Elder Northrup's Best 2 Years! "Preachin' to Peaches!": A Fast & Testimony Meeting Miracle!!

From the beginning as always....

We were supposed to have many a lessons this week, but do to poor communication on both sides of the spectrum, most of them got cancelled.

Last Tuesday while me and Elder Braun were tracting we came across another guy that was interested in our message. His name was Brian. He immediately let us in, and we were able to give him the Restoration lesson. He accepted a Book of Mormon and said he would read it. A few days later we got a text from him saying that he would like a better understanding of the Bible before he added anything. When I first read that I got pretty sad, but then I realized that just the single teaching opportunity was a miracle in and of itself. So grateful for that!!

Wednesday was just a really weird day. We found 4 people that were just wack. I mean that is probably mean to say, but all of them were a little too accepting of the Book of Mormon and our message. Usually that means that they want to Bash, also there was just a weird feeling around them. So I guess that was cool.

Later that night we had dinner with the Welch's, one of my favorite couples in the Ward. At one point they were talking about how their Grandson was getting home from his mission in Taiwan Taipei. I said "wow, that's so cool my cousin is there right now." Then I suddenly remembered what Elder Thayne had said in his last letter, that "Elder Welch would be leaving and that it was really sad," or something like that!! I ended up showing them a picture that my cousin had sent out that had their grandson in it. AHHH that is so cool!! What a small world!! Connections across the church are the best!!

Thursday we got a call early in the morning from a member who is crippled and in a wheelchair. He needed us to come over and help him into his car so that he could go to the bank. It kinda blew our entire schedule out, but it was great to be able to serve him for a few hours. While we were coming back Elder Braun's tire blew out so we spent the majority of the day walking back to where we needed to be.

Friday we went to the Horse Ranch to do some more service. So that was pretty normal. Afterwards we had a Skype lesson with Jeremy (the guy that we found last Saturday) about the Plan of Salvation. It went well!! He also said that he would come to church that Sunday, and he did!! Woohoo

After that we went and chopped some wood for Kevin Anthony (investigator for a little over a year now). He really likes the Elders, so often times we are able to go over and have a lesson w/service.

Saturday we had a bash session....a hard bash session. I was really praying and hoping that this guy didn't want to bash, but sure enough that's all he wanted to do. We kept trying to implement the lesson into the discussion but he would just look for the little things we would say and 'over rule us.' I was getting pretty impatient, especially at one point where he was mixing up the Holy Ghost and the Priesthood. He wouldn't accept the fact that they are different although they work hand in hand. There comes a point in each bashing session where if the person isn't listening to you or the spirit, it's time to just have at 'em. It's always fun asking trinity questions because they always answer in some weird way. Every answer is different when it comes to those questions. This brings me to one great conclusion. I love the Church because all the doctrines and principles of this Gospel are the same yesterday, today and forever. They never change, nor will they ever. Also, truth doesn't change or at least shouldn't change from person to person. So I guess there is a blessing from all the bashing. Good stuff to learn...

Now, we finally get to the miracle of our Sacrament meeting from yesterday!! I already said this earlier, but yes, Jeremy came to church and it was awesome!! He was asking great questions, and we were able to provide those answers!! He also went up and bore His testimony about Christ!! It was so awesome to see!! He is so awesome!! Also, 2/3 of our other investigators who haven't been coming lately because of some issues came and bore their testimonies as well!! I went up with the 2 (Kevin Anthony and his son William). They both bore sweet testimonies about the majesty and power of Jesus Christ. That was the first time either of them had ever born their testimonies, and it was nearly a year ago that both of them had no faith in a God and didn't believe that He was there. I was able to bare my testimony after them on the Book of Mormon, Moroni 8:16. My favorite line from this verse is the last part...

16 Behold, I speak with boldness, having authority from God; and I fear not what man can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear.

This made me think of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice. The Savior must've had fear of going through all of that pain, but because of the PERFECT LOVE that He had for each and everyone of us, he was able to cast it out of himself. Amen!!

Also, I finished studying the Book of Mormon for the first time on my mission. It means so much more to me now!! I love it!!

love y'all, have a great week!!

Elder Northrup