A Fight Worth Going Through

Hello Everyone,

This week I had the chance to attend zone conference, continue to teach with various ups and downs, and have a generally normal missionary week here in the Santa Clara 6th ward.  For zone conference, the Eugene, Santa Clara, Springfield, and Corvallis zones were all able to attend at a nearby church building.  It was a good meeting and fun to be able to talk to the various missionaries I have seen around the OEM.  It’s interesting though, the closer I come to the end the fewer and fewer faces I recognize at these meetings, but it was great to be able to rejoin with those I have served with.  We also learned that for my last zone conference, Elder Echo Hawk who spoke at the last general conference will be touring the mission.

On Monday we had a surprise visit from one of the previous Elders I have served around quite a bit, Elder Henley.  He stopped by for the night due to him having to bring in his car from Coquille to receive Tiwi repairs.  It was nice to be able to compare notes with him and see how he and rest of the mission is doing.  Definitely a tender mercy.

Teaching wise, we have continued to teach and minister to the two part member families I have mentioned in the past.  We were able to discuss things such as the Priesthood and the various auxiliaries, have one of them attend a baptism another ward was having, and be able to create a plan to help the other family to overcome smoking.  It has been a slow process, but is a fight worth going through.

This week is the last week of the transfer and by Friday or Saturday we will have transfer news.  Serving in Santa Clara has been a very rewarding experience, especially as I have gotten to train Elder Daugherty and show him the ropes of missionary work.  I know that this Gospel is true and that as we rely on Christ we can receive strength and help through our trials.  The character of Christ is to turn outward and to invite others to come and learn of Him, and I know that as we as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints do likewise miracles will follow.  Thank you for all of the support!

Elder Baxter