Well another week in the amazing land of
Opa-Locka. Sometimes it is unreal how fast time goes by because another
transfer has come and gone and transfers will be next week! I ain't
worried though because I feel very strongly that God has huge things in
store for me to prepare me to learn lessons that I need to learn.
One of the things I was pondering on today is how simple it is to
share the gospel. We have to remember that we are not planting something
foreign into God's children but they heard the Gospel taught by God
himself in the pre-earth life. Also all of Gods children whether they
have been baptized or not have the light of Christ with them. The gospel
has a familiar ring to them. We saw this principle huge Sunday after
church as we were able to go out after church and set eleven baptismal
dates in less than five hours! Everyone we went and taught wanted to be
baptized and was extremely willing to repent.
One of the baptismal dates we set was for this Sunday. It was a
lady that I use to teach a couple of transfers ago, but never really
progressed due to the law of chastity and the word of wisdom. But we
felt prompted to stop back by and ring home the sweet message of the
gospel. As we visited with her she had completely changed. She expressed
that she had already quit smoking, wants to get married and baptized
this Sunday! As we explained her her this was possible there grew a
light within her of hope. She is extremely excited to be baptized on
Sunday!
Another was a man that I taught a couple of transfers ago as well.
We dropped him because he didn't want to be baptized. But as we were
teaching him about the doctrine of baptism in the middle of it he asked,
"When is the next baptismal service you're holding?" We replied, "This
Sunday!" He said, "Alright I'm getting baptized on Sunday." Doctrine
changes people.
The last huge experience I wanted to share with you was when we
were going to an appointment but it fell through so we decided to knock
one door on the way to our next appointment. The door we knocked on
changed our life. She answered and accepted absolutely everything. As we
went back and taught her the next day a question we asked her made her
break down in tears. She then testified of how badly she needs baptism
in her life. She came to church yesterday and will be getting baptized
on Sunday!
Oh shoot one more experience I just thought of! We were walking out
of an apartment complex and I said hello to a lady getting out of her
car. As we were walking away she called out to us, "Hey do I know you?"
Immediately I responded, "Yes when we were in God's presence before this
life." We blessed her and she accepted baptism immediately! The Spirit
will direct you exactly what to say we just must trust in the Spirit!
Well the beautiful land of Opa-Locka is doing amazing. I love the
people so much, just wish I could express into words how much I love
them. I am grateful for the time I have spent here and now I am
absolutely willing to go where God wants me to go and do what he wants
me to do, whether that is in Opa-Locka or somewhere else.
Be praying for miracles this week, we can feel it!
Love ya,
Elder Pond
