I love it here in the MTC! It is somewhat sad to
me that we have passed the halfway point. It goes by so fast. The
campus is really nice, being right next to my dream school BYU. The
mountains are fantastic and it has snowed a little this past week.
However, even more fantastic than the snow balls, delicious food,
comfortable dorms, friendly missionaries, awesome companions, and
excellent language trainers, are the powerful spiritual experiences
everyday.
At the Provo Temple. I will miss this place. |
On 11/6, Elder Inman was sick. His companion, Elder
Starr, and I gave him a priesthood blessing. The priesthood is the power
of God given to man to serve God's children on the earth. It is by this
authority that we can baptize and also by which we can bless the sick. I
am happy that God trusts me with his power and provides me with
opportunities to serve.
The next day, we taught Lucas again.
We focused on teaching him just about baptism. Here is a portion of my
journal entry for that day:
"After sharing multiple scriptures
(Mosiah 18: 8-11) about the people of Alma desiring to be baptized and
the example of Jesus Christ, he prayed with us and asked God if he
should be baptized. During the prayer, I realized that the only thing I
wanted in the world was for Lucas to receive an answer from God. [I
prayed mightily for him]. After the prayer, he was noticeably affected,
but still unsure. The spirit then prompted me to tell him that this
decision is really big, that it is not our decision and we can't make it
for him. It is up to him to choose. I then invited him to be baptized
again. It was quiet for what felt like two minutes. Finally, he replied
'I know God wants me to be baptized. Yes.' That was the coolest thing to
hear! I know it will bless his life... Hurray!"
I must have
invited him three times during that lesson to be baptized. My companion
thought I was really pushing him, but I know I felt and obeyed God's
promptings to me.
Snowing! |
We sang this past Tuesday,
an arrangement of "Nearer My God To Thee" for the devotional. This song
applies so powerfully to me right now. If I am not coming closer to God
each day, I am falling away from Him. I especially love the line
"Angels to beckon me." I know that angels are with us daily to protect
us and invite us closer to Christ. During the song, I was able to focus
on the words of the song and felt the spirit very powerfully, as I plead
with God to help me come closer to Him. What a great song!
My
companion and I had a contest to not look at the screens while we were
singing. If I looked, I had to do 10 push-ups, him, 30. Even though we
focused really hard, me 10, him 90 (he is really built!)
We
are learning to teach more specifically and with more power. My
companion and I have a long way to go, but we are on God's side and have
great love for our investigators and desires to follow Christ. I invite
each of you to come closer to Christ this week. Read the scriptures,
serve someone in need, or give a heartfelt prayer of gratitude. I know
this will bring you greater happiness and peace.
Have a happy day!
Elder Cloward
P.S. To answer some questions, my departure date is either Nov 30, or Dec. 1,
I'm not sure which yet. My Spanish is coming along nicely. I can
communicate, but at this point, every sentence I give has at least one
error in it. I'm getting all of our recent language lessons confused and
there is little time to review or fully incorporate what I am learning.
Still, it's fun to pop a Spanish word that the rest in the district
don't know and have them decipher what I'm saying. Next Tuesday, our district is doing an English and food fast. I am excited for this opportunity to develop.
This
is my last week as district leader. It has been a great, but difficult
experience. I am excited to see who will be assigned this next week.
Love you all!
Spike Ball With Elder Maisey |
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