Saturday sure was a funny day for us missionaries. Our district is really close (especially after district p-day and zone conference together), so we had a lot of fun joking about Judgement Day and The Rapture on Saturday. Starting at 6:00, we were all calling each other and sending voice mail jokes about how we were so shocked that we weren't lifted up with "the elect." And we all figured maybe it was set at Pacific Standard Time, so we figured things would look better for us around 9:00...but we were sorely disappointed (haha, not!). It sure was fun though getting to explain to people who asked about it how that man had no credibility, that no man knows the specific time of any major event (such as the Second Coming), and that there is a living prophet on the earth today who is the only one that can receive that kind of revelation for the world.
This last week has been amazing! Thursday was Zone Conference, and it was such a spiritual day. I'm not sure if I've told you about Matt before, but he is an awesome member who was baptized about 3 years ago, is now 22, and is looking forward to serving a mission this year. He's been working with us often and we have really enjoyed helping him prepare to serve, and he came with us to Zone Conference (which was up in Agusta, Maine.) Gosh, Zone Conference was so amazing. We had some great doctrinal discussions, we got a bunch of new supplies for stuff we needed, I had a lot of fun getting to meet other missionaries and get to know them better, and I got to see/talk to President and Sister Wilkey again! Also, we had such a great time just getting to talk about things that we need to work on as a mission, and ways that we can do better in all that we do and see more success in our work. It was such an awesome day, and we left so spiritually fed and fueled towards missionary work! Afterwards we got to stop by Matt's uncle and aunt's house for dinner. We had our Zone Leaders with us, and we just had such a great evening with them talking about missionary work, what we do, and why we do it :)We've had some great lessons lately with investigators. Both are really set and on the right path towards baptism! It's especially amazing to see how much they already understand things such as how to pray and how to receive answers through prayer. It's amazing to see how people change when we teach them the gospel and they accept it into their lives.
Unfortunately though, one family we are working with still hasn't come to church (so we are still trying to help them develop the desire to do so), and abother family is moving to the Dominican Republic. So that was pretty sad this week, but we'll still do what we can to help them choose to come closer to Christ and His Gospel.
This last Sunday was so incredible. As we sat down for stake conference (it was broadcast from Salt Lake to our chapel in Georgetown), I felt like I was a part of this ward. I felt like I actually belonged -- like we were a family. Matt sat by us and later his Dad came too! It was a special day because both Matt and Michael Watson (the stake president's son to whom we are close) were both being ordained as Elders and receiving the Melchizedic Priesthood. So stake conference itself was already amazing, and afterwards we had such a great experience being there to support both Matt and Michael as they were ordained and as they now continue to prepare for their missions. Afterwards, we were invited to the a home for a small get-together and lunch. It was so great to be a part of their family/friend gathering; I felt so comfortable there, and I felt like I was actually loved, cared for, and welcomed. It's so great to feel this close to the members of our ward here. Plus another family from the Exeter area came down, and it was pretty funny how they instantly recognized my name.
After that get-together, we had the opportunity to go over to Matt's house where we had an afternoon of full of fun converstaions and a meal. It's so neat because his Mom, Dad, and brother are not members, yet since we've been here, we've gotten to know them a bit, and they've really opened up to us. Earlier this week, we got to go and help with some of their wood spliting/stacking, and it was a great opportunity for service, as well as a chance to build a bond with them. We love the family and really look forward to being able to share more of Christ's Gospel with them in a hopes that they will desire the truth and the blessings that come from it.
The rest of Sunday was so sweet with a meal at the another great family in our ward, and then a lesson at the Bishop's family home; we're teaching their youngest son before his baptism). So as you can see, we get fed WAY too much on Sundays, but we're not complaining :) it just means we have to go work out more :)
This week my testimony has grown so strong in so many different ways simply by studying the gospel and applying it more in my life. It is my prayer that you all will do the same, and see the blessings that come in your life as you share your growing testimony with others.
From New England with love,
Elder Dustin Carr
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