Chains

June 20, 2011...Dear Family,


Another week down...it was okay. We had some ups and downs.


The downs seemed to be a little more prominent compared to the ups. Unfortunately Shaun won't be getting baptized this weekend. Actually he's not going to get baptized at all the way it stands right now. He hasn't been keeping commitments lately, and is basically avoiding us. He was doing really well, but it seems the world has sucked him back into it. We would try to keep working with him, but last we heard he said he may be moving to Ft. Lauderdale (I probably spelled that wrong). It seemed like we had a rough few days in regards to our current investigators. Saturday was a crazy day too! There are a few scriptures that sum it up perfectly. They are Alma 8:10-11. Nobody would listen to us! I actually wasn't too concerned with it. The Lord blessed me with a really positive attitude that day. I felt relatively good, but people really wouldn't even let us talk. Elder Failner had a harder time with it.


On the up side we set a baptism date with a guy that is really awesome! His name is Nile and he is really legit. We have been teaching him for a few weeks now and last night we had a great lesson with him. He finally was able to recognize the Spirit, and was ready to prepare for baptism. One of his biggest hang ups right now is the WoW. However, we gave him a blessing and he said he felt really great afterwards. There was one potentially good thing that came from Saturday. It was about 8:50 and the last door we knocked on was a pretty cool lady. We didn't get to teach her because it was just Elder Failner and I, but we have a return appointment tonight. She has read the Book of Mormon in the past, but wouldn't talk much about how she came in contact with the Church. She just moved here from Gainesville, but already knew where the church was before we even mentioned it. She really has us stumped. We also got a really cool referral last week. The girl knows some stuff about the Church and says she wants to be baptized. One of her best friends is a member and was married in the temple last week. That's how she knows a little. We're going to see her tomorrow night and find out where she is.

Other than that the week was normal.


Now, for some of Mom's questions. My camera doesn't focus very well, especially when taking video. It also turns off when I zoom in past a certain point. In some of the videos it the light looks weird....it's hard to explain that part. That's all I can think of right now. Yes I got the letter from Brother Beckstead. I actually got another one last Monday. I'm surprised that he has been writing. You, him, and Aunt Cindy are the people who are writing me. I did get a letter from Danny and Tiff awhile back and Emily too. I haven't been able to write them back yet. I wish I had more time to write letters. I don't even have time to write in my journal every day. It's really sad.


My studies this last week went really well. One thing that really stood out is the importance of being obedient. In 2Ne1:13&23 it speaks of chains binding us down. I thought about how we each have "chains" binding us down and they're related to obedience. Whenever we don't obey one of God's commandments it's like we are putting on another chain. While some things may seem small they still add weight and slow our progression. It may even get to the point where our progression is stopped or we even go backwards. We all must shake off those chains. Even if it's one "small" chain at a time. After all as it in Alma 37:6-7 it talks about how great things happen through small and simple things. The way to obtain salvation it is through those small things that we do each day. As we make a little change at a time we will be able to find greater happiness and the Lord will bless us with more. He doesn't expect us to become perfect all at once. It comes line upon line, just like it says in 2Ne28:30. Our Heavenly Father is there and waiting to help us with this. I know this is true. I look back on the last few years and see that I've grown a lot! With that growth my happiness has grown too It didn't come all at once. It's been a little at a time. I invite each of you to look at your life and find a "little" chain that is weighing you down. Now remove it.


Love Always, Zach