Preparing for the new year...and ETERNITY!!

December 26, 2011...Dear Family,



A step in the right direction. That's what last week was for Elder Mecham and I. We had some neat experiences and found some wonderful new people to teach. On Tuesday we went over to have a lesson with one of our investigators and she had two of her friends there. We taught the Plan of Salvation and it went really well. They all had some great questions and insights. We found the other investigator on Saturday while eating with a family. Their non-member mother lives with them. In the past we've taught the family and she has been there. She participates in the lessons, but didn't have any interest in learning more about the Church. Then on Saturday we taught the family and invited them to give a copy of The Book of Mormon out before the new year. They said they would and jokingly said they were going to give it to the non-member mother. Well, she said she would like that, and asked us if we would come and teach her more about what we believe. We were VERY surprised. Once again the Lord has placed people in our path to teach and people in the member's paths.


That's something I've been praying for a lot lately. I pray that we will be led to the elect, that they will be led to us, that the members will be led to the elect, and that the elect will be led to them. It has been incredible to see how the Lord has answered those prayers. There truly is great power when we pray. I've been striving to improve my prayers. Not to just say my prayers, but to actually pray...if that makes sense. At night I look back on the day and ponder what I did and what I could have done better. I think about what I need, and want, to accomplish the next day. Through this my prayers have become more meaningful. I have more faith and determination to go and work hard.


Since I have been here in St. Augustine we have been teaching a less-active young man named Chris. He is 20 and has been less-active for a long time. I have really enjoyed being able to teach him and see him progress. He has set a goal to go to the temple within the next year. He has things he must overcome, but he is determined. It's incredible to see the joy and light that has come into his life just over the short time we've been teaching him. That's what the gospel does. When people live the gospel they change. They find TRUE HAPPINESS.


I really enjoyed talking to you all, or most of you, last night.


This week is the last week of 2012. Next week is a new year. What goals do you have? I love setting goals and then making plans to achieve my goals. One thing that makes me happy is knowing that I don't have to wait for a new year to make a change in my life. I can start today. This video talks about this concept http://bcove.me/e1jzh39n


Life is all about change and growth. It's about progression.


Last week I was studying for a lesson. I was studying the kingdoms of glory. I was thinking about the celestial kingdom and the opportunity to be there as an eternal family. That possibility brings me so much happiness. That's what I am striving for. To follow God's commandments and be found worthy of the greatest gift that can ever be bestowed. Each of us has to be worthy of this. Nobody else can do it for us. Christ has made it possible. We need to choose to follow Him. We need to choose eternal life. I also read this in Preach My Gospel,


"[God's children] will live together for eternity with those of their family who qualify."


I want to be with each of you. I pray that I will qualify for this.


Love Always, Zach