Hey y'all,
My e-mail comes a little bit earlier than normal today; the reason being that I received notice Saturday night that I'll be transferred on Tuesday. As a result, I have a lot to get done this morning in preparation for that transfer. The practice of President Smith is such that I don't know where I'll be transferred. I only know that I'm being doubled into whatever area it is I'm being sent. I have mixed feelings about the transfer, but life is change, especially as a missionary. I'm sure I'll have my work cut out for me in my next area like I did when I first arrived here in McKinney. We'll be 2 missionaries brand new to an area trying to figure things out and in a way, get the work re-established.
As far as the work here in McKinney goes, this week saw a lot of progress and success. It has been a very exciting and eventful week to say the least. We started to teach a girl named Amber again. She is 16 and had basically been dropped in the first 6 weeks we were here due to a lack of progression and willingness to keep commitments. She showed a renewed interest this last week and we were able to have a very powerful lesson with her. We discovered that her main concern was that her mother would not allow her to be baptized and we addressed it in the lesson. Yesterday we held a district-wide fast for her mother's heart to be softened and for Amber to have the courage to express to her mother her desire to be baptized. When we saw Amber on Sunday she told us that the fast was "definitely working". She seemed more optimistic and motivated than I think I've ever seen her. I am confident that she will have a baptismal date very soon. I won't be here to see it happen but I'm still extremely excited for her.
We picked up a new investigator on Sunday as well. His name is Anthony. Anthony is also 16 and is absolutely solid. He has been tentatively investigating since the beginning of summer and has been to a few sacrament meetings, a stake priesthood meeting, and mutual. He has expressed to us his desire to be baptized and we are more than happy to oblige! We'll be teaching him the first lesson tonight so I get to be there for one at least. I'm quite excited for that.
We had some of the customary appointment punches so we did a lot of tracting this week. One or two of the days seemed uncharacteristically challenging. We encountered some very aggressive opposition. It never ceases to amaze me at how blessed I am to some how keep a smile on my face and a calm presence as someone literally yells at me to my face in attempts to destroy what I hold most dear. My companion has a much shorter temper at times, so perhaps it's good that I'm able to stay clear headed enough to keep him from bashing with folks...
I had an awesome birthday Wednesday. Thanks so much to all of you who sent your birthday wishes and for all the goodies I received! I can't think of a better way to celebrate a birthday than as a missionary in the Lord's service. It is a little sad to think I only have one more birthday in the mission though. Time is still sprinting by at an alarming rate. I don't know about any of you but I'm legitimately concerned that I might sustain injuries from whiplash when this is all over!
I'd like to close my letter this week with my testimony. It is a simple one, and it is that God lives. I testify that Jesus is the Christ. It is only in and through His Atonement that we can be made free. There is a perfect plan laid for us, that if we follow, we cannot fail.
The Lord is preparing souls all around us. I would challenge each of you to pay special attention this week at those around you whom the Lord has placed in your path. Maybe they are ready to receive the Gospel. Maybe you are one of the steps in their spiritual journey to partaking of the blessings that the restored Gospel holds. Whatever the case may be, I promise that as you constantly strive to be an example of the believers in all you do and say, you will affect the lives of others in ways you cannot begin to comprehend. Do as king Benjamin exhorts us and impart of our substance to the needy, for those who are without the fullness of the Gospel are certainly in need.
I hope this letter finds each of you happy and well. Thank your for your continued prayers, thoughts, and words in my behalf. I can truly feel their uplifting influence as I work every day. I love each of you and pray for your continued safety and success as you exercise your agency righteously. Until next time; be good, stay safe, and keep the faith!
Love,
Elder Michael P. Lyman
Texas Dallas Mission
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