Tuesday, January 27, 2015

January 26, 2015

Dear family,

It has been another great week here!  B was baptized this week!  That is probably the most exciting news from this past week.  We taught him several times this week and finished all of the lessons.  The baptism went really well and everything ran smoothly.  There was a great turn out from the ward and we had the baptismal service in the chapel.  His parents, his aunt and uncle, and a family friend came.  He was telling us earlier in the week that his parents were not happy with his decision, but would support him.  It was amazing what happened at the baptism.   His family sat right behind him in the second row.   The incredible part was that afterwards when he hugged his dad, his dad was crying.  Sometime during the baptism his father felt the spirit.  It's amazing how the spirit can soften hearts.  After the baptism, we could tell his family was very proud of him and happy with the decision he made.  They ended up staying for refreshments and talking to several of the members there.  It was an amazing baptism and he received the priesthood the next day in church.  I'm hoping that his family will have interest and start coming to church.

We had a couple lessons with A this week.  He also came to B's baptism and really enjoyed it.  He is still trying to figure out what day he is going to be baptized.  He wants a specific person to baptize him so they are trying to figure that out.  It will definitely be in February and hopefully before Elder Rich goes home.  He is super prepared and ready to be baptized.  He has been coming  to church for so long.  We taught the word of wisdom and he said he is already keeping it.  We also taught him about praying often and studying the scriptures daily, and he is already doing that.  We have a lesson with him tomorrow and we will find out the day for his baptism.  

We also taught the over age youth, and she is doing great.  We have been teaching her several of the commandments.  It's always fun to teach someone young and teach everything simple.  It's also fun to use pictures and things like that.  The grandfather is an active member of the church and is going to come into town to do the baptism.  They are also not sure what day will work for them.  They said it will probably be close to the end of February.  

We haven't been able to contact our other investigator.  Her friend that first introduced her to the missionaries has been able to talk to her about it.  She still wants to be baptized and knows it is special, but has started school and is working a lot.  We are still praying for her.

Yesterday we participated in a small fireside that one of our stakes put together.  They had the missionaries put together a musical number.  We helped rake leaves for a single sister in one of our wards.  We had a choir practice for the mission choir.  They stopped doing it around Christmas time for several reasons.  It was a great chance to take investigators to the Mesa temple Christmas lights instead.  They started it up again, and we will have a choir concert once a month at the church right next to the Gilbert temple.

It's great to be a missionary!  I learn so much every day.  It's amazing to see the gospel of Jesus Christ change our brothers and sisters lives.  It's amazing all the small tender mercies that we see every single day (1 Nephi 1:20).  Our Heavenly Father is aware of us and knows everything about us and He wants us to be happy.  It's amazing to see His hand in our lives.  Thanks for all of your prayers and all that you do for me.  I love you all so much!

Hope you all have a great week!

Love,

Elder Joshua Gandy




No comments:

Post a Comment