Kinfolk,
Winter has arrived in Utah, I'm
sure glad I'm not there. It has been pretty cold in Round Rock this week
though, like 30's or 40's. It did not snow though, so that is good! I
finally had to dig through my suitcases and pull out my jackets and
sweaters from last winter. That was a weird experience. I couldn't
believe it had been a year since I was in Heritage ward teaching Dion,
and Manuel (PT) and all the other great people there. This year flew by!
A Pair Of Thermals:
A
week ago, Monday, we had a return appointment with a man we talked to a
few days previous. We met him when we was walking outside of his house
about yo get in his car. We were on the other side of the road, but
started talking to to him and went over to introduce ourselves. He
mentioned how he grew up Jehovah's Witness, but never actually believed
it. He is 38 years old and has been looking for truth in religions for
most of his life. When we told him what we do, he invited us back for
Monday evening,
We knocked on the door, and he answered
the door in nothing but a pair of thermals and working boots. He seemed
quite comfortable, even though we were in a shirt and tie. This man is
African American, probably about 6'3'' and looks like he works out quite
a bit. He has one extremely lazy eye and a nice set of dreadlocks.
The
lesson went very well. He understood everything we taught and was eager
to read from the Book Of Mormon. He wanted to come to Church on Sunday
but didn't make it because his flight got in later than he though. We
have another lesson with him later this evening.
I'm curious to see if he is in his typical thermal and boots combination.
My Boy, Malik:
Malik
is getting baptized this Saturday. It will be the fastest baptism I
have ever been a part of, or even heard in this mission. From the first
time we taught him until his baptism is 11 days.
We
taught him for the first time this past Tuesday. The Spirit was so
strong in the lesson, and we was loving everything we were saying! A few
days after the lesson he told us that when we told him the "First
Vision", he felt The Spirit stronger than he has ever felt it in his
life. He knew that what he felt was The Spirit, and that Joseph Smith a
true prophet of God.
I could tell that he was ready for
baptism, by all the answers he was giving throughout the lesson. So at
the end I said, "Malik, when do you want to be baptized?" ,"As soon as
possible" ,"Okay, November 22", "Okay".
hahahaha it was so awesome!
This
week we taught Malik: The Restoration, The Plan Of Salvation, The
Gospel of Jesus Christ, The Law of Chastity, Word Of Wisdom, Law of
Tithing, and the 10 commandments.
I have never met someone
so prepared to receive the gospel before. He is so full of faith, and
is an inspiration to the entire ward.
After we taught him the Plan Of Salvation (which was so powerful!!), Elder Nichols and I were back at our apartment planning for the next day when he sent us a text... I'll send you the picture I took of the text.
Malik At Church:
Yesterday
was Malik's third time at Church. The first two times he pretty much
just wore whatever, he didn't really have any "church clothes". However,
he walked into Church yesterday in this nice black suit and purple tie.
He was looking like a modern day Johnny Cash (except that Malik is
black). It was so awesome to see him at Church, in a nice suit and how
excited and comfortable he looked!
In the Sunday School
class, the teacher called on him and asked him essentially, "how do you
feel now that you are getting baptized?"
"In my life, I
have been excited for a lot of things. When you are a child, you get
excited so easily and there have been many things in my life that have
made me feel excited. but.... I have never been more excited for
anything, than how excited I am to get baptized"
Malik is just such a boss. I love how much faith he has! He is a miracle.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I love y'all!!
-Elder Giles
p.s. the other picture of of a Texas-sized doughnut we ate
p.s. the other picture of of a Texas-sized doughnut we ate
Here is a lunch I made this week:
No comments:
Post a Comment