Week 85 - Recognize miracles!

Kellie is getting baptized this Saturday the 27th!! After she read a good chunk of the BOM and D&C she basically set her own baptism date. It was AWESOME!! She passed her interview yesterday and is getting ready for the big day this Saturday. She told us one day that she was 3/4's through with the BOM and 1/2 with the D&C.....holy cow. I've never had an investigator read that much before baptism. In relief society yesterday she got really excited and did a cheer and invited everyone to her baptism. She has a good heart and real intent, and says she already wants to help people through some sort of missionary service. Ah man. Serving a mission is the best.

Our zone at the Temple! 

Nonetheless, the week started off last Monday by us kicking off some "Zone Olympics" where we had different events! It was saweet! There was different events. It's things like that, that bring unity to a zone. Our zone goals that we follow up weekly on are 1) Being more positive with comments and actions 2) Not wasting time after meetings 3) Unity in the zone along with praying for miracles. We've seen a big focus on those things this transfer. After talking to President this morning, we hope that not many changes happen next week for transfers....but we'll find out in calls this Saturday!

Last week in "Zone Olympics" our team took 2nd!

Someone else that we've been teaching is Alicia! She was contacted by Sister Missionaries in her apt. complex and asked if we could come over. We went over with two Sisters from the ward, and taught her the Restoration! She has bee Roman-Catholic so she feels a little sense of guilt changing things up, but luckily our two members were also Roman-Catholic. Perrrfect. We set up a time to give a church tour and she came to that as well. The spirit was suuper strong when at the font....tears began to come and we invited her to be baptized on Oct. 18th and she said YES!! The spirit was there with us and she said she felt "lighter." Will keep updated!

Yesterday, Kellie, Alicia, and Andreas all came to church! Along with our good Polynesian family friends and some other people we've been working with. It makes a great Sundaywhen people come to church. Ward Council at 7am. Church at 8:30am, and yet, the spirit is still there just as much. Legit.

The relay race! 

"Miracles" have been a HUGE focus in our zone and mission! So it's been humbling to recognize all the miracles that happen to us, regardless of the circumstances!:

-Sister Mulherin and Sister Baker both grew up Roman-Catholic so they could relate to Alicia better than anyone.
-While walking at 8:30pm trying to find someone the last 30 mins. of the day, we walked around and found William! He believes in reincarnation, but lots of similar things. He almost came to church and we hope to meet with him in the next couple days!
-Another "walk it out" session at 8:40pm, we hear a "gentleman!" and looked over to see a guy, named Quintin, chillin' on the curb. He was sliiiightly drunk, but had a great talk with him about how the world perceives evil along with religion. We're going back tonight!
-KELLIE IS GETTING BAPTIZED!! YES!! Can't wait.
-3 invests. came to church.


Elder Lahtinen: "Well, it's been nice to know ya."
Elder Hales:"....are you leaving?"
Elder Lahtinen:"No...but it's still been great to know ya."
hahaha


Miracles have been all around us lately...someone is praying...or paying tithing...or something! Because amazing things are happening. We were able to hit SOE's this past week which has happened only a hand full of times on the mish. so far. All I know, is that the church is true. We shared 1Nephi8:30:30 But, to be short in writing, behold, he saw other multitudespressing forward; and they came and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell downand partook of the fruit of the tree.

The focus of it was how when we recognize miracles around us, God will often give us more. To the point where we will be like them, as they "fell down" and realized what they had in front of them. I'm so grateful to be serving the mission. Although I'm in a situation where I must figure out whether I'll be coming home the February or March transfer...all I know, is that I love this work and am grateful to be a part of it. It's hard to humble ourselves at times, but it always opens our eyes in the end.


Love y'all!!


Elder Deej Hales