Last Week of the Transfer!

8/18/14

Family and Friends,
    What an amazing opportunity it is to be a missionary in the Washington Kennewick Mission!  This week has been absolutely fantastic and full of spiritual experiences. A lot of our finding techniques has been tracking therefore we have been soaking it up in the sun this past week.  I feel immensely grateful to have a car because I can hardly walk from door to door without panting!  I've truly grown a deep love for the people here in Warden, Washington.  Through the experiences I've shared with my companion, I have felt my testimony grow and realize the necessity of teaching with the Spirit. It's interesting to see when the spirit is present in the lesson and when it is not. The atmosphere of the room is completely altered when the spirit is next to you providing you with a companion that can testify to your investigators.
    Last night, we had the opportunity to meet with Adan.  Adan is one of our investigators that we found tracking.  We had the opportunity to teach a spiritual lesson about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how it could bless him in his life. The spirit was present.  Soon after, Adan's brother walked in and insisted on sharing several biblical verses about why our church is incorrect. The spirit....was instantly drawn from the room. My companion and I shared several verses and testified of the truthfulness of our message in a respectful manner, but this gentleman was quite persistent to say the least.  It allowed me to realize the importance of standing in holy places.  On or off the mission, we always must strive to dwell in places where you can feel comfortable and uplifted.  When we fail to do so, we will notice a light in our life taken away that was present previously.
    We've been blessed with several new investigators here in Warden and we know that as we continue to act in the faith the Lord will continually shower blessings upon us.  We've noticed a way to accomplish this is through the power of prayer.  We have a little 10 year girl investigator named Mariana.  Mariana is in a tough situation because she wants to be baptized, but the dad will not agree to the idea.  We asked the mom (Member) to pray and to approach the father and bare a simple testimony to him this week.  Simple truths are the most powerful.  For this reason my companion and I have been praying on a non-stop basis to soften the heart of the father.
    I know that this church is true. There is no doubt in my mind that with this gospel comes change. Through acting in faith brings about change.  Through Jesus Christ WE WILL be changed. I love you all so much and miss you greatly. Have a great week.

Love always,
Elder Smith