Elder Collin DeWitt: WEEK TWENTY ONE

Hello!

This week was the best week yet.

We had Keenan's baptism on Saturday. He was baptized by his grandpa. He felt the Spirit really strongly, and seemed like a new kid for the rest of the day. Robin (Keenan's dad), is a non-member who married Sister Ellis, and he's a really great guy. We hope that he'll see the difference in Keenan's life, and will want to finally take the missionary discussions. Keenan's non-member biological mom came to the baptism, which was great as well. She doesn't really want to meet with the missionaries at all, but hopefully she'll see the change in Keenan as well. Keenan also received the Aaronic priesthood on Sunday after his confirmation in sacrament meeting, and the young men are super excited to have him.

Sasha, the guy who showed up to sacrament meeting, had the first lesson on Saturday! He had TONS of really great doctrinal questions. We met at Brother Irigoyen's house (the assistant ward mission leader), and he was able to give some really great comments, especially since he was a convert in Chile when he was Sasha's age. We're meeting with him again on Thursday, and we're planning on committing him to baptism! I think it'll go great. Get ready for more baptism pictures!

I'm very excited for next general conference to hear from President Nelson as the new president of the Church. I love him.

We're also losing our amazing ward mission leader in the 13th Ward. Brother Wenzel found a house in the Panorama Ward, and is moving this week. He's super awesome and I'm really mad at him for leaving us. I'll have to get a picture with him for next week's email.

So, this week was the best week yet. But it wasn't the best week yet because of the baptism, or the solid new investigator, or the good weather.

It was the best week yet, because I decided it was going to be the best. Missions are very hard, and life in general is very hard, and sometimes you feel like quitting or giving up. It's always easier to leave your responsibilities and just do what you want. But it's not worth it. The best times are hidden right around the corner of the hardest times. We can't get to them though, unless we walk around that corner. Sometimes we even have to climb over the wall, or dig under it. That's how we grow.

"Don't give up boy. Don't you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead...You keep your chin up. It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come."

-Elder Holland

October 1999 General Conference

I love you all. Thanks for your love and support.

Elder DeWitt