep talking. Yep. Sleep talking.
I'd be willing to say that true babbling is understood at 2:00 a.m. with a loud awakening of Africans (his native language) mixed with English spurts of things he's actually stressed about. It has been good to share with him in the morning what I found out that night about him, though. A lot of stressful problems have been solved because of his honest unconscious babbling, so I guess it's another tool for success!
Honest communication between two companions is essential for substantial ministering. On three separate occasions this week we had deep discussions as to where we should go and to whom we should see at a specific time. At first we had different ideas, but as we counseled together we were able to find the right place to be. Surprisingly, all three of the times the consensus was an idea that was totally different from where either of us had originally wanted to go. The real miracle of counseling is felt when the plan is set into motion and your eyes are opened to why you were led to the decision. All three times we met a woman who needed spiritual comfort at the exact moment we arrived. One lady was lamenting and in anguish from her husband leaving her the day before for another woman. Another was mourning over her mother's death the exact day we arrived. The last was bottling up her tears taking care of her mother with Alzheimer's that remembered all of her children except for the only daughter who was willing to take care of her. We were humbled to be able to help each of the women by teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to "comfort those in need of comfort and mourn with those that mourn". It is miraculous to be a part of moments where the Holy Spirit floods in healing solace to people we meet. Coincidences are a foolish idea of the past due to the reality of acting on impressions from God. I can honestly proclaim with Moroni that miracles have not ceased among the children of men. All we have to do is keep our eyes open and our feet moving.
xoxo
Elder Burgess
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