Conversions--The Best Valentine's Day Gift for a Missionary!

Jon is preparing to be baptized on February 14th! He has had some trouble coming to church due to being out of town, but he came for the first time Sunday and really enjoyed it. His sister is a member and the company he works for is based out of Provo, so many of his coworkers are also members which was what got him originally interested. He was already reading the Book of Mormon when the sisters first met him and he has been progressing ever since. He always makes sure he understands the concepts that we teach, but he accepts them and commits to live by the commandments. He has big changes that he has and will continue to make, but that's part of the whole process. It's a process that we all do throughout our whole lives as a part of enduring to the end.

Tori is also being baptized on Valentine's day! This week she was introduced to some anti-Mormon literature which we had to take the time to clear up. She is doing really well now though. Her preacher at home was like a father figure to her and he is not happy about the decision she is making. She hopes her mom won't side with him, but the lack of support from her family has been hard on her. The other day she told us how she feels like everything is going wrong right now - the first time she has put such a priority on religion. She got in a car accident, strained muscles in her knee and is now on crutches, in the middle of the hardest semester of her life and other small things that add to her stress. She asks, "Why is it so hard now that I am putting Him first?" That's a hard question to answer, but one that seems to be asked by a lot of investigators. Satan hates the decisions that they are making and provides that opposition to the wonderful thing they are taking part in. I know that the Lord blesses us through His tender mercies that he gives us when we makes sacrifices, but patience is also a quality that is going to be tested, tried and eventually developed. Tori knows that this gospel is Jesus Christ's and that it is true. She is going to be a strong member.

We have been focusing on part-member families since I have been here and we had a great success last Tuesday. We met with the Street family and had a lesson on the apostasy and then watched the 20 min. restoration film. The father of the family who is not a member was the first to comment after the video saying, "I guess I need to read to Book of Mormon." It was so spiritual. He then went on to talk about how he knew that he needed to do it with a sincere heart and real intent and then eventually, everyone needed to find out for themselves. We didn't even have to guide him to recognize that, but the spirit taught him and that's always the best way.

I love being a missionary! This area is doing so well and we are seeing a lot of success. This church is so exciting and I love having the opportunity to share the hope that Jesus Christ can bring.

Love you all!!