May 24th, 2010

Well this week has been really good....with the baptism and everything it went great! i'll get to that just now...The week started off really good... Tuesday we had a great day. We saw almost everyone that we wanted to see. The best part was that at the end of the day we had seen Mark (the skater) and his family. We had originally just planned to watched and explain more about the Restoration but instead we spoke about Prayer and the BOM. The lesson went great. This time we had mark, his gma, his sister mandy (25 yr) and his younger brother (15). So it was nice. At the end of the lesson everything made perfect sense and they better understood prayer right...but then just before we were leaving...mark wanted to know more about the after life. He expressed more about his mother passing away last year...and wanting to know more. This was becoming an emotional subject for the whole family. Mark told us about how he used to have this other kid that he used to skate with who's mother had committed suicide. Mark could never understand why this kid always looked depressed and pale and everything...until mark himself lost his mother. So this opened a perfect discussion about the rest of the plan of salvation. We emphasized the importance of the BOM and how it has so many truths that are in there that help us better understand the after life. We left Alma 40 for him to read and we'd explain it more in depth when we come back again. Even Mandy the sister, it was her first time seeing the BOM and she just sat with it on her lap stroking it and looking very curious through it. But it was funny, we read the first verse of Alma 40 with him...and it states something along the lines of "And now my son, i perceive that ye are still questioned concerning the resurrection of the dead."...something like...we read him that verse and left him to read the chapter which would help him better understand the after life. We bore testimony that he would see his mother again...and we can be with our loved ones again...everyone was very emotional. ...But we went back there just yesterday and started the POS with the family...unfortunately mark was out and so we just stopped after our earth life...we'll finish it when mark gets there tomorrow. But they really liked what we had spoken about and it made perfect sense. Wonderful family... Yesterday was the baptism of Gine and Tiffany Marias. Great people! They had asked me to perform the baptism which was an honor and even the whole baptism service was so spiritual. My companion gave an excellent talk on Baptism...many members were there for support...it was a great day for a baptism...just really hot outside. But the water was freezing...haha. But yeah...it was a great service and they'll be a great addition to the branch. They're the best! I think they're worried that i might leave...but i told them to start praying for understanding if i do leave this transfer...but they have a strong testimony already. We're still teaching great families...and we dunno exactly who will be next to be baptized. But we're hoping that this next transfer we should get at least a family...and even a part membe family also..another mother and daughter. So yeah we feel very good about the work and are always trying to improve ourselves. It'll be interesting to see what'lll happen for this week...maybe i'll stay...maybe i'll go. But i'll keep ya posted on what happens if anything...Thanks to everyone! Each day is something different and if i leave...i've very much enjoyed my time here in Cleary. Thanks for everyone for the prayers! The mission needs them! O and i cracked my skateboard unfortunately this past week which ruined my day...haha. It's still in one piece..but could break completely if i'm not careful...i do have an old extra one...so i'll throw that one on...i dont wanna buy another...but it's sad. But i'll be alright... Elder Devenney