Roswell-Week 15

Elder Phillips is still serving in the Roswell area and loving it.  He says he is starting to get the hang of being a missionary, it is hard work but the ward supports them alot.  The little kids look up to them and he says it is an amazing feeling.  Justin also had his first baptism last Saturday (October 23) and this is what he had to say about that.....my week has been great, the work is going great.  Our baptism happened on Saturday, it was an amazing service, I have never felt the spirit on my mission as strong as I did when I put her in the water and brought her back out of the water.  She was truly ready to be baptized, she didn't have a single doubt in her mind.  I love serving the Lord and I know that he performs miracles everyday.  Last Saturday as I was getting dressed for the baptism I was praying to my Heavenly Father to help me do the ordinance right so that she could have the best possible experience.  After my prayer, I felt the same...nothing...changed so I took a leap of faith and just went and did it...hoping that God would help me and he did of course and the spirit was so strong.  That is my big miracle for this week.

He included a picture this week of his baptism and we were noticing that his companion is taller than Justin and we thought Justin was tall.

Justin First Baptism-October 23, 2011

Roswell-Week 14

Justin is still serving the Roswell, Georgia area. We received an email from Justin but also received a tape from him as well.  He sounds great.  His baptism that was suppose to happen last weekend did not happen but he is hoping that it will happen this weekend (October 29).  He says he is doing his best and that the Lord is blessing him.  The work is moving forward.  Our hot sauce investigator went to Stake conference with us and they have taught her two lessons so far.  The weather is cool and I love the fall colors.  While they were at Popeye's a lady asked them out of the blue who did Jesus visit in the America's and we shared a little with her and now we are going to stop by to share more.  I think it is just an excuse to go and eat at Popeye's.  I know that God answers our prayers, he does that for me everyday and I am grateful to have the opportunity to serve him for two whole years.

It is so good to know that he is being taken care of there and that he is enjoying himself.  He did include some pictures this week.

Justin eating a habenero (2nd hottest pepper)

Hmmm.....close enough

Roswell-Week 13

Justin stared his email this week with his testimony of the Plan of Salvation and included a special message to his future sister in law, Monica, who has had some struggles lately.  He says his week has been good.  It is getting cooler and wet in Georgia now.  He tells about an experience with the Spanish missionaries......I ate a Jalopenio pepper yesterday with the Spanish Elders, apparently it is the second hottest pepper in the world, yeah...I recommend not eating one.  I drank so much milk after."

"The work is moving forward.  Elder King and I are excited for one of our investigators who is getting baptized on Saturday."  We are very excited for Justin and his companion.  They picked up a new investigator this week.  She is only 16 years old but she is an elect.  They met her in their apartment complex when the traded a Book of Mormon for some hot sauce and now she wants them to come back.  He has experienced Cajun cooking and says he loves southern food.

"Sunday was a tough day and I really missed ya'll (yes he really wrote ya'll) but I know that this is where I need to be and that God has a plan for each and every one of his children.  I am here to help them come back to his fold."

Roswell-Week 12

Michael and I were on vacation last week and so I didn't get a chance to update Justin's blog so I am going to do a two for one this week.

Justin is still serving in Roswell but he is with a new companion.  His name is Elder King and he is from Mesa, Arizona. Justin says the work is moving forward and they are seeing their success. 

"Elder King and I were out street contacting the other day and we ran into this kid whose car broke down...we walked up and started sharing the gospel.  He was Catholic but very open to other ideas.  His dad showed up right after we gave him the Book of Mormon.  His dad climbed in his car and turned the key and it turned right on.  I know that God is in this work.  I know that there are people that Elder King and I need to help come closer to Christ.  This was my small miracle that the Lord blessed us with this week.  I am continuing to do my best and Trust that the Lord will do the rest."

It looks like Justin will be staying in the Roswell area for at least the next six weeks which, is when transfers are again.  We continue to see incredible growth in Justin and are excited to see and hear about all the changes in him.