Family and Friends,
This week has been one of the best weeks so far in my mission. It was also one of the busiest weeks in the mission due to everything that we had to prepare for. A little overview of my week includes: Mission leadership council, zone interviews with President Palmer, Family history, Temple trip with the branch, and then a baptism and confirmation of Josh Nardini! I wish every week could be this good.
Mission leadership council went very good. We talked a lot about the way that the Savior learned. A lot of general conference was based upon the scriptures and how even Jesus Christ did not receive all from the beginning. He learned grace for grace. We counselled a lot about how the scriptures can be used well in teaching and learning situations. Also, that in the scriptures the Savior asked INSPIRED questions to teach others sacred principles. It was a great meeting. President also announced that the new Christmas initiative will be Light the World pt. 2! It is going to be a great opportunity for us missionaries to use proselyting.
This week I was able to do some family history and then was able to take the names I discovered to the Temple! It was a great experience that really showed me how amazing family history work is. I was able to find the furthest ancestor back in the Willden line. His name was Edward Wheeldon. I could really feel the spirit as my companion was able to baptize me in behalf of this ancestor. This Temple trip was very spiritual. Juan, our recent convert, was also able to take a family name to the Temple. It was his great great great grandfather. As Elder Stewart and I confirmed him for his ancestor tears filled his eyes. Juan told us he wanted to go back to the Temple as soon as possible. It was so cool. We told Juan he was able to go back and he asked, "And go inside??" haha. We told him he now had a recommend so he could go whenever he wanted! It was so funny!
We have been finding a lot of success finding lately. God is blessing this area and allowing us to teach. Just yesterday we were able to set up an appointment with Garrett, one of our potentials. We went over and we were surprised that he was living with a girlfriend. Her name is Ashley. So we asked about both of their religious backgrounds. Garrett had been to the Mormon church a lot when he was in the military. He was actually at Hill Air Force base and went to the church a lot. He said he liked how nice everyone was. We asked if he was familiar with the Book of Mormon and he pulled a copy out haha. Ashley's religious background was interesting. She told us she was from the Church of Christ...It didn't click in my head for a minute until she told us it was a branch off from our church. She used to attend the RLDS church. That is where she was raised. She told us she was also familiar with the Book of Mormon. We were able to share the message of the Restoration. We asked if they would be willing to be baptized if they found out it was true. Garret said, "No." And Ashley said, "I have already been baptized...so no." Haha Elder Stewart and I were stunned! We asked why Garrett wouldn't and he said that he did not feel the need. We did our best to address these issues out of the Book of Mormon. It was so good! We talked to Garrett about the necessity of being baptized and shared 2 Nephi 31. After all of the scriptures and the spirit guiding us they both agreed to take the lessons and give it a shot. And if they found it was true they would be baptized! It was such an amazing experience.
Josh's Baptism went soooo good! His testimony was so powerful. He talked about his experience growing up agnostic and how he was always wondering if something was out there. He related the happiness he felt as he attended church and learned about the gospel. He started tearing up as he talked about how he appreciated the support from everyone at church because he didn't have a lot of support or kindness at home. And then he bore a powerful witness of Jesus Christ being our Savior. And how the Book of Mormon is true. It was an amazing service. I have thoroughly enjoyed helping Juan and Josh on their journey to salvation. They are two very solid converts.
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