NINE HOURS

This week has been the most stressful week of my entire life!  On Tuesday, we had district meeting and planning for teaching in zone conference that took up the whole day.  Wednesday, we went to Crestview for MLC (missionary leadership council) and that took up the whole day.  Thursday, we had zone conference.  Friday, we had interviews, and found out we are to have a zone training each transfer as well as zone conference, we also had to deal with a broken car in the zone, so now we are in a car share with the other elders.... anyways, it has just been a very very stress filled week!! 

Even though we only had 9 proselyting hours this week, we taught a total of 9 lessons and set 4 baptismal dates!!  Last week I talked about how a member wanted us to teach her friend and we taught her the plan of salvation, well this week we taught her the restoration, and she asked "what makes your church different from the rest" and so we brought up the priesthood authority and committed her to be baptized and she accepted!  Then her son said "What's baptism?" and she taught him about it and  he wants to be baptized as well! AND this member has more people for us to teach, they are amazing!!  They have been moved in for 2 weeks now and have gotten us so many people to teach, I hope to be like them when I get home!

THEN we went to taught another guy, Travis Bynog (not the guy that came to church), and his wife, with their friends, who are members, and taught the plan of salvation.  We talked about the celestial kingdom and ways that we get there (church pray baptism, read, service) and then asked them what they would be willing to do to get there and they said "anything!"so we committed them to be baptized, and they want us to teach their two kids as well!

I have recently learned that I am a very very VERY small part in this work.  All I do is show up and teach, but the Lord is preparing so many people to receive the gospel!  All the people that I have had the opportunity to help get to baptism have just been incredibly prepared, and this is no different for these 2 families!  The Lord is doing the preparing and all I have to do is be diligent and be patient.  I think that's how it is with anything, if we are diligent in doing our best, then the Lord will take care of the rest!  He has a perfect plan and wants to bless us, we just have to show him that we are willing to receive the blessings.

Even though this week was super stressful, it was amazing!  The Lord is working wonders in the Panama City area and I am so thankful that I am able to be a part of it!

I love y'all and hope you have a great week!

Elder Schipaanboord