How I Love This Work

August 6, 2012

Dear Family & Friends,

How I love this work.  The spirit that we have had continues to grow and be with us.  Each of us missionaries in this Ward truly love those we are serving; members, investigators, less-active...anyone.  We have grown in our love for God and for those we serve and this has allowed us to grow in faith in order to witness many mighty miracles in our lives and especially in the lives of those we are teaching.  We have seen many tender mercies occur in our lives and especially the lives of our investigators and those preparing to go to the temple. Those who went to the temple on Friday were blessed greatly with the Spirit and are now excited to help and be involved with the next group who will be preparing to return in the coming months. They have become truly converted and are now looking to share this joy with others. Both our investigators and the Sisters have been richly blessed with many experiences of feeling the Spirit and are coming to know for themselves that these things are true and are sent from their loving Heavenly Father to bless the lives of them, their family, and their friends. We continually are seeking to identify where we as missionaries can improve and how we can better help our Brothers and Sisters here grow in Faith and feel the Spirit. The Ward Council and Bishopric are doing the same and it is marvelous the work that is being done as we seek to be united and take the spirit into the lives and homes of those we are meeting and coming to truly love. Much work yet to be done! We have some new things we have plans to work on with regards to retention now that we have many coming in and many returning. We are working with the Ward in order to achieve this and lay a solid foundation for growth for the future.  We have in our Ward right now about 10 preparing and progressing for baptism this month and several others preparing for September.  Powerful experiences have been happening in their lives, and I know much of it is because they have a desire to learn and a willingness to do the things necessary to receive answers.  They themselves have witnessed miracles and the Spirit is inviting and strengthening them to change. 

Shanin Holland will be baptized next Saturday at 1:00 p.m. and is doing great.  She has examples in her life of those who are striving to live the Gospel and those who are not, and she has truly grown in her desire to follow Christ and do the things He has asked of us.  Kaelon Moore and Lexi Billingham are both progressing very well and are like sponges.  They retain everything so well and are understanding that they truly do have a loving Heavenly Father and that there is a plan for them to return to Him again.  Lexi is 16 and her parents are allowing her to meet with us but are against the church and her desire to join.  We are hoping to meet them and answer many of their questions and misconceptions about the church this next week.  We fasted and prayed for Lexi yesterday and especially for her parent’s hearts to soften and their minds to be open.  The incredible thing to is that Lexi did it with us, and then as we told the Ward Council yesterday Bishop Talbot invited all in attendance to include Lexi and her family in their fasts and prayers.  I love this Ward.  John Kuhr is a 51-year-old man who was found by the Sisters at a bus stop he thought he was supposed to be at.  He realized 20 minutes after meeting the Sisters that he was at the wrong bus station, a mistake he has never made before.  The Sisters met once briefly with him and found out that he lives in our area.  We met him the next day and he has truly been prepared and is ready to do all that his Father and Savior would have him do.  He keeps every commitment with exactness and takes notes and records of what he learns and the impressions and feelings he has.  Because of this the Spirit is truly teaching him.  He understands the principles with ease and accepts them instantly.  The Spirit is strong in every single one of our meetings.  He loved church yesterday, took notes, and was crying during some of the testimonies shared in church yesterday.  He is doing amazing, and understands that he will face trials but with God's help can conquer any of them.  What’s been great with each of them is they have a desire and are willing to share this with others.  The Sisters are teaching the Arnette Family who were former investigators.  They are ready this time.  They have had so many direct answers to prayers and so many spiritual experiences that they know these things are true.  They are all coming in together as an immediate family, extended family, and even friends and their families are wanting to learn and feel and experience the things that this family has been experiencing.  There are new people in the lessons there every week.  I can't express in words the miracles that have been occurring here, but I know that our God is a God of Miracles.  He loves us, and truly desires each and every one of us to know it. 

I truly hope you each have a wonderful week!!!  Crazy that school is about to start up again.  Good luck with all the preparations.  I love and pray for each of you every day.

Love,

Elder Weaver

August 5, 2012 Really Bad Thunder Storm Rolled Through