What a wonderful week the Lord has blessed us with. First of all, K and B S Jr. (B) were baptized yesterday! It was such a special day. Elder Schmutz baptized K and I had the privilege of baptizing B. The Spirit was so strong! They were just beaming. K was baptized first, and as she came back up the steps so that B & I could go down, B was like, " How do you feel? How do you feel?!?" Just really excited and nervous at the same time =] It was such a great experience, and the ward had great support. Best part: B Sr and M and her boyfriend S came and loved it too! Such an uplifting week preparing for that, and despite the opposition that came, it went through! I'll send you some pictures so you can see. Their family is continuing to make great progress. I love seeing them come into the gospel step by step! They have asked Elder Schmutz & I to confirm them this coming Sunday, so that will also be a great experience.
Yesterday for church we had Stake Conference, and it was a broadcast for like 48 stakes in the South-Eastern region of the U.S. It was really good, Elder Ballard and Bishop Edgley and Elder Gonzales and Sister Cheryl something (Primary Presidency) spoke. It was very family-themed, I enjoyed it. V, one of our investigators came to church for his first time yesterday! Also S and her dad (S isn't a member yet) came for her first time in a long while. We are going to be teaching them this week. The Lord is blessing us so much. I am so thankful for His help and guidance. I know this is His work, and that He really is a part of our lives - every one of His children. So much more than we know too.
The Ps are doing great! They had us over for lunch on Sunday, and we had a wonderful lesson while we ate, and finished up after lunch. They are on fire right now, and the Lord is really just opening their minds and hearts to the gospel. We just need to help them accept a baptismal date now =] They have committed to come to church this coming Sunday, so we are looking forward to that. We had an experience with them that just helps me realize how well the Lord knows us and our concerns: A few weeks back we went over and were teaching them, and got talking about modern-day prophets and apostles. They weren't so sure about it, and didn't really think much of it. They really wanted to know how one is called, and how we know they are Apostles, etc. Well, we bore our testimonies, but nothing too huge came from it. Well, last Thursday we were over there, and before we left I just felt like I should leave the Mormon Messages dvd with them to watch a couple, and I wrote down on a post-it the ones I felt like would help their family out right now. Well, yesterday when we showed up for lunch they were just finishing the last one on the dvd. They had watched them all! And they loved it. E couldn't stop talking about how good it was, and both he and L said they were amazed at the words of the Apostles! They could feel the power in their words, and knew they were men of God. Isn't that amazing how the Lord just took care of that concern without us even realizing what was happening? I love this work so much. It is so uplifting and exciting just to see little miracles like that on a daily basis. The wonderful thing is that we all have those miracles. Sister B, the friend who referred the S to us, gave a talk at the baptism on the Holy Ghost. She told how before she even met the S, she had just been praying that Heavenly Father would lead someone to her who is prepared to receive the gospel. She was crying as she looked at their family sitting on the bench after just getting baptized, and told them, "The Lord brought you to me. I know that you have been prepared. I am so thankful for you, you are the first that He brought to me after praying for that." It was so powerful! I know that as we seek to do good and help Heavenly Father's children, and ask for those opportunities, He will bless us with them. And as we do our part, we are blessed to see families have their lives changed for eternity.
I know this work is true! God lives and loves His children. He has done everything He can for us to help us be happy, and continues to do so today. It is up to us to accept His love, His ways, His gospel, His commandments. He only wants what is best for us =] I love you all so much and wish you the best week yet of your lives!
love, Elder Andrew Beckett
p.s. Thanks so much for the letters! From the Hansens, Mom, Allie, the Stones, and Seth, and Mindy! Sorry I'm so bad at replying... I'm hoping to write some today. Love ya!
p.p.s. Thanks as well for your emails! I love seeing those when I get on =] Just little updates to let me know how you are doing. Thanks! And Dad, as missionaries you know we are told to stay out of the politcal stuff, so we don't know/notice a whole lot, but most people like Romney here. There are campaigners (mostly members from the ward =) and signs and stickers everywhere. The members here are super supportive of him, and most other people we meet like him too! The view here is that he will be the next President. Interestingly some churches here are teaching about how this really is the end of the world because "there's going to be a Mormon President!" Ha ha we shall see I guess ;) Also... I forgot to get the gps model! Oh no :( I think it's a Tom-Tom XXL 540 or something like that.. I'll have to double check. Did you still need it or did Mom find one on a receipt or something?
p.p.p.s. I know Mom you mentioned something about a mystery 6th roomate; did they have someone sign up or are they looking for an opening? If so Elder Schmutz is the man for the spot! He will be coming in halfway through the semester, so I'm not sure how that would work. But he would love to if there's a spot. His phone # is, if there is a spot and you want to call and get that set up that would be great. If there's not room though no worries, he will get something else worked out! Thanks and love you all so much!
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