had two baptisms this weekend but I'm mostly going to talk about the one
in Fred.
Lizzy Odom got baptized Saturday evening. We started the trek down
there from Houston around 3:30 with a member who has never heard of
Fred Texas. He was in for a treat. After the two hour drive there, we
managed to make it with about a half hour before the baptism. Coming
into Fred was such a surreal experience. I couldn't believe I had
served here before. Coming into a past area is like remembering a
dream, my fellow missionary friends will understand. But we made it to
the chapel and to my absolute Joy the first person I saw was Brother
Odom. He gave me a huge bear hug and I felt like I had never left. We
were a little early, so I was able to amend some loose ends with
members haha. Nah they all forgave me but I absolutely loved being
able to visit with them again. Part of my heart will forever be in
Fred.
The baptism had a really good turnout. I'm not kidding the baptism was so good,
the spirit was so there so strong I cried a little I'm glad no one saw lol. I
honestly don't have the words to describe the baptism it went so well.
The Odom family was such a blessing to my mission and as I reflected
on it on the way home to Houston I was just filled with the spirit. I
thought about it and the spirit confirmed to me that the Odoms were
one of those reasons I was sent to this mission. I could only say a
prayer of thanks to Heavenly Father for letting me experience this and
gaining such a wonderful family to call my friends.
We had some other great experiences with teaching. We've been bringing
members out to lessons with investigators and we've seen so many
miracles where the investigator just gains an instant friend in the
church. For instance, we are teaching this older gentleman named
George. Most of his family and friends aren't close so he doesn't get
to talk to many people. His daughter is a member and he's interested.
We brought over a member to help teach and it just so happened they
are like the same person. Both are Vietnam vets so they told stories
to each other. They just hit it off swell. We let the member do most
of the teaching because it would have a greater impact - the lesson went perfectly!
Today's spiritual thought is centered around the covenant of baptism
as explained in Mosiah 5:4-9.
4 And it is the faith which we have had on the things which our king
has spoken unto us that has brought us to this great knowledge,
whereby we do rejoice with such exceedingly great joy.
5 And we are willing to enter into a covenant with our God to do his
will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he
shall command us, all the remainder of our days, that we may not bring
upon ourselves a never-ending torment, as has been spoken by the
angel, that we may not drink out of the cup of the wrath of God.
6 And now, these are the words which king Benjamin desired of them;
and therefore he said unto them: Ye have spoken the words that I
desired; and the covenant which ye have made is a righteous covenant.
7 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be
called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for
behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that
your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are
born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.
8 And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head
whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby
salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the
name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God
that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives.
9 And it shall come to pass that whosoever doeth this shall be found
at the right hand of God, for he shall know the name by which he is
called; for he shall be called by the name of Christ.
Love,
Elder Blackburn
honestly don't have the words to describe the baptism it went so well.
The Odom family was such a blessing to my mission and as I reflected
on it on the way home to Houston I was just filled with the spirit. I
thought about it and the spirit confirmed to me that the Odoms were
one of those reasons I was sent to this mission. I could only say a
prayer of thanks to Heavenly Father for letting me experience this and
gaining such a wonderful family to call my friends.
We had some other great experiences with teaching. We've been bringing
members out to lessons with investigators and we've seen so many
miracles where the investigator just gains an instant friend in the
church. For instance, we are teaching this older gentleman named
George. Most of his family and friends aren't close so he doesn't get
to talk to many people. His daughter is a member and he's interested.
We brought over a member to help teach and it just so happened they
are like the same person. Both are Vietnam vets so they told stories
to each other. They just hit it off swell. We let the member do most
of the teaching because it would have a greater impact - the lesson went perfectly!
Today's spiritual thought is centered around the covenant of baptism
as explained in Mosiah 5:4-9.
4 And it is the faith which we have had on the things which our king
has spoken unto us that has brought us to this great knowledge,
whereby we do rejoice with such exceedingly great joy.
5 And we are willing to enter into a covenant with our God to do his
will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he
shall command us, all the remainder of our days, that we may not bring
upon ourselves a never-ending torment, as has been spoken by the
angel, that we may not drink out of the cup of the wrath of God.
6 And now, these are the words which king Benjamin desired of them;
and therefore he said unto them: Ye have spoken the words that I
desired; and the covenant which ye have made is a righteous covenant.
7 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be
called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for
behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that
your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are
born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.
8 And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head
whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby
salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the
name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God
that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives.
9 And it shall come to pass that whosoever doeth this shall be found
at the right hand of God, for he shall know the name by which he is
called; for he shall be called by the name of Christ.
Love,
Elder Blackburn
No comments:
Post a Comment