This week we are going to have two baptisms. One is the wife of a less active that we are activating and another is the one I told you about that was going to get baptized a long time ago. She has three kids and in the next two weeks we are going to baptize them too. We are seeing a lot of success and we need to thank the Lord for what He has given us.
This last week we had zone conference and we saw a video from Elder Holland from the MTC that I think you guys can't see. He talked about something he learned while he was in his personal study. He talked about how Peter had been called to fish men and he left his boat and everything to follow the Lord. But then later on I can't remember where but he goes fishing again and as Elder Holland put it, he turned back to his old ways. He began to do something again that he had promised not to do, fish. And then later on he asks Peter three times if he loves him,because he had turned back to his old ways and he had forgot about his calling. Peter gets mad when he asks him 3 times but that is the only way that Christ could get it into his head that he was not doing what he ought to do. I would feel bad if Christ had to ask me three times that same question. But we need to put ourselves in that position. What would we say? But Elder Holland explains that after that is when he really had his conversion and began to teach everyone and when we baptized a bunch of people in Acts ch. 2. We need to ask ourselves if we have had that conversion?? I have had to ask myself again and again. And we should ask ourselves constantly because quickly we forget what we hear, if it doesn’t enter into our hearts. It has entered into my heart and I know with all my heart that Christ lives and I want to be able to go to the temple the first day I get home and in the Celestial room give an account of all I have done in my mission and tell Him that I gave it my all. I can't let him down.
He also talked about missionaries that go home and return to their old ways. And those who leave their missionary calling behind and don’t preach to anyone. I have decided and I will put goals to not be that type of return missionary. This calling is for life. And I know the joy that comes when we help others come unto Christ. He will even forgive us of our sins(James 5, the last 2 verses). I can't be that member that just sits around and when the missionaries come by and ask for referrals I am going to say no. I can't do that. I need to be looking constantly for missionary opportunities.
Something funny this week...we were walking and I saw that a gate was open and a huge dog came out and started chasing us. I started running and I tried to take my backpack off but the strap got stuck with my tie and I never got it off to hit the dog. But I was running backwards and was watching the dog and not where I was running. So I ran into a parked car and hit the back taillight with my back and I broke the taillight!!! I was running pretty dang fast. And it made a way loud noise when I hit it and the dog got scared and ran away. It was a German Shepard and it was ready to eat me to pieces. My back hurt for a couple of days but not anymore. Yep, you can all say it, I am an idiot. Haha, but it was something funny to remember.
Well I love you all and pray for you all every night. Pray for me to endure to the end. I can't be one of the missionaries that dies. I know I won't be but I need your prayers. I hope all is well at home and we will see each other before ya know it!!!!
Love, Elder Mahas
