¡Hola Fonzfam!
There are very few words that I can use to express the happiness and joy of this last week here in Mt Hood. I feel so much love for those I'm serving whether that be the people we're teaching, the members of the branch, the missionaries in our zone, or even my companion. This week I can say that I've truly felt the pure love of Christ in my heart. Charity is such an amazing thing and something that I hope to be able to spread to those around me.
This last Saturday was Cassie's baptism which went amazing well! She was beaming and was smiling ear to ear. Many tears of joy were shed and we could all feel the love and Spirit though out the baptismal service. I was very honored and humbled to have been able to baptize her and Elder Hadfield gave a great blessing for the confirmation the following Sunday. We are working towards going to the temple this Friday to go do baptisms for the dead for her first time. I am so blessed to be able to take part in her exciting journey in her life right now.
We've had some miracles this last week and so our teaching pool is actually looking pretty good considering how there have been 4 recent baptisms in the last month or two. Last night we had our first sitdown lesson with this one woman named Kalea who said she wanted to be baptized after we shared the message of the Restoration. She wants to think about a date first, but is excited to come try church to out learn more. The members who came were awesome! The testimonies and experiences they shared were perfect and just what Kalea needed.
Yesterday we were setting our daily goals and were inspired to put 1 New Person as one of our goals. We weren't sure where that would come from so we then put "pineapple" next to it (this is from our last zone conference because crazy miracles that land in your lap are like pineapples falling from the sky). On the way to church later that morning I had the impression to text a former person who was taught a while ago that we've been trying to meet up with. We texted him asking how his weekend was going and he actually responded a few minutes later! After a few texts back and forth we had set up a time to get together. Later that night we taught him about his relationship to God and invited him to learn more. He became someone new who we're now teaching, but besides that it testifies to me of how as we set inspired goals, we can get inspired results.
I came across a new scripture on baptism in Alma 7 that I've never used before in my teaching. Verses 14 & 15 basically talk about the gospel of Jesus Christ and specifically about the necessity of baptism. Alma teaches how baptism is essential in order to enter God's kingdom as it helps us be washed of our sins. In verse 15 he invites us to "fear not...come and go forth, and show God that ye are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto him this day by going into the waters of baptism." At this time in the work, there are many who are making this sacred covenant. As they come to know and understand the importance of this covenant they will come to know and understand the Savior. It's my promise and prayer that as we remember our promise to the Father that we will receive the gift of eternal life as Alma teaches in this chapter.
Always, I am grateful for all of the time and effort that goes into such an amazing work. It is wonderful and I'm so blessed to be a part of it.
Sincerely,
Elder Fonnesbeck
PS- Adwoa is getting baptized this Saturday! Elder Clements and I are going to be making the trek over to Tualatin to go support her. We're so excited for her and her decision to come closer to Christ:)
There are very few words that I can use to express the happiness and joy of this last week here in Mt Hood. I feel so much love for those I'm serving whether that be the people we're teaching, the members of the branch, the missionaries in our zone, or even my companion. This week I can say that I've truly felt the pure love of Christ in my heart. Charity is such an amazing thing and something that I hope to be able to spread to those around me.
This last Saturday was Cassie's baptism which went amazing well! She was beaming and was smiling ear to ear. Many tears of joy were shed and we could all feel the love and Spirit though out the baptismal service. I was very honored and humbled to have been able to baptize her and Elder Hadfield gave a great blessing for the confirmation the following Sunday. We are working towards going to the temple this Friday to go do baptisms for the dead for her first time. I am so blessed to be able to take part in her exciting journey in her life right now.
We've had some miracles this last week and so our teaching pool is actually looking pretty good considering how there have been 4 recent baptisms in the last month or two. Last night we had our first sitdown lesson with this one woman named Kalea who said she wanted to be baptized after we shared the message of the Restoration. She wants to think about a date first, but is excited to come try church to out learn more. The members who came were awesome! The testimonies and experiences they shared were perfect and just what Kalea needed.
Yesterday we were setting our daily goals and were inspired to put 1 New Person as one of our goals. We weren't sure where that would come from so we then put "pineapple" next to it (this is from our last zone conference because crazy miracles that land in your lap are like pineapples falling from the sky). On the way to church later that morning I had the impression to text a former person who was taught a while ago that we've been trying to meet up with. We texted him asking how his weekend was going and he actually responded a few minutes later! After a few texts back and forth we had set up a time to get together. Later that night we taught him about his relationship to God and invited him to learn more. He became someone new who we're now teaching, but besides that it testifies to me of how as we set inspired goals, we can get inspired results.
I came across a new scripture on baptism in Alma 7 that I've never used before in my teaching. Verses 14 & 15 basically talk about the gospel of Jesus Christ and specifically about the necessity of baptism. Alma teaches how baptism is essential in order to enter God's kingdom as it helps us be washed of our sins. In verse 15 he invites us to "fear not...come and go forth, and show God that ye are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto him this day by going into the waters of baptism." At this time in the work, there are many who are making this sacred covenant. As they come to know and understand the importance of this covenant they will come to know and understand the Savior. It's my promise and prayer that as we remember our promise to the Father that we will receive the gift of eternal life as Alma teaches in this chapter.
Always, I am grateful for all of the time and effort that goes into such an amazing work. It is wonderful and I'm so blessed to be a part of it.
Sincerely,
Elder Fonnesbeck
PS- Adwoa is getting baptized this Saturday! Elder Clements and I are going to be making the trek over to Tualatin to go support her. We're so excited for her and her decision to come closer to Christ:)
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Cassie had a wonderful baptismal day. Elders Sonne and Hadfield both are great missionaries who played a huge role in teaching her over the past couple months.
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We attempted to climb to Devil's Peak this morning and had some incredible views of Mt Hood before the rain hits again.
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We went to the temple visitor center to teach Cassie about baptisms for the dead.
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More views from Devil's Peak hike
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The Portland Oregon Temple in the fall has beautiful and unique colors. It was a great day to visit.
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