Get a Grip!

Dear Family,

What a week. I will start with the fun happenings Teusday. The Mission set a goal to have 100 baptisms in September, so at district meeting Elder Jones relayed the news that President asked that all the dates for this weekend be pushed up to Wednesday. I'll admit I was less than excited, but I know that obedience is key, espescially to mission leaders. We called Lilia to see what she thought and the conversation went something like this:

Me: Hello, Lilia?

Lilia: Yes.

M: How are you?

L: I'm alright

M:I have a question for you

L: Ok

M: Our mission president asked us to move all the dates from this weekend up to tomorrow. Do you think it would be possible for your sons to be baptized tomorrow?

At this point, I was kinda completly prepared to tell her it was ok if there was any problems and that we would just do it this weekend, but her faith was stronger than mine

L: Yes, that will work, what time?

The rest of the conversation we set up an appointment to teach the rest of the lessons and do the interviews and all the other business that goes along with it. I cannot belive their faith! They are a Godsent for sure. So,things didn't go at all as planned this week in Matoury, but that is ok. When we received the news that all investigators who could be baptized in September should, Elder Taerea and I were both a little hesitant, but we knew we needed to be obedient so we called our investigators and asked them with a postitive response. We taught them the rest of the things they needed to know that afternoon, and the next day they were baptized. I know we will see blessings from this obedience. We still have the goal for 3 in October, which will require a little more effort now that the 2 we had planned are already done, but I am sure we will see blessings. We have been working with some of our investigators, and we have some good ones, but the major problem remains transportation to Church. I also feel the branch needs alot of strengthening still, because we didn't see a lot of support from them with these recent converts. I am confident, however, that this family will be just like you said "more of a blessing than a burden." We are still searching for a building, but that will come. I love Elder Taerea. He tries so hard. I am grateful to be able to serve him and learn form his example. We are working much better together, and I am still working on getting over myself. The church is true. I seriously thought when I was younger that I was destined to be an apostle or something, because it seemed every time I listened to a General Authority speak, it was like he was speaking straight to me. I have come to realize that it is the same for everyone, and those men are inspired, and when they speak the Holy Ghost carries their message unto the hearts of men. I love my Heavenly Father, his son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. I am glad that it is him that will be guiding my converts and me on the path of eternal life. I love you guys, and I'm not going to lie either, I am super excited for Christmas too, But I try not to think about it.

Thank you for everything, and Dad, If you heard Elder Ballards talk, We got some things to talk about! I love you guys so much!

Elder Ison

PS: I did get to baptize for the first time Wednesday. I baptized Tyler.

Kristofer was Baptized by Pres. Guy D'Abreu