Week 39: Sam was baptized!

Elder Carroll plays whenever he gets the chance!

Hello!

This week has yet been another successful week that the Lord has blessed us with!! It's a great feeling to know that hard work gets things done. It feels good to do good.

Sam was baptized Saturday April 12th, and confirmed the following day in Sacrament meeting! The baptism was relatively small.  Maybe 10 people showed up to support. Sam does not have any family in Utah, so it was mostly the ward members that cam to support :) The ward is great and i know we are leaving him in good hands. It was hilarious.. the first thing that Sam asked me after the baptism.. "When do i start paying tithing?".. He is going to make a great member. His testimony is strong, even though he has a lot more to learn (as we all do)!

So during a District Meeting this past week, I've come to realize something.. we need to get more excited about mission work! About the Book of Mormon!! About the Gospel!! If we introduce the Gospel or the Book of Mormon top someone.. and we're not excited about it.. why on earth would they be?? We need to express our feelings about the Church, like it's the most important thing in our entire lives.. BECAUSE IT IS! Plus people respond better when they actually think our message would be beneficial to them :) Get excited about the joy and happiness that the Gospel brings YOU! 

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)

We had the opportunity yesterday to speak in 2 Sacrament meetings! I love speaking, especially on "Hastening The Work"! It get's the members excited about the Work and we always have multiple people coming up to us after asking us if we can teach their family/ friends! :) Member trust is key. If we work with the members, that's when the real work gets done. The thing I love most about speaking (and teaching) though.. is when you can literally feel the Spirit testifying through you. It's an amazing feeling. We are merely vessels for the Spirit to work through.

Being on a mission.. has made me realize that i never ever ever want to leave this wonderful Church and Gospel. We are currently working with this guy named Jay. He was raised in the Church but stopped going when he was a teenager. He got into a lot of bad things, but is now trying to make his way back to the Lord. Working with Jay (and many many others that have gone astray, but have now realized that the Gospel does bring true happiness) has made me realize that that's all this Gospel does. It brings true and everlasting happiness. That's the purpose of life.. to be happy. I know this Gospel teaches the truth, but even if it wasn't true, living the standards of the church would be a perfect way to raise a family. It makes us happy.

 "..[M]en are, that they might have joy." (2 Nephi 2:25)

So this week we have once again made it around to the Samoan ward's turn to feed us dinner. Have you ever tasted taro? It's a root that they eat like potatoes.. It's actually not too bad.. maybe a little bland is all.. We have it with every meal they serve us! It's an acquired taste i think. I love the Samoan people! They always send us home with all the leftovers! :) They treat us well.

I know this Gospel blesses families. If you know a family member or friend who currently isn't experiencing these Gospel blessings, it is my invitation to you, to get excited about sharing the Gospel and show them how much it can truly bless them. Another invitation.. if you don't a copy of Preach My Gospel, i invite you to do so! It is a great tool for not only us missionaries, but members too! :)

Thanks to everyone for the wonderful emails and letters, i enjoy them :) 

Hope all is well! Keep up the great work, stay busy, and stay safe! :)

Much Love,

~Elder Carroll

My favorite scripture this week:  2 Nephi 30:7 - "..as many as shall believe in Christ shall also become a delightsome people."