January 14, 2013

Hello Family and Friends!

 

Crazy week in Highland Home! Sorry I wasn't able to write a whole lot last week - it was a hectic preparation day!

 

The biggest news is that we have four baptismal dates! E---, V---, S---and S--- (all investigators from when I was here before) have committed to be baptized (E--- on January 26th, V--- S-- & S--- on February 9th).

 

I was on exchange with Elder Tolman (one of our zone leaders) when we made the 4 commitments on Tuesday.  It was a really powerful day.  I  think he's from Lindon (maybe knows McGills?).  E---'s was initially this last Saturday (the 12th), so we taught her every day this week. Ended up pushing it back a couple weeks to give her time to breathe though.  It worked out really well because the early date gave her an opportunity to progress. Probably the happiest, most stressed out, and longest week of my mission so far. But I've survived :)   A lot of really spiritual experiences.

 

We've [also] been able to see V--- and her grandkids three times this last week. I saw them on Tuesday (when they committed to be baptized), and then Elder Cusick and I taught them on Wednesday and Thursday. V--- wasn't able to attend the Stake Conference broadcast cause she's back in the hospital. It was really impressive that S-- (her 12-year old grandson) found a ride and came anyways!

 

Big week for Alabama football! I know I've not really commented on sports or my "team affiliation" before now (thought I should focus on the missionary work) but I had a lot of "Bama Pride" after Monday night's game :)

 

Crazy weather this week! Highs in the upper 70s and Low 80s. Seriously!! We've been tempted to turn the AC on but it seems criminal to do that in January. It's supposed to get colder in the next few days though.

 

We had our "Regional Conference" broadcast which included the stakes in the Birmingham, Jacksonville, Baton Rouge and Little Rock Missions yesterday, together with Stake Conference the night before. Elder Cook and Elder Scott spoke.

The main message from Stake Conference and the broadcast was teaching gospel principles in the home, and how the home should be the main place of gospel learning. They talked a lot about how the Book of Mormon is key and doing this, and how families should be reading the Book of Mormon together.

 

It was an exciting weekend for the Highland Home Branch. They organized a high priests group leadership yesterday. The branch now is pretty much now a functioning ward, with attendance averaging in the mid-80s each Sunday.

 

As you know, Elder Christoffersen is coming to the branch soon. There will be some other General Authorities coming with him. 

 

Well, that's all I have time for now. Keep E-- and V---  and S--- and S-- in your prayers! I love you all!

 

Elder Coleman Madsen