Members are the KEY!

Well hello! 

Spring is starting to creep in, and its getting a little more humid but the work is really starting to pick up! We have so many members who are really working so hard! I have come to realize how SMALL my part is in the work of salvation. It is honestly so small and yet I feel like I am growing the most. 

Well, Katelyn was baptized on Wednesday! It was perfect! So many people from the ward came and supported her. I think part of the reason for the support was throughout her teaching process we taught her in a different members home so, each of these families felt connected and part of her conversion. They had a part in helping her join the fold. And Elder Spach and I did not have any part in the Program, all the prayers, songs, witnesses, baptism, and confirmation was done by a ward member. This is exactly how it should work. I invite you to become involved in the missionaries work.  

Elder Bednar said in his last conference address "these remarkable men and women (meaning missionaries) help the members of our Church fulfill the divinely appointed and indicidual responsibility each of us has to proclaim the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ"

So we missionaries are here to help. 

Elder Zwick of the Seventy lead our Mission Leadership Council and let me just tell you this man is one of the top 10 best people I have ever met. Seriously. He and President Cusick have been great friends so you could just feel the love in the room. He taught us a lot about leadership in our mission and ways to improve it, but the majority of it, and the majority of his messages to us were being truly converted the GOSPEL! Not just a missionary but being a strong member, and leader throughout our lives. The Apostles are very concerned with the missionaries becoming who they need to be. Elder Bednar said we are not just human beings, we are" human becomings".

Tuesday night we got a text randomly from one of the YM in the ward he said his girlfriend wants to be taught the first lesson tomorrow at his house at 7. So we gladly agreed. Seemed to be a good use of our time.:) 

Well, we got there and She finally opened up all of her questions. She has been resisting the church so much because of how much she has heard but she had an expereince that led her to ask for a lesson with us. Needless to say, we were very excited to teach her. She was very nervous and had many questions, but so did we. My favorite section of PMG is asking inspired questions, which Elder Zwick talked a lot about as well. So we asked about what she believed and she enjoyed it. She felt comfortable enough to ask some of the hard questions she has had, like why the book of mormon has been changed  even though its supposed to be the most true book. And about if she can be baptized even though she has two earrings haha. But the coolest part was this. We asked her the Golden 3 questions from the plan of salvation. Where did you come from, why are you here, and where are you going? and she said... "I have no idea", and I said "well, i am about to tell you exactly where you were, and why you are here... you ready?" and then the spirit litereally filled the room. I explained that she was with her loving father in heaven, and that she CHOSE to come down here and follow him. As we said this tears filled her eyes, and I asked how she felt and she just said "warm". You could just see it in her eyes. We meet with her wednesday again, but she has already been discussing baptism with her bf. Her name is Jessica. Moments like these are honestly the reason I am on a mission.  

We have a young women who is fellowshipping and encouraging some of the other non member youth to get baptized, and we just had lunch with a ysa girl and her friend who came to church. We have a lesson on thursday with a family and their friends from medical school. The fire has started! And it is not burning out any time soon!

Elder Zwick hosted all the members of the ward councils in the south three stakes of our mission and trained them all on how to effectively improve missionary work in the ward and stake. He said at all times, members of the ward council should be able to answer these four questions each week

1 What are the names of the progressing investigators coming to church?

2 What are the names of the progressing investigators with baptismal dates?

3 What are the names of the members working closely with each Progressing investigator?

4 WHO is going to be taught in YOUR home this week?

If you answer these 4 questions each week, the work will hasten. I have a testimony of Members who are involved. I want to help them. Elder Zwick shared with us so many incredible expereinces where he just was fearless. He did not care the circumstance, he just shares the gospel. Its who he is. And It is who I am. 

I have entered a higher level of dedication. I have realized how deep I have covenanted with God. I have signed my soul to Him and thank goodness for that! 

1 Corinthians 3:3 "...ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart."

The Doctrine of Christ is written on the fleshy tables of my heart. And it will never be erased.

I know God lives, and this work will go forward. Please join us!

Be not afraid;Only Believe

Elder Nelson

Jia sent this picture to Elder Nelson after having done baptism's for the dead.  

She is moving right along and progressing very well in the gospel.

She is a Rock Star!!