4/28/14

Sounds like an awesome week!  Way to go Ellie for doing softball!  I miss playing baseball a lot and being determined to hit the ball every time I got up to bat!  Who asked Alex to the prom?  That's very exciting!  I feel like I just went...Weird.  So, all of your questions pretty much are answered with Michael's baptism!  This is my favorite part of missionary work, helping someone enter into the waters of baptism!  You really do develop a love for the people you teach even though you have never met them before!  Michael was baptized and confirmed a member yesterday because he was leaving to move to Utah the next day.  It is going to be a five day trip!  He will be in Provo!  The spirit was so strong at Michael's baptism.  We knew, everyone there knew, that what Michael was doing was the step God wanted Michael to take in his life.  I was privileged to be a witness and it's something special to be sure the ordinance is done correctly.  I feel like I was able to focus on the ordinance more.  When Michael came up out of the water he just stood there speechless, then smiled and hugged his former college cross country coach who baptized him.  He looked at us and smiled too!  That's the greatest feeling when the person you have taught recognizes and feels the spirit.

During the time Michael and Brother Tucker were changing back into church dress, Elder Skinner and I had the opportunity to teach the Restoration.  This was my first time teaching it at a baptism!  We had another one of our investigators there too.  Wayne Smith, he's very sincere like Michael.  Wayne is scheduled to be baptized on May 17th!  As we taught the Restoration, the Spirit was there with us and filled up the room and it was there already, it just grew stronger.  Wayne had tears in his eyes as we bore testimony of the Restoration of the Gospel and the Priesthood.  We connected it with the Book of Mormon and the reason as to why we were serving our mission.  Michael also shared his testimony of coming to know of the truthfulness of the Gospel.  The day and week couldn't have been any more perfect!

I was able to also give a talk on the Holy Ghost.  I had things brought to my remembrance as I prepared myself!  I was able to share with Michael how to receive the Holy Ghost is a commandment and we can be worthy of his Spirit if we remain worthy to our baptismal covenants.  I also told him how to recognize when we receive promptings from the Holy Ghost.  It will be something that will not go away, or be erased from our minds.  It is the spirit speaking to our spirit and it leaves a distinct impression on us.

I am excited for Michael and I can't wait to hear more from him!  He gave me a space pen before he left and that thing is pretty cool.  Also, yes, I am still with Elder Skinner.  We do receive transfer calls this Saturday though so we will find out if we are together for his final transfer!  I'm kind of hoping so and so does he!

I hope you got my pictures!  I sent them recently!  I love you all!

-Elder Austin Mounts