Week 64

Mon, Sep 9, 2013 at 9:34 AM

So, since when was last week the week that Chris got his mission call.  First it blew my mind that he was already submitting his papers.  Then, when he said he was submitting them, I still thought it was weeks away before he gets it.  That's crazy stuff.  But ridiculously exciting.  Minus the fact that now both my brothers will be able to speak Spanish ;) ;) haha  But Hot ol' Texas.  Who would have thought.  Is that a new mission? 

Time continues to fly by.  This Friday, we get to go to the temple, so that is fantastic.  I can't wait.  I love the temple.  I love the peace and direction I gain through worshiping my Savior and my Father within its sacred walls. 

I'll tell you one thing...there are not enough hours in the day.  There is never enough time to get everything done.  Not kidding.  That's crazy about whatever your super youth music/drama shabang is.  Y'all should send me a picture of the plaque cabinet.  That would be intense.  That's double awesome about getting intense visits from seventy members.  I like the role play he did.  Members are so important.  That's one of the things I love most about being a missionary.  I love interacting with all the members and building relationships of trust with them and working side by side to accomplish the work of the Lord (a definite dearth of commas right there :) ).  But seriously, it's amazing. 

Last week we found this new investigator which was truly amazing.  We have high hopes for her, and it's really exciting.  She was supposed to be at church yesterday, but she got a concussion.  Our other investigator who was at church last week was out of town this weekend.  They should both be there at church next week.  There are a lot of good things going on in Wake Forest :)  I love it. 

On a spiritual note, on Saturday we did have a baptismal service.  It was the 8 year old one for the ward.  A returned-less active's daughter got baptized.  We have been working with them pretty heavily, so even though technically she's not a convert baptism, it still meant the same to us.  Her dad baptized her, and they asked me to confirm her a member of the church and bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost.  It was an honor.  I should be sending a picture.  It truly is amazing to see people follow Jesus Christ.  Nothing of this world could ever instill so much joy and happiness in someone as that does.  There is absolutely no doubt that this is all real -- that our Savior lives and loves us, that the Holy Spirit testifies of truth, that our Heavenly Father has a wonderful and perfect that we can take advantage of if we so choose, so that we can return to live with him eternally with our families.  I know that we have a prophet of God on the earth today, a mouthpiece of our God to bless, guide, and protect His children.  I know that if we follow his counsel we will never be led astray.  I just wish that everyone would embrace this fundamental truth, that everyone would allow Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to take an active and powerful role in their lives.  So many people water it down or try to do it alone.   Why?  Why not make this life worth it?  What else is the point?  There are so many little miracles that I witness on a daily basis, I'm afraid that I won't remember them all or recognize them.  I hope I'm not taking it for granted.  As a final thought, I've talked to multiple individuals that have told me there won't be families in heaven.  We'll recognize people, but we won't have families.  I wonder incredulously, "really??"  I feel so bad for people like that.  Their view of heaven is that we will endlessly praise God and float around as angels for the rest of eternity.  They believe that is the end of our creation, that is the reason we were born.  Christ overcame sin and death for that??  It almost seems like a waste.  I know that families can be eternal.  I know families are supposed to be eternal, forever.  That's what our literal Father in Heaven wants for us.  That was one of the pivotal reasons we came here.  Without that fundamental truth, what, honestly, is even the point of families.  Are we nothing more than creations that happened to be born in the same litter?  No...it's divinely mandated.  I know it is.

I hope your week goes well.  Know I pray for you.  I love you all so much.  Always remember the eternal perspective.

Love,

Elder Patty