James letter 10-17-11

This week in the wonderful world of Oregon....

There were blue skies everyday but two, it was a pleasant and surprising change from what it was last week. This place really is beautiful when you have a blue sky to accompany the green.

I have big news. Last thursday we taught Austin. I don't remember if I told you about him or not, but he is a 14 year old we have been teaching. He has been a little flakey, but we taught a lesson on the commandments and the sabbath, and he has been to church the last two weeks. Thursday when we taught him we had a really great lesson about the gospel, and the things we need to do in in. For more references see article of faith 4. At the end of the lesson I invited him to be baptized and, wait for it, he said yes! It was so cool. That friday we took him to a baptisimal service so he could see what baptism was and we could answer questions. He is really excited about it. He keeps telling everyone that he is going to be baptized on the 29th. I told President Morby, and he said that is was amazing to see me get a baptism after two weeks, and that he knows some who have been almost a year without one. I know its not about the number, but its comforting to know that something we are doing is right.

I have been seriously studying the Book of Mormon. I have been writing down thoughts, and ways to apply the scriptures to myself, my companion, and my investigators. It has been incredible to see just how much there really is in the scriptures that you can apply to yourself. I would encourage you to do the same with your scripture study. There is always something we can get out of the scriptures, even if its just reasons to obey the Lord. Write down spiritual impressions. If you do you will get more and more, because the Lord knows you are listening.

Saturday we went on a blitz with the spanish elders. That is when you each take a different companion and tract an entire place. We did an entire appartment complex, and after knocking on at least ten doors that smelled of marijuana we got five potential investigators. So I would consider that a success. We also gave away three Book of Mormons that day.

I'm glad you are giving out my address. I havn't had any mail since I left. It's been kind of depressing. The work is good. The scriptures are awesome. And remember: Faith is believing that something will bless you even if you don't know how.

The commandments are given for a reason, they will always benifit us. Even if we can't see past the mark we can always be sure that the Lord will look after us. I love you guys. I love this work. And above all I love the Lord.