We have been given a new direction from our Mission President. He came down last week to give us a new focus. Originally he had directed us to contact the Stake President and do what ever the Stake President wanted. So now, instead of trying to spread us between two Spanish wards, one on each side of the Mississippi River. We get to continue to work with the ward we've been doing most of our work in anyway. This is a good thing! Especially since we've only made it over to the other side of the river once. We have been too busy on this side and now they have their own senior missionary couple.
We are excited to continue to work with Bishop Garcia, which is a wonderful blessing. He is a great Bishop and loves the members of his ward so much. We can see that in his eyes when he discusses their specific needs with us. His wife has been such a blessing to Michelle and we continue to appreciate their full dedication to serving the Lord.
So we just go around telling everyone we meet about the Church and that's ok. That's why we're here, to share the gospel. The only problem is, that the only people that usually will talk with us speak English. Our new direction is to focus only in Spanish. Many of the Hispanics have suggested that we are secretly from the CIA or Immigration. In a way, I guess we look the part. Don is always wearing a white shirt and tie and I'm in a dress. Hopefully we will be able to overcome this and the Hispanics will open their doors to us.
We had Zone Conference again this week. And yes, our Zone got the trophy for the most baptisms in the mission. Our Zone Leader expressed his feelings like this. He said, "I'm just grateful for spiritual exceptions. We wouldn't have gotten this trophy without spiritual exceptions." What is a "spiritual exception" you ask? If there is some urgency to baptize the individual, then the missionaries can ask for a spiritual exception to baptize them sooner. The Mission President's closing message to us as missionaries was to "Baptize Faster, Baptize More People, and Baptize More Often." The Mission has set a goal of 100 baptisms during the month of December and they're working on having more spiritual exceptions.
We had our last group New Member Meeting today. It went really well and the members did the entire cleanup. They've been picking up more of the workload each week. Which is what our goal was. Teaching by example, especially since we don't speak their language.
We did get some sad news. One of the missionaries that got transferred last month got into an accident over the weekend. He was on his bike and got hit by a car. He has broken his back and many of the missionaries have been fasting for him. If you can keep Elder Fife and his family in your prayers, that would be wonderful.
We love the Lord and all of God's children here in New Orleans. We love the English members and will miss helping them in the Jefferson Ward. We continue to pray that the spirit will lead us to always do as the Savior would do for others, whether they speak English or Spanish.
My scripture study has been focusing on Doctrine & Covenants 121 and 122 this week. Last Christmas, my sister, Brooke gave me a calendar with pictures in it of Joseph Smith. This month's picture portrays Joseph kneeling with tears streaming down his face. This month in particular that calendar has been a source of strength to me.
I know that the Church is true. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. He restored the Church in these Latter-days and translated the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is true. We have a prophet of God that leads the Church today, that prophet is Gordon B. Hinckley. I love serving the Lord.
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