Sup kiddies.

It's hot and humid here.

Gross.

Lets get down to business.

So!

This week was intense. Like, Magnum P.I. intense. (I have no idea what I'm saying.)

Anyways!

"Carmelite Saint-Aubain, Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, amen."

(I think thats how it goes...)

We had a baptism! Carmelite is the sweetest woman in the world. She's had it rough, But we've been with her every step of the way the last like 4 weeks we've been working with her. Shes a saint. She's a Haitian woman, who grew up in Brooklyn, and she doesnt like speaking Creole with us, but she speaks it just fine. It's pretty weird haha. She's got a bunch of kids, and we're going over later today, to get all of her kids set up with baptismal dates for this weekend! Super excited. Ray a 17 year old recent convert baptized her. He's from Cuba, and the only member in his family. He's a super trooper. I love this kid! Anyways..

I've seen so many miracles out here. We just saw 1 actually. Carmelite hasn't had it easy with her finances, and we've all been praying really hard for a miracle for her. Monday at 12:30 (Just 10 minutes ago) She would have been evicted, and had to live in a shelter. But! She just called, and everything worked out. Shes good. God has blessed her. Fasting, Prayer... They work.

So, last week's email was probably hard to understand. I have a hard time describing myself, and my emotions. But, That experience was basically when I knew without a shadow of a doubt, that I've walked down a path where theres no coming back. I know that Christ lives, and that His church has truly been restored on the Earth. I know with all of me, that fact. And, because I know that. I cannot deny it. No matter what happens, It would be the biggest lie I could ever make if I said otherwise. I know that It is true. All of it. And I cannot deny it.

I don't know what else to talk about!

Hmm.

We've just spent this whole week basically working our butts off, and I'm feeling the missionary fatigue. It feels good. It feels exhausting beyond all description, but its perfect. I wouldn't have it any other way. The fruits of our efforts are the in lives we change. We are doing the Lords work, and I vowed I wouldn't ever give up. Not even if I can't take another step! I'm going to take that step, and I'm going to love every second of it.

Elder Owens is now just "Joey."

That punk.

Some members in the ward added him on Facebook this Sunday (He immediately accepted their request.) And his status was "Waking up at 10:00am... Priceless." It was hilarious, but a massive rub in our faces!

Oh well. Like I said, I like feeling exhausted. It means I'm doing my job. If I wasn't on the verge of collapsing, Im probably not working hard enough! haha

It's so freaking hot and sticky. It's nasty. The last week its progressivly gotten hotter, and more humid. My sweater is far from me now.. Every time I step outside now, my glasses instantly fog up, and I go blind. It's really frustrating. It's like nature is against me.

Elder Hoole says most missionaries here that need glasses, either don't wear um, or they wear contacts. The fogged lenses is super annoying, but I have to wear them! I'm blind both ways though, so I dont know what to do. Contacts? Those things are my greatest foe... I loathe them. But If this whole fogged lenses things keeps going I'm going to have to come up with a game plan. Any suggestions?

I don't know what else to say.>>>>W.tfa sfqwtgeuiw98yqwrfjsdgnjmfds9`104r(U%TGFMMgggklfmfd alsfhasfjpoaq

hmm.

Okay, heres something.

I'm not one to bash another's beliefs, but I heard something yesterday that's made me really sad.

As Elder Hoole and I were walking home yesterday, a woman was coming out of our neighbors house. Our neighbors kids were running around and saying their goodbyes to the woman. It appeared that the woman and our neighbor just got done with a bible study or something. The older woman turned one of the Children and said "Be obedient so that Jehova will love you!" with a cheer in her voice. (Jehova's witness..)

That hurt me. This isn't a bash, but let me say something here,

Jesus loves EVERYBODY. Even if you're disobedient! He loves you. He loves you so much he suffered for every sin, pain, and grief' you'll ever face in your life. He loves you so much it cannot be described. He suffered incomprehensible pain for all of us. He bleed at every pore for us. All so we could overcome these pains. These sins, and these griefs, and live free from them! Overcome the pain! And live in happiness! He died so that we could live again, and live in happiness for an eternity...

His love is not conditional.

And it will NEVER be.

He will love you no matter how far you stray.

His love for you is infinite.

No matter how rebelious and disobedient you might be. He loves you. He might be dissapointed because he knows you can do better. But His love is not conditional.

Ever.

Never forget that He loves you.

He loves you so much.

He's never far.

If any of you feel lost, or afraid, or as if you are alone.

He is there.

You are never alone.

If you call, he will answer.

Nan non JeziKri, amen.

I love you all.

Forgive me if this letter is lacking at all.

