Week 74

 

Hello friends, 

It's been a few, thanks for staying tuned. It's been a good couple of weeks. Lots of work getting done. A few stories and miracles I'd like to share:

That friend I talked about last email, his name is Les. Over 5 days we taught him 3 times and committed him to baptism, and he asked me to perform the ordinance on December 19. However, it became apparent he lives outside of our mission, and it was with heavy heart we introduced him to his home ward and bishop. Elder Shapiro and I will attend his baptism virtually. I thank God for the privilege of meeting and teaching a man so prepared. 

After leaving a member lesson, Elder Shapiro and I passed a man cleaning his aquarium on his front porch. We waved and he replied "Hi Elders", we immediately turned around and asked him some questions. He has a member Sister, and she told him to find us to give him a Priesthood blessing. We took him inside, met his wife, kids, and mother, and blessed him. He and his wife were in tears. We set a time to return, and last Saturday they fed us a Filipino meal and we taught him about the Book of Mormon. He kneeled with us in prayer, and is anticipating our next return. 

Two friends I had lost contact with last time I was here have replied to us. One, a middle eastern man, returned our call, and virtually attended church. We will visit him tonight. A young man, the son of a member, was on track to be baptized last spring. We spoke to him yesterday, and will be baptizing him in January.  

We've met many new friends and taught even more lessons this last week. We're excited to deepen our conversion and the conversion of the people of Modesto. Thank you for the birthday wishes. 20 isn't all it's cracked up to be, yet. We saw an apartment building on fire yesterday, on our way to deliver the sacrament. It rained most of the day, we've still been biking it though. Love y'all, teach the gospel. 

Elder Gneiting