I hope this e-mail finds each of you happy and well. This past week was a very successful one both for my area, and for the mission as a whole. The Texas Dallas Mission is absolutely roaring into the summer! Elder Layton and I had 5 investigators at church tomorrow and set 2 baptismal dates last week. Our dates are with a couple whose names are Nathan and CJ. Their date is for June 11th(thought Dad might like that). I'm not sure if I told you all about them already, but they are such great people. I love their family to death! Nathan consults for churches in their development, training, and administration of volunteers. CJ is teaches 8th grade. They have a girl and 2 boys, all 3 under baptismal age. A member family in the Heath ward invited Nate, CJ, their kids, and us over for dinner Saturday night. Following dinner, we taught a lesson about the Plan of Salvation. CJ listened so intently and seemed so excited at the end of the lesson. I think things really clicked for her. Nate is extremely analytical, so the fact that the Plan makes perfect sense is a huge draw for him.He is just having a hard time wrapping his mind around the nature of the Godhead and our relationship with the Savior. He said it doesn't seem wrong, but it's so different from what he's been taught all his life, it is hard for him to fully embrace it so quickly. They have both committed to and are consistently reading the Book of Mormon together and individually along with saying their prayers to know if these things are true.
When we invited them to set a date for their baptism as a goal to work towards, Nate was unsure. I bore testimony of the Savior and His love for us. I testified that baptism is ordained of God, and that if performed by the proper authority, is the gate by which we enter into the straight and narrow path that leads us back to our Father in Heaven. Elder Layton bore a supporting testimony and we sat in silence for a few moments to allow the Spirit to do the real teaching. After a few seconds of thinking, and no doubt being touched by the spirit which was incredibly strong in the room, Nate accepted the baptismal date. He expressed that he knew God would answer his prayers and that if this was what He wanted him to do, he would be ready by then.
I will keep you all posted on their progress as their date draws nearer. I'm hoping I don't get transferred in 2 weeks, so I can continue to be involved in teaching them. This upcoming transfer has me a little stressed. Rockwall is now tied as my longest standing area, and at the end of this transfer will be the longest I've been in one place so far. Being the mover and shaker I am, I'm predicting I won't be here much longer...
I'm so glad to hear that Sara and Sy are both doing well. What an amazing blessing it is to have the priesthood alive on the earth. Miracles are a common occurrence and are directly influenced by the Lord's hand. I know that if we will just pray for and seek the awareness of such miracles we will not ceased to be amazed by how much the Lord blesses us. I love the opportunity I have to witness many of these miracles in the Lord's work. We really are blessed when we are doing what is expected of us. We have been given the instructions and commandments needed to progress to perfection and to return to the presence of our loving Eternal Father and our Savior Jesus Christ. The knowledge we have as Latter-day Saints is priceless and deserves to be shared with everyone. The most powerful testimony we can share is that of our example. When others see the love we have for one another, and the fulfillment we receive from living the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they will want to know why. "Preach the gospel at all times -- If necessary, use words."(Saint Francis of Assisi)
I love you all very much and I can't wait to hear from you in the coming week! Until next time; be good, stay safe, and keep the faith!
Love,
Elder Michael P. Lyman
Texas Dallas Mission
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