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Sept. 06, 2016

Hello Eberyone!

        Apologies for not writing last week; I'm still trying to figure out
getting a new iPad. For now, Elder Pavlakos is letting me use his.

        The Miller kids got baptized and confirmed! The baptism happened on
Friday, August 26th, and because our stake had stake conference the
following Sunday, they were confirmed yesterday in sacrament meeting.
They and their family are so happy! They had so many people from the
ward at the baptism to support them, including Brother Miller's
parents and brother. His parents were so thankful to us for helping
Matt and his family make a change for the better; they are members of
the Church, and have been praying for Matt and his brother to come
back to the church. Matt's brother even went back to Phoenix and found
the missionaries in his ward right after the baptism! The Spirit was
so powerful there. Now the next goal for the Millers is getting them
married, so Lauren can be baptized. That's where the problem lies,
though. We had a lesson with them shortly thereafter, and they had
presented the date of June 10, 2017! After we recovered from the
initial shock, we asked them if they had talked with the Lord about
it. They said they hadn't, and agreed that they should. We'll be
following up with them tomorrow. There's hope for them yet!

        We also had an orientation for an incredible opportunity that's
coming up! This last Friday, we gathered as a mission to here from two
people: Eric Johnson and Kenya Jackson, who are committee chair
members for a choir called the Saints Unified Voices. Some of you may
or may not recognize Kenya Jackson's name; and if you don't recognize
her name, you may recognize the name of her mother, and the director
of the choir itself - Gladys Knight. Yes, the frontman (or front
lady?) of Gladys Knight and the Pips is a member of the Church,
directs a Grammy award-winning gospel choir, and is coming to Tempe to
host a free event, which they aren't calling a concert, but a "bold
declaration of testimony through music", available to everyone who
lives in the area! I am so excited! If you know anyone in the Tempe
Arizona area, member of the Church or not, let them know about the
event. There's a picture that I'll send that shows the information
that they'll need.

       This Friday will be my six month mark! I have been a full-time
missionary away from home for six months, which means I am 25% done! I
don't really like that thought. I can't believe how fast this
wonderful time has gone by. I've become such a different person in
this time. I've learned to rely on the Book of Mormon as a testimonial
foundation for myself and for those I teach, I've become much more
disciplined in how I use my time, and, most importantly, I have
increased my trust in my Savior, Jesus Christ. If it's only been six
months, and I've still got 18 to go, I can't wait to see how I've
changed by the end!

All is well in Zion!

Love,
Elder Grover