Easter Weekend

Apr 25, 2011...Dear Family,

It was another good week here in Lake City. I feel like I'm more settled and comfortable here. Elder Allen and I are still getting along great. We have also been able to adapt to one another rather quickly. I'm really thankful I have this opportunity to serve here. Elder Allen is a great missionary. He is a great example of humility and love.



We were on bike last week and rode a little over a hundred miles. It was great! There were some days where it seemed like we didn't ride very much and others where it felt like that's all we did. I enjoyed both types of days. The Lord has really been blessing us. We found a few more new investigators and were able to help our other investigators progress. One thing I'm happy about is that we have invited all of our investigators to be baptized. While most of them don't think they're ready yet, it is good that they know what we are all working towards. All of them have said they would get baptized if they come to know this is true. We did set a baptismal date with a new investigator we found. His name is Mario and we are working towards him being baptized on May 21st. On Saturday we met him and had a really great lesson. It's incredible to watch people as the Spirit works on them. At the beginning of the lesson he was somewhat focused, but by the end he was hanging on every word we spoke. He was telling us that he wants us to come back once or twice a week to teach him more before we were even finished with the lesson. He was really excited. We are going to see him later today. The rest of the week was good. We had a few bumps in the road, but that's all part of life. I really feel like I've been more focused lately. It's very refreshing.


As far as Easter goes, it was good. We went and had dinner with a few members. The food was really good. We had macaroni and cheese, chicken wings, cornbread, rice, and some other things. Definitely different than home. For dessert we had....rice krispie treats and cookies. Good, but not as good as strawberry shortcake. I was actually really bummed out the other night when I realized I wouldn't be able to have any. Elder Allen suggested we buy some, but I explained that store bought stuff wasn't nearly as good.


My studies have been going well. With Easter being last Sunday I really have been reflecting on Christ and His Atonement. I can't truly express how grateful I am for His sacrifice. The Atonement is everything. Without it we would be nothing. It encompasses so much more than we truly know. He not only took upon Him our sins, but also our pains and afflictions. It says this is Alma 7:11-12. This means that whatever we may be going through we can turn to Him. He knows and loves us. He wants to help us. We just have to go to Him for that help. I know that Jesus Christ is my savior. I feel His great love in my life and it brings me greater peace and joy than anything else. He is the rock upon which we must build our foundation. For if we build it upon anything else we will fall. I love each of you with all my heart. I appreciate all that each of you has done for me throughout my life. I love my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the rock upon which I have built my foundation and I pray that each of you may do the same.


Love Always, Zach