I love you Mom, Dad, Lisa, Kate, Friends, Families, Babies, Girls, Kittens, and Zombies.

I love you all so much.

I really hope to hear from you all soon.

Steph!

You sould Mail me some of the pictures you email me every week xD

Shane & Tracy! I lost your address...

P.S.!

Shane! I found a CD at my apartment with 1 of your Christmas solos. The 1 with the penny whistle! (I think thats the name of the instrument...)

Anyways...

I'm thinkin you should burn me a CD of all your Motab solos and mail it to me for Christmas! xD I'd love it.

Christmas Conference this Thursday! Way excited to see all the missionaries in the mission.

P.S.  The new Elder that replaced Elder Owens is named Elder Gust! He's a Cowboy from St.George!

Theres now 4 Missionaries from St.George in this mission.

St.Geezy Elders are the best.

Send me stuff!

Cya!

Elder Owens last district training meeting.

T.P'd by the Sisters...

Elder Samuelian

I'm paranoid about my bike being stolen...

It's been attempted once or twice already.

My front flashlight was stolen too.

So, I'm getting intense with it.

 Soup,

If you were worried about not getting a letter yesterday, don't worry! I'm not dead. We had whats called a "Pros-Monday." Since Transfers are tomorrow, we have our P-day moved to Tuesday. So, relax. I hope none of you had a melt down or anything haha xD

Okay!!

So,

Cuties.

Lets get down to business.

This week was the week of Contrast.

It was an incredible week as always. But it's also had is complete opposites. This week I had my 6 weeks of newbie skills put to the test. We had our usual weekly exchange with the North Miami Beach Elders. This time though, I wasn't going with Elder Benitez in their Area. Elder Samuelian was coming down to mine.

So!

That means I was taking charge of the Miami Shores Creole area for a day. That was a pretty intense thought to be honest. But I was so excited to get out there, and take charge of my turf!

Elder S, and I had some awesome companionship studies together. I learned a ton. Set goals, and made some awesome plans. (I'm going to be fluent by the end of this next transfer! Don't laugh. I got this. haha)

So! This was where the opposites come in.

Elder S and I had the BEST day on Friday. Elder Hoole who was with Elder Benitez, admitted to having the worst day ever haha.

Elder S and I went to iHop. Elder Hoole and Benitez went to Denny's.

iHop was the most incredible food ever. Elder S and I had been fasting for his investigator Corolla to get permission to be baptized. We walked to iHop to break the fast while our car was in the shop. I am fully converted from Denny's to iHop now. Holy cow. The Cinna-bon french toast made me weep as I ate it. (I always cry when I eat good food. I'ts weird.)

P.S. Kelsee, Im sure you're happy with that news haha!

So! iHop was great!

While we were there we called Elder Hoole and Benitez, who had just eaten at Denny's

Elder Hoole threw up.

That just kind sets the mood for the rest of their day haha..

Elder S. and I went Harvesting. We made a goal of blessing 8 people's homes. We made that goal in about an hour. Record time. We got 3 new investigators, and return appointments. All from 1 complex too.

We taught Don, and Carmelita together. Don is the most incredible investigator I've had so far! He's SO prepared. He hasnt had a single problem with anything. He say's he loves us for coming over. He's definitely getting baptized this Sunday haha!

So, my day was awesome.

Elder Hoole and Benitez had a really rough day. And we had the best day ever. It was really sad haha.

Corolla was able to get permission to be baptized! I told you all last time I wouldn't rest until that happened haha. She was SO prepared! After Elder S and I had prayed all week, and fasted, she finally got permission to be baptized!! I was so excited and happy for everybody haha

The Sisters baptized a man named Gene last Sunday too. He had had a stroke earlier this year, and his entire left side has collapsed. It took 3 guys to get him into the font, and 2 to baptize him. It was very interesting, but sweet to see, the faith this man had. I was asked to give the talk on Baptism and the Holy Ghost 2 minutes before he was to be baptized... So, that was really sudden haha. I hope it was inspiring though!

All the Elders are setting up Elder S's Tom tom.

They have SO MANY AWESOME VOICES! haha

Anyways...

Like I said before, my days are forever long, and the weeks even longer. Though it's only been a short time.

So, everything blends together.

I don't remember everything that went on in my week! It's like a whole year passes by in a week haha.

I always seem to remember after I finish emailing, what exactly I wanted to say in the Email... It's so frustrating.

Elder Owens goes home tomorrow, super sad about it.

How dare he leave!

Go see his his farewell!

December 16th at 12pm at the chapel across the street from the Jr. High

I did something that really made an impact on my life this week.

