All is well here in Gaines-ville. Last week was a very interesting week. Elder Morris and I really focused on making sure Misa was prepared for baptism, and she was. We had a really great lesson with her last Monday night. She said she was feeling scared and was worried that she wasn't ready for baptism. We talked for a little longer, and then I shared that I felt the same way before I came on my mission. That I felt scared and wasn't sure if I was ready. However, I did know that the church is true, that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, that the Book of Mormon is true. Therefore I knew that serving a mission was the right thing to do. We told her that if she knew those same three things that she would know that baptism was the right thing to do. She sat for a moment thinking and then it's like a light when on in her head. She simply said that she was okay and knew it was right. It was incredible! It was a really great moment. I had the privilege of baptizing her on Saturday. It was a great baptism. I was happy with it. Unfortunately she wasn't able to be confirmed yesterday, but will be next week. Yesterday she was going to be confirmed, but to make a long story short she ended up passing out in the foyer. It was pretty scary. We had the paramedics come and they didn't find anything wrong with her. We gave her a blessing then she went home to sleep. We're going to go see her tonight and give her a cake or something like that. All in all I feel like everything is going to be okay. I know she has a testimony and wants to do what is right. The rest of the week was okay. Not too much else happened. We did find some new investigators! It had been quite awhile since we had found anyone. It's nice to have someone new to teach. Especially now that Misa has been baptized. Our new investigators are actually a family. On Saturday we taught the Dad and his three kids. Two of them are over 8. The mom wasn't able to be at the lesson, but she's actually the person we originally talked to and who wanted us to come back.
Transfer calls came on Saturday night. Elder Morris and I are both staying here. Elder Bagley and Elder Camp are both being transferred. We were all really surprised when we heard this. We figured that one of them would be transferred, but not both. I'm sad that they're leaving. I have really enjoyed serving around them. They're both really great missionaries. I have learned a lot from each of them. I'm happy that I get to serve with Elder Morris for at least another transfer. This upcoming transfer is going to be challenging and a lot of fun. Which leads me to the reason I titled this email "Another Calling." I have been called to be a District Leader. Elder Bagley was the District Leader, but now I have the privilege of serving the Lord in that capacity. I'm nervous. Luckily our district isn't very big. I think there are only going to be six missionaries including Elder Morris and myself. Getting any calling is such a humbling experience. It really makes me realize how important it is to be worthy of the companionship of the Holy Ghost. I know I can't do this without the Lord's guidance. Also Elder Morris and I are going to be the only missionaries in our ward. If you remember, Elder Bagley and Elder Camp split the ward with us. Now that they're leaving it's all our responsibility. This week is going to be pretty busy with all the changes. We have a lot of things to get in order.
My studies last week went pretty well. I studied the doctrine of Christ. Which is, faith in Christ, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. I learned a lot. It's especially important to know that this is an ongoing process. It's not a one time thing. We must always build our faith in Christ. Which leads us to repenting. That leads us to either being baptized, or renewing our baptismal covenants through worthily receiving the Sacrament. That makes us worthy to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost, and then enduring means continuing to do these things. Like I said, I learned a lot. One thing that I really enjoyed was in 3 NE 11:39 it says "Verily, verily, I say unto you, that this is my doctrine, and whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them." At the moment I read this I realized it goes perfectly with Helaman 5:12 and how we need to build our foundation on Christ. I realized that the way we build our foundation on Christ is by living the doctrine of Christ. It's something that just hadn't clicked before. It was a great moment. I really felt the Spirit. It made me happy.
That's all for now. I will email you all next week and let you know if I'm still sane....hahaha just kidding, I know things will work out.
Love Always, Zach
No comments:
Post a Comment