Monroe-Week 14

Justin is still serving in Monroe and just as I sat down to update this blog, Sister Wright who is taking great care of Justin sent us a picture of him burning his tie for his six months.  I guess it is a little late but it is hard to believe that he has been gone for 8 months now.  The work is going great and they are hoping to have some investigators ready for baptism in  the next couple of weeks.  He says the weather is cold, not like our cold but it pierces you right to the very core.  He included his small miracle for the week.....We were teaching one of our investigators this week and she wanted to read out of the Book of Mormon, so she opened it up and picked the chapter, so she asked us what does this chapter talk about?  So we explained and it was crazy because her reaction told me that in that chapter was exactly what she needed to hear...so it strengthened my testimony on revelation through the scriptures.  To be able to see it happen in others lives it just....wow leaves me speechless.

Week 13

Justin is serving in Monroe and was having a good week.  He is getting along with his companion and they are working hard.  He is getting over a cold and says he is feeling more like himself.  He shared with us his small miracle for the week......On Fast Sunday I fast for  more team ups for our ward, because we don't have a car and we have a lot of gators, and the Lord answered that prayer and a bunch of people signed up, it was amazing to see how much the Lord loves and blesses us.  And how aware he is of us.  I think that is what I have learned the most on my mission, is really who I am and why I am here and how important the people of Georgia are to our Father in Heaven and how much I actually care about these people.  I care so much about their salvation and I don't even know them.  It reminds me of the story of Enos a little bit, I just have that desisre to help them come closer.  He closed his email this week with his testimony.....I know that God is our Father in heaven and that he loves us.  I know that Jesus is the Christ and that he suffered for our sins, that through him we might be saved.  I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God.  I recently finished it again and I don't have a doubt in my mind that it was true.  I know that Joseph Smith was called of God. And that families can be together forever...I know that I will see Grandma again and that makes this world worthwhile...having that knowledge.  I know that one day I will see my Heavenly Father and I pray that when that day comes that he will rejoice in what I've done in this life.  In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

It is awesome to see the growth in Justin and to know that he is doing his best.

Monroe-Week 12

Transfers were this week for Justin and he is going to be spending more time in Monroe with his new companion.  He was  very excited about that.  He attended Stake conference this past week and it was a broadcast to all of the southeastern states from Salt Lake by Elder Ballard.  Justin says he laid down the law about member missionary work.  It is what they needed to hear.  He issued a challenge to us to pray as a family for missionary opportunities so that we can share the gospel with others.  Justin has been battling a cold because the weather has been cold, then hot and then cold again.  He says that even though he misses family and being at home he know that he is where he is suppose to be right now and that he is blessing because of the work he is doing.  He says he is trying to live by a motto that one of the brethern in his area gave them...."This too shall pass."  He says it applies to every situation whether it is pouring rain, or sunny and beautiful, or we are at our lowest point in life or our highest point in life...it will pass.  He also shared his miracle for the week with us....When I got into this area we had like two investigators...but as we remained prayerful the Lord has blessed us.  This week I was praying so hard to find new investigators and the Lord answered that prayer....it reminded me of the scriptures in Hebrews about pouring out blessings that we won't have room to receive them.  We picked up 8 new investigators this week and it just strengthened my testimony in the Lord and how he is aware of all of us.  The Lord is going to spread his gospel whether it be through his missionaries of through the members.  So they are teaching a lot of new investigators.