I studied my Patriarical blessing deeply this week, each personal study time. I don't think I've ever received personal revelation more powerfully, freely, and quickly before. I took each paragraph, and broke it down. I would first read through each sentence, and analyze what it was saying. I'd make a quick analysis in my notebook as to what struck me, what I thought it was telling me, and how I felt. Then, I studied it more intensely. I prayed as I went, and re-read the same sentence over and over again if I had to. I wanted to know exactly what this was telling me. I would then put everything into a Conclusion, and sum it all up. After I had done that, I made a specific goal for each paragraph. I've never felt more comfort, or in tune with the spirit in my life. I suggest each of you study your patriarical blessing. You don't have to use the same layout as me, but If you do something similar, with an idea as to what you want to accomplish after studying it, It will be so much more meaningful to you, then a nice little note of comfort.

Analysis

Conclusion

Goals.

Trust me.

So, I just would like to tell everybody reading this... I know that God lives.

That His Son, Jesus Christ, lived and died for us, and He continues to live on today.

I know that the Holy Priesthood has been restored.

My letters home have talked SO much about how much I love the priesthood. And getting the chance to use it every single day.

I cannot express to you, how much my faith, and knowing of the reality of the Power of the Priesthood has increased since being here.

It has grown skyscrapers high, and continued to grow.

The first time I gained a real testimony, and real... dedication, to honoring, and keeping myself completely worthy, and ready at any moment to use it, and to help another without any exception.

Was after the death of Brother George in the Alpine ward.

As a priest, being able to bless the sacrament was the most incredible thing I had ever done. I never felt more happy in my life, then when I had the opportunity to bless it. I felt closer to heaven then ever before as I knelt, and blessed the water and bread. In remembrance of Him, who died for us.

I never missed a chance to go to the sick in the ward, and bless the Sacrament for them.

I understood why It was important to take the Sacrament. But I think I only understood the mechanical part of it. "Every Sunday, you take it, and you remember Christ, and feel better."

I went to his home, and we found him in his bed.

I had never been in this situation before. I was watching a man in his final moments.

He had family, and friends around him.

The spirit in the room was somber.

We blessed the water and bread, and he struggled to take it.

But, he took it.

I had tears in my eyes, and fought back from losing composure.

I had never felt the spirit more powerfully in my heart.

It seemed to have burnt a hole straight through me.

I was so privileged, an honor.. to bless the bread and water for a man, that was sick, and dying.

He died some short 48 hours later.

When I found out, again I was overcome.

It was like the spirit had blasted a hole in my very being. I had fire coursing through me. I shook with tears streaming down my face. Crying more powerfully then I had ever cried in my life.

The Spirit testified to me so strongly it was undeniable. God lived. Christ lived. His Church was restored. His Gospel is true. His Atonement saves us. He Died for all of us. All of us. All of our pain, all of our sins, all of our sufferings and our sicknesses. He died to save us all. His power is here on Earth. The power of the priesthood is more real and tangible then air we breathe. And somehow, He, Our Father in Heaven, has so much love, faith, and trust in me. To have allowed me to be ordained to the office of a priest. And hold His great, Priesthood keys. 

I was just a boy.

Simple, and foolish.

But as young, simple and foolish as I was.

I was ordained with this authority. To be able to bless this man in his last moments on this Earth.

I saw majesty  as we saw, and blessed Brother George laying on  his death bed.

I saw a man that honored his priesthood. I saw a man that had such great faith, and love of his Brother Jesus Christ. That in his last moments on Earth, he would take the Sacrament.

I saw a man of the Priesthood.

The kind of man I should be.

That experience with him changed me.

It gave me firm believe.

And helped me to build my foundation on Christ.

I vowed.

I vowed with all of me.

That I would honor, and respect my Priesthood until the end of Time.

That I would Never forget my Savior.

And my responsibility to others in this life.

I vowed to serve my Lord, my God, in every aspect of my life, to whatever office, or position I am called. No matter how small. I vowed to follow Christ all the days of my life. And NEVER give up.

I will be the kind of man, that takes the sacrament in my final moments.

And I will live my life in the service of others, as long as I am able.

I will never give up.

I have a great work to do.

I love this Mission.

I love Brother George for being the kind of man he was, to teach me.

I love my Brother Jesus Christ, and His Atonement.

I love my God. 

And I love you all.

I love you all so much.

Forgive me if this experience was hard to understand.

This is one of my most sacred experiences in my life. And I felt it necessary to share at this time.

This was the moment that shook me to the core, and made me decide for myself. Who to follow in life.

It was a changing moment in my life.

And I will Never, forget it.

I love you all.

Goodbye.

Goodnight.

I know this work is True.

Nan non, JeziKri, amen.

Corolla got baptized!!