Week 13/104

June 6, 2016

Hello Everyone!

It's starting to get into the hotter times of the season. I got a
picture of our car's  thermometer reading at the hottest time this
week; I don't think I've ever experienced something so hot. It makes
it feel more like a missionary working in that temperature, even
though we really do less work in the heat. It makes you feel so
sluggish! It's okay though, because this week was awesome!

One of our investigators that we have been teaching for a while just
met with us again for the first time after a two week long trip to the
east coast. He is very well-versed in the Bible, and is a devout
Christian, and when he's in town, we visit with him every week and
talk about the Book of Mormon. For the past few lessons, it's felt
more like debating than teaching; we'll read something from the Book
of Mormon, or we'll say something that the Church teaches, and he'll
get caught up in all the specifics of it and try to refute the point
with something from the Bible; in the end, we wouldn't really come out
feeling that we accomplished anything. This week, however, was a bit
different. We ended up talking about the Holy Ghost, and how we must
be baptized in order to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. He, of
course, brought up something from the Bible; specifically, Acts 10
that talks about the baptism of the first Gentile. It mentions that
"while Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them
which heard the word." (v. 44) We then explained that the role of the
Holy Ghost is to bear witness of Christ and his teachings, and that he
does that to all who are seeking His truth, before they are baptized.
Then, once they are baptized, they receive the gift of the Holy Ghost,
which allows them to have the Spirit with them at all times. He
rebutted, saying that they had already believed, and that's why they
called for Peter; they didn't need this confirming witness. We then
asked him a pivotal question: "the first time we met you, why did you
let us in so eagerly? Did you already believe the words we would say
to you?" He thought about it, and began to realize that the Holy Ghost
had been prompting him to meet with us- we could see it in his eyes.
This was such a powerful lesson, and we started to see things click
together in his mind. Guys, the church is true!

We also had the chance to have one-on-one interviews with President
Toone. He goes to each zone in the mission for an afternoon and meets
with each missionary for about 10 or so minutes. I loved that
opportunity! Even though we will have only served for three months
together, I feel that part of the reason I was sent to Arizona was to
have him as my mission president. I'm sure I will feel the same way
about our new mission president when he arrives at the end of the
month, but I am certain that President Toone and I will be friends for
a very long time.

To give you an update on the scorpion sting: there are virtually no
remaining side effects; the only thing I've noticed is that the skin
under my big toenail is a shade darker than my other toe, but that's
it. I still think it's funny how my first encounter with a scorpion
was with the stinger. I didn't even see him until he'd been caught.

Apologies for the lack of pictures, most of the ones I was in this
week were taken by other missionaries, which means they have them. I
will get them next time!

Thank you all for your prayers and support! I can feel them every day.

Love,
Elder Grover