It's been a great week! Ups and downs, learning experiences, and manifestations of the Spirit. I'm still introducing Elder Baker to the ward one by one. Church was cancelled last week for the snow, so he didn't get to meet anyone. Also, missing church is really hard for me now. I need the boost. So we keep finding new people to teach. But not many are ready to listen right now. We've taught more first lessons this week than any of my previous weeks. We also had a baptism planned for Saturday, but I'll get to that in a minute. Zone conference was great! Some think it's tough to sit in meetings for hours but I learn so much and I definitely feel the Spirit. Of course, there are always tings to change after conferences, thing to improve on. That's why we have them. Elder Baker gave his first baptismal interview Wednesday to an investigator of the sisters. He was nervous but did great (I suppose). Thursday we helped a ward member move out. We didn't realize it at at the time that they were the ones leaving, and we already miss them. They were good friends to our investigators. Friday we got back into our routine with some service a ta local food pantry. They had a huge delivery come in, so that's where we helped out this time. We have been working with a 13-year-old youth to get him ready to be baptized. But Friday, he told us he's not sure he wants to be baptized, and that he wants to talk to his parents about it. So we're backing off, trying not to pressure, but still praying he'll come around. So Friday night. Our investigator we had planned to baptize on Saturday tells us something very similar to the youth's hesitancy, that he wants to wait a little and tell his family about his decision, and that he didn't want us to come over. This is the day before his baptism, the biggest step he'll ever take toward Christ. We tried all night to find him, checking places he might have gone, and finally found him at home of all places. We asked him to write down the spiritual experiences he has had and encouraged him as much as we could to follow through on his commitment, and to call us in the morning. We felt good about it. So Saturday comes, and no call. So we drop by after some morning meetings. no answer. Can't find him, he doesn't want to talk. So we keep hoping he'll show up to the service, if for nothing more than to see the other baptism that night. We helped plan and set up the baptism, because we thought we would have a big part in it, so we were pretty busy Saturday getting things ready. Finally an hour before the service his wife texts us and says he's not ready. Heartbreak. But we know he has to want it, he has to have the faith to overcome his fears. So we'll work on it. The Sabbath was amazing. I don't realize how much it helps until I miss it for some reason. I had the opportunity to help a primary class for a few minutes by acting, that's right, acting as King Benjamin. I prayed for the strength to be able to fulfill my duty, and the Lord helped me out. It seems small, but I felt like I needed a little help. And it was worth it. Immediately after I left the classroom, a visiting member and her non-member boyfriend walked in and asked where to find Gospel Principles, which was exactly where we were headed! A little miracle, but everything counts. We were able to teach them after Sacrament. Oh and Saturday right after the baptism we looked up a referral from the sisters, and he was completely prepared! He's ready to do as God asks him, he didn't even think he needed a spiritual confirmation of what we taught, he just said he knows God sent us and that it's true! So hopefully we'll be having his baptism soon too. Sunday was such a beautiful day! 60 and clear skies, we drove with the windows down and didn't bring jackets with us. Even the doors slammed in our faces didn't dim my spirit. i knew I was doing what I was supposed to be doing. How did I know? Because I could feel the Spirit working in and through me. It's only been coming more and more frequently. And it's great. Of course, I still have things to learn, things I can do better, but I know I'm headed in the right direction. The proof comes after we started walking. That's called faith. Start walking, then you can see what's around the bend, the light gets a little brighter. I know Jesus and Heavenly Father live! I know they're doing everything they can to help us grow and to prepare us to return to them. I'm so thankful for the Plan of Happiness. Keep pushing forward, they are pulling with you!
Love,
Elder Hunt
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