Hey everybody,
Well it has been a great week. to start out with I would just like to recognize my great parents for the love that they have shown to me in the form of a can of Nallys chili. All I need are some nice hot dogs and we would be reliving September of 2012, if only for one night. (shout out to Team Ramrod).
This week was a vary good but also vary humbling week. The peolpe here are just too good. We had some really powerful lessons with a couple of people. One was on Tuesday. we taugth the message of the restoration to an older guy named Joseph. I have taught the restoration hundreds of times but this time it was different. It was so clear that it was impossible to deny the spirit that was felt by everyone. Joseph is stubborn so it is hard to get him to act on the but even he said that he felt it was true.
Friday was my birthday and it was one to remember. A few of the recent converts and investigators that we have been teaching thew a nice "surprise" party for me.
They had food and even gave me a gift. The two things that really got to me were these; one, I had only known these people for 9 days and they were willing to make me feel so welcome and give me this blessing when they don't ever really celebrate their own birthdays.
Two, They even got me a gift. Most of those that live here, these included, have next to nothing, Yet they were willing to give to me still. It was humbling to see the goodness of the hearts of everybody here. Here I am knowing I'm called to serve them and they insist on serving me.
Saturday we ended with a lesson with a guy named Derrick. We taught him the Plan of Salvation and in the end I spaced (stupor of thought maybe) that he has denied baptism a few times already, and I invited him to baptism. He said that he has already been baptized. Quickly a thought popped into my head of something Elder Bokwe shared with me a few days ago. A book he had said that when this happened to another guy he asked if the person would be baptized if they had not been baptized before. There was more that I had forgotten but I still decided to ask that question and hope it would work out for the best. After I asked it reminded Elder Bokwe and he remembered the rest. He asked Derrick to pray and ask God if Baptism was what God wanted him to do. As we knelt in prayer Derrick was a little hesitant but after an example or prayer from both Elder Bokwe and I he started to speak to our Heavenly Father. The spirit filled the room as soon as he started praying. At the end we asked him what he felt God wanted him to do. All Derrick said in response was, "Be baptized." That is the first time that I can remember that someone has received an answer through prayer as I was there. It was a huge testimony builder.
That night as we were heading to bed we got a call from Sister Oliver. She told us that an investigator who has been fighting sickness for many years had passed away. We were invited to his funeral on Sunday. As we were there they asked me to say a few words. Since I had never really met him I wasn't sure how it would go. As I stood to speak a profound love for Herbert came over me. Herbert was there with us still. With no doubt in my mind I spoke about the atonement of Christ and how its part of God's plan that we leave this life. I testified that Herbert new he was cleansed through the blood of Christ. I testify now that the Plan of Salvation is God's plan. I know that this work is the work of God. I know that Joseph Smith is called of God and the message of the Restoration is God's message.
I love you all and hope that you have a good week.
Elder E.E. Buyers
