What an amazing week it was! The Lord has blessed me so early in my
mission with a baptism. I don't feel deserving of such a wonderful
experience, but I am truly grateful for the great event and spiritual
learning I gained out of it.
First, I had the oppurtunity of working with Elder Moses early this
week in Crosby. Exchanges are great. I love having the oppurtunity
to learn about how other missionaries approach the Lord's work,
spiritual insights they have, and be able to gain a good relationship
with them. Elder Moses is a fine example of this oppurtunity. I
really enjoyed working with him.
Now, the baptism. Elder Jolliffe is very unselfish. Anja had no
cares on who did what for the baptism. Even though he was with her
through the whole conversion process, he extended the invitation for
me to baptize her. I really wanted him to since he was a part of the
whole conversion, but he insisted I do. The only things I missed he
said was finding her, and one lesson. He also expressed deep care
that I do it and wouldn't feel bad if he didn't. What a great example
he is to me and I'm glad he did so.
The baptisimal service was an absolute joy. The Spirit touched my
heart in so many different ways that evening. The talks given were a
big part of this, including Elder Jolliffe's. Baptizing was a whole
new world. She was so ready. You could see the light in her eyes as
she came out of the water and the true joy that the she felt.
I didn't realize howmuch I could learn through the Spirit in this way.
It was one of themost incredible experiences of spiritual learning I
have ever had.
The Lord has truly blessed me in so many circumstances thus far. I am
so grateful for the love He has shown me throughout my life.
We sang "I Know That My Redemer Lives" at the end of the service.
That song had never touched my heart so much as it did in the moment
we sang it. It was a reconfirmation to me that I know that my Master,
King, and Savior live. Even Jesus Christ. I also know that he will
always love me. I hope that He has felt my love for Him.
On Sunday, a member of the bishopric asked Elder Jollife and I if we
could speak in sacrament meeting five minutes before church started.
Luckily, Sacrament Meeting is at the end of church here. I spoke on
the Restoration. I never have felt the Spirit prick my heart the way
it did while sharing Joseph's First Vision experience in his own words
as it did then.
After chuch, we talked with Anja about her confirmation and how she
felt. We also asked why she decided to get baptized and why she let
us teach her. She answered by expressing how she found everyone to be
so happy and how she wanted that same happiness. She said during
lessons (her favorite part of the whole experience) she could see the
light in our eyes. And through that light she found truth in what we
shared with her. Even though sometimes it was hard for me to see and
feel if I was teaching by the Spirit, it is amazing to know that I
was. To see her progress and have that change of heart was such a
remarkable experience.
It is starting to get cold here. I pulled out my awesome overcoat for
the first time yesterday night. I didnt use the inner piece and
luckily I was quite warm. You can sense that winter is going to be
quite cold. We have had winds recently that have made their way down
from the artic. It goes right through you. You're lovely Idaho
weather doesn't suprise me one bit.
Living conditions are very good. I'll send you pictures soon. I dont
know how the compare to BYU housing really though. I have yet to have
fish and chips. We are having them next week though. So I am really
excited about that!
P-Days we email, go shopping at ASDA (which is owned by Walmart), do
laundry, and write letters. We can only write letters on P-day. Last
week however, we went to Liverpool and played basketball as a zone.
It felt good to put that ball in my hands again. I played very well
suprisingly.
Thank you for the wonderful words and advice. I have felt the Spirit
as I have read them. I love and pray for all you. May the Lord continue
to bless each of us in all we do. God bless.
Love,
Cameron
No comments:
Post a Comment