Spring is in the Air!

Eating the left over desserts after the party.

Dear Family!

This week we have had a couple of great opportunities to share the gospel in our teaching appointments. Also have had the chance to use our building tools. So you could say it has been a great week! Beside the fact the weather has dropped back down to cold, and the possible winter storm warning this week.

Three lessons that were great this week:

Thursday Night we went and met with Brother Pinkard and Tierny. The Vogels usually accompany us to these lessons, but they were booked for the night. We got there and started to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Brother Pinkard is less active and works on Sunday so he isn't able to make it to church. He did sacrifice his lunch break to meet with us though so sacrifices are apparent by them. We received the great news that he will have every other Sunday off because he just trained a new guy at his work. We then taught as much as we could before he had to return to work. The miracle showed when he came into the chapel Sunday morning ready for Work. Tierny wasn't there, but it's great to have that seed springing forth and bearing fruit.

The Second lesson that is worth mentioning was the Plan of Salvation Lesson with Melissa Friday Night.We have been trying to find fun creative ways to teach her since she is young. Over the last week or so we have been inviting members to help us with that. We invited specific families to meet at the church and set up a room based on principles of the Plan. We knew it was going to be great when Brother Smith walked in with Melissa and all the members were already there set up.

We got everyone into the Relief Society room and opened with a prayer. First we went to the Pre-earth life. Sister Close the Primary President had a nice little table set up to teach Melissa. We got to sit on the sides and testify towards the end of Each section. Next the Harris Family talked about our life here on earth and the Atonement. It is great to see the interaction between the Smiths and Harris families that had occurred.

Next we moved into the Spirit World where Brother Merrill (deacon) taught Melissa about that area. Sister Merrill let him do all the teaching so that was cool to see his preparation. We then were all "resurrected" and got judged. The Activity days leader brought in all the activity day girls to come interact with it. They did a great job. Last but not least, Brother Barnes (WML) gave a nice overview of the kingdoms where he had a review and taught it very simply. 

Needless to say the ward crushed it at this lesson. It was especially great because Sister Vogel made treats for the end and everyone got to partake of the delicious cookies she made. Brother Smith was astonished to see how many people cared enough about them to show up and help out. It was a great testimony builder for Melissa and Brother Smith. (Exciting news, he got the Melchizedek Priesthood yesterday so we just need to get a date for the baptism!)

Saturday Morning we went to go drop off a bible to a referral. Little did we know the Lord has been Preparing her for this gospel. Three years ago she ran into missionaries in NW D.C. And was taught a little about the Book of Mormon. (Thank you for being diligent in your contacting) When we introduced it to her she was already familiar with it. We shared the Restoration with her, as we taught she would write down scriptures we would read, pages to study, and the date of her accepted baptism date. She also mentioned to us that she was taking a trip to Rochester to visit her family up there. We pointed her towards Palmyra when she gets there to check it out and to feel of that spirit. (She goes at the end of this month) 

So yeah you could say it was a great week. To end Saturday we had the opportunity to go to the temple to see Vivian do baptisms for the dead. What a great feeling to see converts in the temple! I know that the temple can make it so our families can be together forever. As we keep our mind focused to the Temple we will find happiness. Habakkuk 2:20 "20 But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him." The Temple is the House of the Lord and we can feel of his love and spirit there.

Hope everyone has a great week! 

Love,

Elder Bentley