This week was a great one! Attending the Orlando Temple, sweating like crazy, riding bikes in the humidity and heat, serving the members, and helping our investigators progress towards baptism! What more could you ask for!?
The Temple was rejuvenating! It was so nice to review the covenants I've made to The Lord, and feel of His love for me. I really enjoyed the peace I felt being away from all temptations, distractions, worries and stress of the world. For an entire day I was able to soak up all the blessing and be grateful for what the Lord has given us to be happy in this life and for all eternity.
As I mentioned last week, we door bell ditched a list of active members while leaving a plate of goodies and a note expressing how much we love them and are thinking about them. We signed it as an anonymous member of the ward. So they will never know it was us! He he.
Now is the time of year where many of the Doctors, Dentists, and Anesthesiologists finish their residency and move out. We've lost about ten or so solid families in our ward and have only gotten 1 in return. Our depth in leadership is running thin.
Our progressing investigators right now are Jerry and Melissa Gore, and Tina. We've met with the Gore family almost everyday this week reading the Book of Mormon, and having great gospel discussions. They've accepted the baptismal date of July 12!! Their biggest obstacle right now is making it to church. We first contacted them in the Publix grocery store parking lot. They were in dire need of finding a job to support the family. The day after we set a baptismal date with them, read the Book of Mormon, and had Jerry write down all the things he could do, we saw miracles. We all prayed together asking in faith for the Lord to provide and the very next morning he received a call from labor services and got set up with a job working with a member of our church! This same member came to his house and had a discussion with them a few days later. Next step is to live exact obedience to all of the Commandments in order to feel the spirit more frequently in their lives and to continue to progress in the gospel. :)
As for Tina, our Chinese investigator, she has come to church three times now and loves it! She is still fighting with which church to choose, ours or her Chinese baptist. She knows her other church has some serious problems, but everyone speaks Mandarin Chinese there and has lots of friends. She has a hard time keeping up with the talks and lessons at our church.. She is hopefully going to attend an all Chinese Scripture study class in another ward this week. We're helping her to recognize the spirit and asking the right questions for God to receive answers to her prayers. She's looking for tangible, physical evidence, such as a fortune cookie to know if she should join our church. Haha.
Elder Tuft is going home on Thursday and it's sad to see him go. I've really enjoyed working with him these last 3 months. He's freaking out about having to date, isn't ready to leave his mission yet that's for sure. He's got a great heart and such a drive to do Gods will. I found out last night on the transfer call that I'll be serving with Elder Lewis! He was in my last District, serving in the neighboring area of Fleming Island. We've gone on a few trade offs and really enjoy each other so I'm excited for this next transfer!
Until next time,
Elder G
Gainesville, Florida District
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