The Most Joyful Week of My Life



I still don't like decisions, Toby has asked if I would room with him, along with Elder Rust but I don't think I can afford not to have free rent.  
This has been the most joyful week of my life, its ridiculous, I wish I had better words to describe it.
LaDonna Elkins, was baptized by Elder Levie, and was confirmed by Brother Hatch.  The Spirit was there at her baptism and I felt is especially strong when she was baptized, when we taught everyone about the gospel of Jesus Christ while they were changing and when a brief talk was given on the Holy Ghost.  More that 40 people came to the baptism and so the cookies and brownies we made for refreshments disappeared very quickly, everyone was impressed with our baking skills.  My heart has been full of joy and gratitude to see the Lord do his work.  We had a miracle at church when we found a new investigator.  She just moved from Lemoore where the missionaries were teaching her and she wants to be baptized.  We have been trying so hard to find people to teach and the Lord blessed us with 4 more wonderful people this week.  On preparation day we played Steam Punk Rally again with P1 and I came in 2nd place again, and then we played Monopoly with P1 and the Spanish Sisters.  It was so much fun.  Elder Davis and I were really struggling and only had 2 properties each when all of the properties had been bought up, but we had lots of money.  He managed to get a monopoly on the light blue ones and I managed to buy the 3 other railroads and through lots of luck and never landing on other people, I was also able to buy the red monopoly from Elder Wilmoth.  It was so much fun to play games with other missionaries.  We still do have a car, which we have been so grateful for because we have had so much rain recently it has been crazy, flood warnings but no flooding here yet.  We have been working with Brother Jones, Sister Martinez, the Gutierrez children, Brother Inlow,  and trying to meet the others.  Sister Martinez comes to church when she gets a ride, Sam Gutierrez was coming to church for a few weeks but he has stopped for a bit, and Brother Inlow said he would come but we didn't see him at church.  We have been staying busy teaching Sister Anderson and the Hoffmans, who are recent converts to help them with there current challenges.  I am so grateful for the gospel in my life.  As Elder Scmutz said in conference "As we exercise our faith in Him, He will lift us up and carry us through all of our trials and , ultimately, save us in the celestial kingdom."  I know that Christ is helping all those that will allow him.  We went on exchanges with our district leader, Elder Rearte this week.  We visited many different people but lots were busy or not home.  I had a great experience where I wasn't sure where to go next, so we said a prayer and the Lord guided us to go and talk to a man named Rodney and hopefully we will be able to talk to him again this week.  In my recent studies I have been going through the Book of Mormon, I just finished Alma this week and I have been highlighting whenever they speak of keeping the commandments, remembering, and whatever else has stuck out to me.  Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice is truly the center  of the Book of Mormon.  I have also been studying talks from the most recent General Conference.  I have really been enjoying Elder Anderson's talk to stand as witnesses of God. That really is what we do as we strive to be disciples of Jesus Christ and seek to proclaim his gospel.  I love his promise, I promise you that as you pray often and sincerely for opportunities to “stand as a witness of God,” those opportunities will come, and those who seek more light and knowledge will be put before you.   If we desire it, God will grant unto us the opportunities to stand as his witnesses to the world that he lives and loves them.  I would like to encourage all to pray for the opportunities to stand as a witness of God and to see how he will answer your prayers.  Have a fantastic week, Elder Talbot.

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