We
had two exchanges this past week, and they both went very well! I was
with Elder Hatch and Elder Harris for the exchanges. Elder Hatch is
brand new as of a few weeks ago, and during our exchange we planned to
talk with everyone we could! We were able to meet a couple as they were
choosing a paint color for the outside of their house. As we talked,
they asked for our opinions on a color we like. Of course we jumped all
over that!! We had an amazing conversation that lead to us inviting
them to read from The Book Of Mormon. They said they would, so we are
praying they do! On my exchange with Elder Harris, we emphasized
finding goals for each specific finding activity. We forgot to set them
during daily planning, so after knocking five or six doors during
Tracting (with no answers), we decided to set these goals. For the 35
or so minutes we had left of Tracting, we set a goal to hand out a copy
of The Book Of Mormon. After we set this goal, we saw some people
loading up a Uhaul. We thought this was the perfect opportunity to meet
our goal! We helped them, but ultimately they weren’t interested. We
continued to tract, and the first house we knocked after setting our
goal, we ran into a man. We I introduced ourselves and he said he was
busy and didn’t have time. He was about to close the door when we asked
if he would accept the copy of The Book Of Mormon to read on his own
time. His countenance changed and he, a little surprisingly, said “yes,
I would really like a copy.” We were able to have a five minute
conversation about how The Book Of Mormon will bless his life. We gave
him our number and invited him to contact us if he had any further
questions. It was amazing to see Heavenly Father immediately help us
fulfill our goal. Goal setting brings forth miracles!!
Zone Conference was awesome this week! We had amazing instruction from
President and Sister McMurray, the Assistants, and our mission
counselor, Brother Jacobs. The topic of the meeting was “I can do hard
things!” Brother Jacobs truly inspired me. He explained how he has a
condition that should have killed him in his teenage years, but his
parents worked with him and never lost hope that he would be healthy one
day! Now he is a dad, returned missionary, and successful in his line
of work, and he is healthy! He told us how it was never easy, but as he
worked hard he slowly saw progress. He is proof that as you trust in
our Savior Jesus Christ, you can get through any trial! As he spoke,
the words of Elder Holland came to mind when he was speaking about the
Atonement. He said life isn’t easy, because Salvation is not a cheap
experience. How would we expect it to be easy if it wasn’t easy for
Him! When I thought of this it was comforting to know that Jesus Christ
knows everything we have gone through, and everything we will go
through. It reminds me of this scripture in Alma 7:11-13,
11
And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations
of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he
will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
12
And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death
which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that
his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he
may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to
their infirmities.
13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things;
nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he
might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their
transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now
behold, this is the testimony which is in me.
Always remember that there is always someone who knows how you
feel. You are never alone! Along with Him, there are those around you
that you can rely on, such as families! I’m grateful for my family
especially, thanks for all you do fam :)
General Conference was awesome as I said before! I think my favorite
talk was President Uchtdorf’s from the Priesthood Session. If you
didn’t get a chance to listen to that one, I would encourage you to do
so! Honestly, I loved all the talks, but you always have to have a
favorite ;). It was sad to hear that Elder Robert D. Hales has passed
away, but what an amazing apostle he was! He served the Lord with all
of his heart, and I’m grateful for his ministry. We were able to watch
three of the four sessions at the Weber’s house! They are one of my
most favorite families here in Cheyenne. When I am with them a I feel
at home! They fed us breakfast both days, and took us to Texas
Roadhouse for lunch on Saturday.
After the priesthood session, Brother Weber took us to Culver’s with
his son Josh the man! Josh is Randon’s age, so we get along pretty good
:). It was so amazing to watch it in their home, and be with an amazing
family for General Conference! I felt a little touch of home when I
was there! Tender Mercies are real!
We had two investigators watch Conference! Janet of course, and a man
named Travis. Janet watched almost all the sessions. She said she felt
uplifted, but she is still struggling to progress. We watched the last
session with her on Sunday,
and we explained to her that if she wouldn’t come to church, and
wouldn’t keep commitments, we had to stop meeting with her. We came up
with the decision to not meet with her for a week, and see if she saw a
difference. We will not be in touch with her until next week. We are
praying she will notice a difference, and it will make her have the
desire to come fully unto Jesus Christ and His Restored Church! Travis
is a friend of some members in our ward. He is going through some
really hard times right now, and reached out to the friend in our ward.
He has been to church three times, and we were finally able to connect
for a lesson with him after the Saturday
Afternoon session. (He watched all of the sessions of a General
Conference with his friend in our ward.) We got to know him a little
better and taught him the Restoration Of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He
understood the lesson very well! At the end, we invited him to be
baptized on October 14th,
and he said yes! We invited him to pray to know if that was the date
he should be baptized, and we also invited him to read and pray to know
if The Book Of Mormon is true. The Spirit was so strong throughout the
lesson, especially when we talked about the First Vision and the
invitation to be baptized! It was an amazing lesson! We met again
after the Sunday
Morning session, and taught him The Plan of Salvation. He understood
that lesson very well, and we followed up with him from the day before.
Travis prayed about October 14th
and felt good about it! He also read from The Book Of Mormon. How
amazing! We invited him to pray and ask if The Plan of Salvation is
true. Travis is already progressing toward baptism, we are so excited
for him! We are meeting with him again on Wednesday! It is honestly the best to see the gospel truly bless the lives of those we teach, it is the most amazing thing to see!
Sorry this is a bit long...... but now you get the gist of my
week! I hope you all remember to heed upon Elder Neil L. Anderson’s
advice to study the words of the prophets and apostles from General
Conference often. There were so many amazing talks, I am definitely
planning on reviewing them over the next couple weeks! I definitely
missed some good stuff, and I’m excited to review them! I hope you guys
have a fantastic week! Love you!
Love
Elder Bailey
Pics:
1. Zone Conference!
2. Snowed in for the first time yesterday! Haha crazy!
3. Temple today
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