He Spoke I Went

Every now and then, the Lord gives us an unexpected moment that reminds us just how closely He walks with us—how aware He is of our hearts, our histories, and our personal healing.

Recently, I had one of those moments. It began with two missionaries who followed a quiet prompting to invite me to accompany them to pick up a new missionary who was flying in from Manila. On the surface, it seemed like a normal invitation to serve—just a chance to help welcome someone new.

But what unfolded was anything but ordinary. The new missionary happened to be from a suburb near the place where my late wife, Tisa, was born. She was later adopted from that area, and her—and our daughter Risa’s—Filipino heritage has always carried special meaning for our family. The timing of the pickup was also significant: it happened to fall on Tisa’s birthday. That detail alone felt like a tender mercy, as if the Lord were gently weaving something sacred behind the scenes.

During our ride from the airport, I had the chance to speak with this new missionary. His testimony of the restoration of the gospel and his faith journey were inspiring. In that quiet conversation, the Spirit gently opened my heart in a way I had not anticipated. The Plan of Salvation—something I have believed, taught, and cherished for years—suddenly felt incredibly personal. I felt the Savior’s love not just for me, but for Tisa, for our family, and for all of us navigating the beauty and complexity of family, identity, and eternal progression.

As we approached the security area to meet the new missionary, I caught a glimpse—just a feeling, really—of the reunion Tisa may have experienced with family members who preceded her in death, particularly those she never had the chance to meet in this life. I imagined the tears of relief, the joy, the profound peace that comes when long-held questions are answered and long-separated hearts are finally made whole. That small moment brought a measure of healing to my own heart—something I hadn’t even realized I needed that day.

What started as a simple airport run turned into a divine experience—one that reminded me that God’s work is happening all around us, often in quiet and unexpected ways. I am especially grateful for two faithful missionaries who listened to the Spirit, acted on a prompting, and—through one small invitation—helped open a window into eternity for me.

This experience strengthened my testimony that no act of service is ever small when it’s done by the Spirit. When we follow those promptings to love, share, and invite, we never know just how far-reaching the impact might be.