HEELLLOOO!!! Peeps!!!
Sorry I didn't get to email last Monday. We decided that we are going to go to the temple today!!! So last week was pretty awesome!! Most of it was actually planning for Kylie's baptism and going around visiting some people in the branch that we don't know. It was pretty sweet. I can't really remember a lot that happened to be honest. It was an entire week ago! But one thing that happened that was way awesome was after the baptism. A recent convert named Parker took us out to a sweet restaurant near gallatin Adam-Ondi-Ahman. It was like an hour away from our area, but still in our zone haha. It was way awesome! It was his birthday. This place makes only Dutch oven food!! It was so good! You just get there, sit down, and they tell you what you are eating. It's really good, and then there are some really cool little shops and log cabins around. So we looked around, then had the long drive home.
Baptism/spirit time: Kylie's baptism was awesome! We had to get there at 5 in the morning to fill up the font and have it heated in time. Her husband got to baptize her!! The program went really
well!! Her father and mother in law gave talks on baptism and the Holy Ghost! Then Elder Taylor and I got to be the witnesses! (Everything went well) then we went back into the relief society room and shared the #Hallelujah Video while they were changing!! We bore our testimonies and the spirit was so strong!! I LOVED it! Kylie was Baptized in a dress (my suggestion) their family looked so beautiful! It was so amazing to see him and her dressed in white! I can't wait to see them again in white clothes next year, with their Children. To be in the temple clothed in white, to be sealed for all of time and eternity!! They are so so excited, and they are going to be such a huge help and blessing to the Branch. One thing I have learned this week is that the gospel truly does bless families. That is the second principle we teach EVERYONE, right after "God is our loving Heavenly
Father" I asked Kylie after we taught her the restoration for her new member lessons, "how the Gospel has blessed her family? " and she gave an amazing answer. There has been so much more peace in her family relationship. She said her eyes have been opened to God more, and that
she is ultimately just a happier person. Of course there are still trials and troubles but they are better equipped for them, and put their shoulder to the wheel with a happier heart.
I love the gospel. I know it has blessed my family so much. And the opportunity that we have to be a family, sealed together for all of time and eternity is just absolutely amazing. The words "until death do you part" do not exist in the Kingdom of God, that alone really is a huge testimony builder. I hope to bring as many people as possible to the knowledge of this truth. Missionary work is truly the most fulfilling thing for me.
I love all of you so so much. Temple deets to come on Monday, (and if you know me you know I LOVE the temple) have a wonderful general conference weekend. Heed the messages of the Prophets of the Lord and all the other speakers as well. I promise you that you will find exactly what you need to hear as you listen sincerely and intently.
I LOVE YOU!!!
~Elder Samuel LaVar Ward
Dutch Ovening
Kylie's baptism!
Hello Family and friends!!This was a super duper good and busy week!! Lots of things happened!! We taught quite a few less active members, and committed them to come to church and some of them came! So that was cool!! It's also been a really nice week weather wise! 70 degrees or so most of the week! Which was good because most people were out and about doing stuff so we had more opportunity to talk to people! We also had the chance to do some service a few times!I went on exchanges again with Elder Pope to the Kearny 3rd area again. It was pretty fun! We tried some potentials there that I have actually met before on the last exchange, and one of them became a new investigator! So that was really exciting to see and be a part of. We went to a member of the Far West Stake Presidency's house, President Meyer. I also went there last time. They are such an awesome family. One thing that I really like about them is that they have such a clean house!! They are just as nice as nice can be. They remind me a lot of my old boss Dr. Cole and his family. And a lot of members from the Chapel Hill Ward and Victory View Ward back home. Just very very nice and friendly and Christ like! I met their son Cole both times. He has been going out with Elder Thompson and Elder Pope a few times. He is really cool. I outlined the Plan of Salvation for him and gave him some parts to talk about for the next lesson he goes with. There aren't many families like that in the Wood heights Branch. And I'm certainly missing that a little bit haha. It may not seem like it to outsiders, but Missouri is definitely a huge culture shock, and I love it! Although, I'm dreading the summer humidity time coming up haha.One other thing. WE GOT KYLIE ON DATE FOR BAPTISM!! It was so awesome! Kylie is super solid. Loves the gospel and just can't wait till the day she can be sealed to her husband. She wants her husband Rob to baptize her!! Rob is working towards that!! We don't know exactly how long it will take for him to get there. But we set a goal for them to baptize Kylie on March 26th!! I sneakily suggested that day because it is my Brother Ethan's Birthday and I just think that would be cool! Also, it's the same day as the Women's General Broadcast. So that will be a busy day for her! Just keep her in your prayers that all will go well and that that day can happen!Also. We stopped by Cheryl and Stevens. That one referral. Last week we weren't able to set up another appointment because they were super busy. But we stopped by this last Friday. And Cheryl came to the door.She said sorry she never called back haha. But she said that she has read HALF OF THE BOOK!! Not sure if she meant the whole book or first book of Nephi. But we are gonna call it the whole Book of Mormon until we hear otherwise! Haha. It's so amazing! Definitely an answer to prayers! She said she has a couple questions, but that she really liked it! So we have an appointment for Tuesday!! So exciting!!On Saturday we helped a recent convert build a new deck for his porch. Brother Arnold is his name. He is really cool. And can build anything! So we helped him with that and nailed some new tin roofing onto his shed! So that was fun!This week I was reading in the book of Alma. And came across Alma 36:30. This chapter is Alma telling his son Helaman about his conversion after seeing an angel...towards the end of the chapter, after the story of the conversion he says: "But behold, my son, this is not all; for ye ought to know as I do know, that inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land; and ye ought to know also, that inasmuch as ye will not keep the commandments of God ye shall be cut off from his presence. Now this is according to his word." I realized that the word "prosper" in there also refers to the spiritual meaning. Of course it may refer to material things as well. But I think namely things of the spirit. If we keep the commandments, we prosper. We are successful in obtaining the blessings of being close to the Lord. We are on the track to entering the Lords presence. And if we don't keep the commandments, of course the opposite effect happens, and we are "cut off from his presence." I love how simple the gospel really is. And how wonderful the blessings are if we live it. I know that Jesus Christ is the Son Of God and that he is the only way for us to return. I Know the commandments are holy and truly are for our benefit. To keep us happy, have eternal families, and to return to Father in Heaven.I love all of you so much!! Have a splendid week!!~Elder Samuel LaVar Ward
Brother Arnold's deck!
