A very special end to a difficult week

The ultimate climax of our week was Saturday. From the beginning of the day, all of our appointments cancelled in one fell swoop. But we still had hope for the baptism we had scheduled with the 14 year old young man we were teaching. Satan was working just as hard as we were this week apparently because the 14 year old started getting sick on Friday and cancelled our lesson that evening. We offered a blessing to him but he said he'd just get some rest. Then Saturday morning came and his mom texted us letting us know he would now like a blessing.

Us: "We can do it just before the baptism if you'd like?"

Mom: "I think the sooner the better."

Us: "We'll be there in 30 minutes."

We came and explained blessings to him and then administered to him, the father picking me specifically to be voice (still a humbling experience every time). I felt the words flow through me as though I were simply a conduit -- they were not my own words. We departed after saying a closing prayer and left to meet another man who cancelled on us. Ha ha. When the time came for the baptism, everything fell into place though.

There was so many people in attendance that we didn't all fit in the font room, so we moved to the chapel and I was amazed to see that we almost filled half the chapel! I was humbled to be able to give one of the talks preceding the actual ordinance and had fun teaching to a kids level. I gave an object lesson regarding baptism, and then the baptism was performed by his father. The Spirit was strong and our other investigator, the 14 year old's uncle, said he felt it too and that he most surely would be the next person to be baptized in the coming weeks.

During the intermission while the young man got changed, Elder Wohlleben and I showed a clip of Jesus Christ being baptized (http://youtu.be/9_dr9njVzKM) and then we bore testimony that the same power and authority was restored after a period of apostasy, and that's why we are able to baptize today. Several nonmembers were in attendance and I know they felt the Spirit. I hope that they chose to receive it.

Anxiously and happily engaged. . .

Instead of district meeting this last week, we got together as a zone and had a zone meeting on Wednesday. It was a really neat meeting. A little bit before the meeting started the zone leaders sat down with me and the two other district leaders in the zone and we coordinated with one another so that our zone and districts would be more unified in setting goals and effectively working in our areas. It was really cool to counsel just as missionary leaders and to take responsibility for and hold an accounting of what we're doing to help our little flocks of missionaries.

During the meeting we talked about things that will really strengthen our unity with our ward leaders as well. It's neat to see how when things work properly within the church it's like a well-oiled machine. It just works! To me, that also explains how the gospel should work in our lives - if we follow what the Lord gives to us to do, our lives will be filled with joy and happiness. Of course, we will have maintenance to do, but for the most part, we will be blessed with a wonderful life. The church helps us apply the gospel principles into our lives, but it only works if each of the gears (or members) allow it to. Are all of your gears (or daily activities) in your lives cooperating to help you think of and be more like the Savior?

After the meeting the senior couple in our district drove us down to Vernonia, where I met and interviewed one of their investigators for baptism. It's incredible to see the people who are truly prepared by the Lord to enter into the waters of baptism. The Spirit acts as a powerful force in which I am able to tap into a person's life and their desires after just one short meeting with them. I'm grateful I have that opportunity and I cherish the responsibility, hoping I will fulfill it well.

Friday, Elder Wohlleben stayed with another missionary to work in our area, while I joined the zone leaders and another district leader at a training meeting for zone and district leaders. It was a great eye opener on how we should be giving baptismal interviews, what we should be training on in district meetings for the next year, and what we can do to help the ward leaders implement what the local Seventy, Elder Hansen, is going around to introduce to them. Overall it was an enlightening experience, and I also got to meet and become friends with Elder Wohlleben's previous companion, Elder Nickerson. He's an awesome missionary. I've already seen the fruits of his labors in the area in which I'm serving.

Despite Sundays being a day of rest, as missionaries, we are still working full time in the service of others and the ward as we have about 9-10 hours of meetings each week. And I'm not complaining one bit. Maybe it's odd, but for the most part I enjoy being in meetings and discussing the productivity and goals in which we can do better. I love coming to church each week and learning how I can be better the next week. We had 9 new ward missionaries called in one of our wards (8 of them youth), which puts our ward missionary count in just one of the wards to be at about 20 total ward missionaries! That's astounding. We are looking forward to involving the youth who are preparing to serve missions into our teaching appointments this week. They are already a step ahead of us in terms of teaching abilities from what I've seen already, so technically they will be involving us in their teaching appointments. Haha.

Last P-day we had some fun playing Uno speed and phase 10 with the district. Yesterday we just got caught up on some letters and took it easy. I got a hair cut from the relief society president in one of the wards, too. I feel like I'm now unpacked, primed and ready to give it all I've got, so now it's just about maintaining a clean apartment, clean car, updated and accurate area book and my gears will be working very well. I love it that way!

I hope everyone's gears and sprockets are all being adjusted accordingly and that with the new year already taking off at extraordinary speeds, we are implementing our goals and plans to become a better, more Christ-centered people. Therein lies prosperity. I love you all. Make this a great week!

The rainy exchange

This video is of Elder Irvine & Elder Crockett who had spent the day tracting on their bikes in Portland's lovely fall weather.

Off to a new adventure. . .

This last week was the climax of this area. Elder Bresnahan and I had a couple really good lessons and tracted our hearts out. It turns out that it was a great way to go out with a bang. Unfortunately I don't have the time to go into great detail this week due to time constraints, but it sufficeth me to say that I have moved.

Yesterday was transfers, so I went to both Sunset Hills and Oak Hills Wards for church one last time to say adieus to everyone. Transfers are bitter-sweet changes. I'm excited for and was expecting the change, but I am missing the people already.

Elder Bresnahan and Elder Osgood took over both wards again, and Elder Baba and I got sent to different car areas. I am now with my 27 year old, awesome companion, Elder Jan-David T Wohlleben (pronounced: vwoul-ay-ben) who's from near Frankfurt, Germany.  I'm super excited to be with him.  He seems awesome already and has been doing a lot of work here.  I am not working in the Forests Grove 1st and Council Creek Wards in Cornelius, Oregon.  Check out the new address.