BRANDON'S BAPTISM!

Howdy y'all!!

Its been a great week!!! MUCHOS MILAGROS!! First off Brandon is getting baptized this Friday November 18th at 7pm!  

       Rewind a little bit to the beginning of the week. I am going to tell you a couple miracles that happened with Brandon.  We decided to go over to Brandon's house every day this past week and give him a scripture, along with a note from us, and a lemon and gum to help remind him that he can overcome his addiction to smoking and drinking!  HE DID IT!! HE QUIT!!!! (Miracle) Another miracle happened while we went on a walk with Brandon Thursday night and taught him more.  At the end of our walk while standing at the top of his driveway I had a feeling that I needed to ask him if he believed that this church was true.  So I said "Brandon do you believe this is the only true church"?  He paused and stumbled and said "I...don't...know..". I then asked him "Do you believe if you pray and ask God right now that question that He will answer your prayer?"  He thought for a second and said "Yes I do".  So he prayed right then, and as he prayed out loud I said a prayer in my heart that he would have the knowledge that this is the true church.  His prayer was so simple yet so powerful.  At the end we all stood there for what felt like an hour but was really maybe a minute, and the spirit was so strong. He said "Can I say something?"  He proceeded to tell us "I know it's true....I feel it in my heart....I feel warm, and peace....my whole body got the chills".  We all started crying (miracle). I know the Lord has been preparing him.  He is so ready!  On Sunday he was telling everyone about his baptism this week!  WE CAN'T WAIT!!!

       I hit my 9 month mark this week!! HALF WAY!  It's crazy to think I only have 9 more months as a set apart servant of Jesus Christ!!  We had exchanges this week and Sister West came to Lake Travis to be my companion for a day!!  We had a lot of great experiences and taught some wonderful people together and felt the spirit.  She is a wonderful missionary!  She has been out on her mission for almost a month now!  I love seeing her grow and learn a lot!  Sister Loveridge was able to go to Downtown Austin with Sister Jones and they were able to learn more from each other and have some great experiences as well!  I love all three of them!

 We were able to have a lot of lessons with some of the less active members in our ward!  I love meeting new people and helping them feel the spirit again! One of those families came to church on Sunday!!  I loved seeing their bright faces enter into the church all excited to come back!! It's really a neat thing to witness as a missionary! 

During District meeting this week we talked a lot about the importance of the Sacrament and how we can prepare ourselves during the week to partake of this Ordnance.   I would invite you all to re-read the talk given in this past General Conference in October 2016 Called "The Sacrament can help us be Holy" By Elder Peter F. Meurs.  

Also something I read this week during my studies was another talk given by Elder Carl B. Cook on Service. I asked myself this question "How can I come to know God more fully as I serve?"  He said, "As we serve, we draw closer to God.  We come to know Him in ways that we otherwise might not.  Our faith in Him increases.  Our problems are put into perspective. Life becomes more satisfying.  Our love for others increases, as well as our desire to serve.  Through this blessed process, we become more like God, and we are better prepared to return to Him."

As President Marion G. Romney taught: "Service is not something we endure on this earth so we can earn the right to live in the Celestial Kingdom.  Service is the very fiber of which an exalted life in the Celestial Kingdom is made."  

I love y'all!  I pray for you!  The Lord LOVES YOU!!  Have a great week!

Con Amor,

Hermana Mann