HEY
PEEPS!
Wow this week was so great! In fact, it was the best week we've
probably had in awhile. It's obvious that the Lord kept me in this area with
Elder Flake for a reason because we've got a lot more work to accomplish together.
The week began on Tuesday when we conducted a church tour with a new family,
the Browns, who we met while tracting. Mary and Levi are such nice people and
they have the sweetest two kids. Levi is from Jamaica and Mary is from Nigeria.
We took them on the church tour with a member of our ward who is also from
Africa and who used to be Pentecostal like Mary, so he was a great fit for
them. When we took them into the chapel we asked the Browns to be quite for a
few minutes and feel the spirit that was there. It was amazing! When we invited
them to be baptized, Levi said "When I answer that question, I want to
make sure that it's definite. So let's wait, but we're off to a good
start." They are really excited to keep learning!
A few weeks ago we met a less active member named Randy Hampl who
lives near to the church. His wife isn't a member and his daughter is seven
years old, about to turn eight. We got to know him and really connected with
him. So, this past week we started teaching them. It makes me think about how
many people are out there that we don't know about who are less active and
ready to be taught again. Anyway, we taught them twice this week and they came
to church yesterday! As we were teaching them, Randy's wife Heather asked a
dozen questions, and as we spoke with her, Randy looked through his set of
scriptures and saw all of his markings and pictures. You could literally see
the Spirit bring things back to his remembrance and stir truth inside of him.
It was so cool! Hopefully we can continue to help them progress and get them
moving forward.
Enough chit chat. I need to
share the news about Kamari and Aaysia! This week was SOOOOOO COOOOL
AHHHH. The Lord is playing such a huge hand in their lives. It's ridiculous. On
Wednesday, we went to their place to teach Kamari and Aaysia and talk with them
about baptism. We sat down and asked them what they thought about all we have
shared with them and Kamari responded, "You know, I was sitting in class
on Sunday and the teacher asked me questions and I kept getting all the answers
right and I thought to myself, 'why don't I just go all-out in this?' So ya, I
want to be baptized." My heart lept as I silently said, “YESSSS BABY.” Ha
ha. It was so sweet! His only hold up was he wanted to "feel his answer
from the Holy Ghost." So we committed him to pray that night about it.
Kamari also said the closing prayer in the lesson, and you have to know Kamari
to understand how sweet, yet funny his prayer was. When Kamari prays, he literally just talks to
God like He's right next to him and Kamari is so sincere about his prayers. He
starts off and says, "God, Thanks for the lesson today. It was a good
lesson! Like, it wasn't too long; wasn't too short; it was just right. Help me
keep going with the faith, the repentence, and all the other stuff I can't
remember right now." I had the biggest smile on my face because I just love
that kid!
On Thursday night we went back to teach them, like we always do. We
were on splits so I was there with Brother Fairclough, the first counselor in
the bishopric of our ward. After the opening prayer, Kamari and Aaysia told
Emoy that they had made the decision to be baptized. Emoy started crying
because she was so proud of them! It was the first time I've ever seen Emoy cry
from the Spirit and trust me, she is one of the most spiritual women I've ever
met. It was amazing! But Kamari was still held up about getting a confirmation
from the Holy Ghost, and Aaysia expressed how she was worried what God would
think of her if she messed up after she was baptized. So, Brother Fairclough
and I opened up 3 Nephi 17 and read with them about Christ blessing the little
children. We asked them to close their eyes while I retold the story more
personally for them. I wanted them to picture Christ weeping for them and
blessing them. The Spirit was SO strong. I can't even explain it. When we
opened our eyes I asked Kamari how he felt and he said, "I felt it! I felt
like Jesus was just putting His arms around me!" It was seriously the best
lesson I've been a part of while on my mission. The Holy Ghost is incredible
and has the power to touch anyone. We set a baptismal date for July 19th! Then,
we got some excellent news from Emoy (well, depending on how you look at it). Emoy and Brandon broke up so he is moving out, which means Emoy can get
baptized too! We're giving her some time to gather herself and get
everything figured out, but I wouldn't be surprised if she joined her children
in a few weeks. The way the Lord is working with this family is incredible.
That's why I love being a missionary!
These pictures are of a hole I dug for a less active woman this week.
She's putting two five-foot deep barrels for sewage in a house she's making out
of her garage. I felt like I was in the book Holes with the sun beating down on me and blisters forming on my
hands. Yet, I loved digging the hole for her. Since I enjoyed digging a hole, I
must be turning insane. Missionary work will do suprising things to a young
man.
I love all of you so much! Thank you for your prayers and your
support! As you celebrate the Fourth of July remember,
"…this land shall be
a land of liberty unto the Gentiles, and there shall be no kings upon the land,
who shall raise up unto the Gentiles."
(2 Ne 10:11)
GOD BLESS 'MURICA.
Bye!
Elder
Roddy
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