March 31, 2014

This week we taught a guy from Trinidad named Martin. Elder Oyler and I tracted into him like 2 months ago. We have been calling him occasionally trying to set up appointments and we finally had a lesson! He is almost 60 and has lived here for almost 40 years. When we first started teaching him, he made sure to tell us that he wants to hear what we have to say, but that he isn't going to change churches. He attends a Pentecostal church in Alexandria and sings in the choir. At the beginning of the lesson he was slouched in his chair and not really focused, but by the end he was leaning forward and listening closely! It was really cool to see the spirit work in him and change him right there in the lesson. He got really interested when I shared the account of The First Vision. He committed to reading and praying about the Book of Mormon. He is also really interested in coming to our church service. I’m not saying he is ready to be baptized, but the spirit definitely touched his heart. We still have some work to do with him.

Elder Miles

Everyone should try thinking about our message from another person’s point of view. Most people are living comfortable lives, attending church occasionally, and reading their Bibles. Then we come along claiming that God has called Prophets today and that the same church that Christ organized is on the earth. We tell them God has revealed new scripture and we teach them truths about the Plan of Salvation that they've never heard before. No wonder lots of people think we are crazy and others are really interested in hearing it. It is huge news! I know it is true and I am glad that I have been blessed with the gospel in my life. Sharing what I know with others is awesome and it has strengthened my own testimony so much.

It has been really nice using our iPads in lessons to show videos and pictures. During a lesson with Ian the other day we showed him a diagram of the plan of salvation and he loved it! It really helped him to make a visual picture of what we have been teaching him. We have also showed Mormon Messages to less active members and to Zohra. It can really bring the spirit into a lesson when we watch something. After the lesson this was Ian's prayer "Dear Heavenly Father, bless us that we will be able to make it to the Celestial Kingdom. In the name of Jesus Christ. Hallelujah, Amen." I love teaching Ian (haha). He is slowing making progress and really wants to be baptized!

The weather is warming up and I really excited about that! I look forward to the coming weeks! This past week was a little difficult with the weather because it rained for several days and it was pretty cold. This upcoming week it will get up into the 70s and I am excited to wear short sleeves again! The last 9 months have gone really fast and it’s weird to think I am one of the more experienced missionaries now.

Love,

Elder Miles