Return With Honor!

The Smith Siblings

More from the Smith Baptism

Saying Good Bye to Fortunat

Dear Family,

Well this is the last weekly email I'll be sending out. How thankful I have been to serve here in the Nation's Capital. Soon to think it will all be memories. There will be things I miss, other not so much. I'm thankful for a companion who helped pushed me to the end, to keep me working and busy. But most importantly I'm thankful for the relationship with my Heavenly Father I have been able to build. He has helped me through the rough times, rejoiced with me through the happy times. 

Rejoicing moment, this weekend the Stewart kids got baptized. To think just a few months ago as we taught their mother, they were all hiding in their rooms. Now saying goodbye to them as members of the church. The ward has been fantastic at helping us fellowship people into the gospel. I cannot think of a Sunday where we had someone there and no one talked to them. Members saw a new face and made it a familiar one. They truly showed their love and support at the baptism. I had the honor of baptizing Marcus and Andre (A story all within itself). Elder Chamberlain had the pleasure to baptize Kayla and Kamille. There is this vigor spreading through the ward with missionary work. 

Hard Moment, Boy do I not enjoy saying goodbye to people. This last week has been a rollercoaster of emotions, excitement, peace, sadness, happiness and so many others. I got to say goodbye to the Perez family, the Harris family, the Stewart/Middleton family, Fortunat, the Smiths, and so many others. Every time fighting back tears as I bid them a farewell. Truly I have come to love the people out here, the members, investigators, people on the street, those who oppress, and my companions. 

How lucky we have been to have a House of the Lord so close with a visitor Center. The spirit who leads the elect to this gospel, testifies of truth, comforts us when needed. I have enjoyed being able to take our investigators to the V.C. To allow them to feel of the sacred spirit that is there. I am thankful for the opportunity I had to see Gildas get sealed to his wife for time and eternity. For the opportunities we had to go and attend sessions there. The push of the mission to get recent converts to the temple.

This gospel is true. It is for everyone. I love how Nephi puts it in 2 Nephi 26:33, "33 For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile." Being here in the melting pot of the world, never knowing who could answer the next door you knock on. I've seen it affect people from all around the globe. Anywhere from England, to Congo, to Bangladesh, to Brazil, to Central America, to Gabon, to Nigeria. 

I know that this is God's church once again established on the earth. That we can be cleansed of sin through the atonement of Jesus Christ, and that the Lord has a plan for each one of us. I am thankful for these two years that I've had out here and hope to continue on the path of Discipleship.

Love,

Elder Bentley