A Fullness of Joy

 Moses Mural

This week has basically been the best week EVER!!! I'll start off at the beginning!

On Wednesday (After 'P' Day) last week me and Elder Storey were planning a lesson for our investigator Jose Mesa-Leon and we decided to spend the time talking about the Plan of Salvation. The Monday before was the first day that we met him so we pretty much just spent the whole time talking and getting to know him. When we got to the appointment, everything was going really well and according to plan until we got to Christ's Atonement. Jose let us know everything he was going through. He really wanted to know if through Jesus Christ's Atonement he could be healed. So the rest of the lesson was planted into the Atonement. He had that sincere desire to change and he wanted to feel of Christ's Grace more than anything. I was able to share my own experience with the Atonement and I feel like we really connected in that way. We invited him to pray to God for forgiveness, and to also feel of His love for him. The spirit was sooooo powerful in that lesson. As soon as we finished and walked out the door I burst into tears. I realized how important this work was, and I was able to feel of the joy of bringing others unto Christ! 

The next time we were able to meet with him was that Friday. We were all really excited to be there. I've never felt so much joy before. I love teaching now! We went in and taught the rest of the Plan of Happiness, then we moved into The Restoration. Through the restoration we were able to talk about how the Priesthood was restored, and because of that we are able  to talk about how we can all be baptized how Jesus Christ was. And how it is our first Covenant with God. How we take upon his name. And how we can wash away our past sins. It just felt right to commit him to baptism....so we did. He said YES!!! That made me so dang happy!! I was flippin flippin out (While controlling myself of course). We set the date for Sept. 30 and asked him if he would prepare himself to be baptized. Afterwards we asked him to say the closing prayer. It was the most loving and sincere prayer I have ever heard/felt. In his prayer he thanked God for us, for the message we brought; he literally called us 'Angels'. At that point my tears couldn't hold any longer and they burst forth. Pure Happiness. A fullness of Joy for sure. I love that guy!

Me, Jose Mesa-Leon (We committed him to be baptized on the 30th) and Elder Storey

We were able to meet with him one more time. We were trying to figure out what to teach him, and we decided to end on the Book of Mormon. Previously we gave him one to read, and he did. So going into this lesson we were just making sure everything was clear in it. This is actually pretty funny! These lessons are supposed to run for about 25 min. and every time we went over by at least 20. This time we went for almost 2 HOURS. Jose just wanted to learn more and more about it. Afterwards we were able to get a picture and his email to check up on how his baptism went. Woohoo!! I am so dang happy its weird and awesome and I love it!!!!

Now....y'all were probably wondering why I had a big spot in the middle of my forehead in one of the pictures, so here it goes. Me and Elder Storey went to T4 for a study session cuz we had some downtime. For the first hour Elder Storey was dosing off and on while I studied. Then when he woke up I decided that I needed a bit of a rest. So I stacked my investigator pamphlets on top of each other so that it could be squishy. About 20 min later I woke up to a surprised look on my comps face. I guess the ink melted and printed on my face. It took Flippin foreeeever to get off! But it was worth it, do it for the mish! 

Sunday was our first fast Sunday! It was pretty long, just like any other Sunday, here! We taught in Priesthood about the Creation, the Fall, and Agency. The Branch Pres. sat in on the meeting soooo Presssuuure! It went really well! Monday was our last lesson with the awesome Brother Bues and it was sad to see him leave. 

Anyway, we have a devotional today so hopefully its a General Authority!!

Sorry for the long email! Love all y'all!!!

Elder Northrup

Elder Porter

Flight plans and pick up information from President Foote!  It came from the info desk which came from my mission president. So I think what happened was they were telling them my name over the phone and didn't exactly hear correctly...

One of my best Elder Friends left last week...
Elder Christianson!!!