Week 18
Week 18
Hi everyone!! Oh my goodness this week was busy! I am going to focus on only 3 big events that happened!
Okay before the first story some background:
Elder Warden and I found Anthony and Trey hard chillin on their porch one day, and shared a little bit about “The Plan of Happiness” Anthony said to come back and talk to his girlfriend, Desiree! So Elder Warden and I came back a few days later and got to know Desiree. We gave her a Book of Mormon, promised her blessings if she read it, and then planned a return lesson to pass her off to the English speaking missionaries.
On Tuesday, Elder Close (English Reading Missionary) and I went on the exchange lesson. I expected this meeting to be very simple, and just to hand off these people to the English speaking missionaries. NOPE!! Listen to this!!
Desiree invited us in and sat down with her boyfriend, Anthony. They told us that they read in the Book of Mormon with their daughter and loved it! Anthony told us that he wanted his own copy of the book, and Elder Close gave him one from his bag! At this point I knew we were going to be teaching a real lesson, so we started with a prayer and I began to explain the Book of Mormon.
Before I got too far into the explanation, Anthony’s friend Trey walked in and said he too wanted his own copy of the Book of Mormon!! I gave him the copy out of my hands, and then restarted my explanation of the Book of Mormon. I explained how it is a record of the people in the ancient Americas, and that the purpose of the book is to testify of Jesus Christ.
Elder Close and I then taught a lesson about the Restoration, explaining that through a modern day prophet, the church of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth. Not reformed, not changed, Restored. We gave our testimonies of the blessings that come from the Book of Mormon, and shared that through the teachings of Jesus Christ, we can have happiness in this life, and the next.
As we were about to extend our invitation, Desiree’s twin sister walked in and asked for her own copy of the Book of Mormon!! I told her I would have to get one from the car, but that I would get her one!! Our invitation that we gave was bold. In the Book of Mormon in a book called Moroni, there is a promis given:
4: And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
5: And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.”
We told these four people that they should not just trust in our words. If they just trusted in our words, then their testimony would not be sure. We promised them that if they read, and prayed with a sincere heart, real intent, and Faith in Christ, then they would recieve and answer from their loving Heavenly Father through the feelings of the Holy Ghost.
All four people accepted the invitation reverently, and then we closed with a prayer. Later throughout the week, Desiree, her kids, and others from this group would attend a baptism, a ward activity at the park, and church on Sunday. Desiree has set a date for her own baptism, and is willing to do anything to get to that point. Words cannot express how amazing this experience was, and I am so so grateful for God blessing us with these people who are so excited to have found the true church of Christ.
Because of her injured leg, she asked that both Elder Warden and I help her down into the font. We both dressed in all white, helped her down into the font, and then I said the baptismal prayer in spanish. I immersed her below the water, and Elder Warden helped her come up carefully. She came up and yelled out in english: “YESSS!!!” We were all so happy!
Her baptismal service was very beautiful! There were some Hymns sung, a few talks given by Iris’ friends, and a wonderful spirit. The 30 or so people there all made Iris feel so loved, and it was a very special day for her.
Lidianali and Marieli (some girls that we have been teaching) both came to the baptism and got to see how special it is. I think they both will be urged by the spirit to follow in the footsteps of Iris, and be baptized next month!!
This baptism took so much work and planning. There were A LOT of phone calls, invitations, and service all given just to help Iris feel loved. I am so thankful to all the members and non members who came and showed their kindness. I know Iris will feel very welcome in the ward because of all of the bright faces she saw on Saturday!
After the baptism, we had a SWEET ward party. Lemme tell ya about it! So the ward activity was from 10AM to 5PM, so everyone got there at noon and left at 8:00PM hahaha. At the ward activity there were about 80 people all either playing, cooking, talking, or eating!! All day there were dogs on the grills, sodas in coolers, and kids on the playground!! Us older kids all went and played some really fun games of football, soccer, and softball too!!
Elder Newman, Elder Sebra, Elder Warden and I all got pretty sunburned, but we all agreed it was the best day we have ever had on our missions. First a baptism in the morning, and then jus having fun and eating for the rest of the day. I also am happy to say that Lidianali, Marieli, and their friend all came and had a fun time getting to know the kids of the ward!!
Okay last few things.
First, there are freaking Centipedes all over my apartment. Elder Warden and I think that they are coming from the vents. We have never seen them before, but we got our air conditioner fixed and now we believe they are leaving their home in the vents because it is too cold. So yeah. Freaking Centipedes.
Second, last night we recieved the news about transfers. Usually after two transfers of training (12 weeks) you get a new companion! I am confused to say that this is not the case for me. I am staying with Elder Warden here in Reading for another 6 weeks at least!!
Third, I got really sick Thursday and Friday. I had to go to bed early Friday night in prepatation for ouur big day on Saturday, and I am really grateful for your prayers and love, because within one night I kicked the cold almost completely.
Fourth, there are 60 new missionaries coming to the mission in the next few transfers so everyone is going to be training!!
And Lastly, My companion and I spoke in a mission call this week about how to find with the Book of Mormon, and it was amazing. We have found a technique that is so effective in finding people that are interested and willing to learn more about the teachings of Jesus Christ!
Overall this week was amazing. I wish I could write more but I have to use my time today doing other things. I want you all to know how much I love and appreciate you. Without the support of my friends and family, this mission would not be possible. I pray for you all to see God’s hand in your lives, because he blesses you more than you can imagine.
Have a fantastic week and in advance thank you all so much for my gifts and love for my birthday! I can’t wait to tell you about my week!
-Elder Petty
P.S. Weekly plug for my sponsor ElderPetty.com (my sponsor is my dad) haha check it out if you wanna look at all my pictures and old emails!! I love you all!
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