This week was on e of the most spiritual on my mission so far. We taught three great lessons and the work is really progressing here in the Manchestetr West area. I am so grateful to be a missionary. And I just want to bare my testimony that I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. We had the opportunity to go to Nauvoo and do a temple session and we also went to Carthage jail. IT was so great. Probably the longest day of my life, but one of the most spiritual as well. But I am getting ahead of myself.
On Monday we had a lesson with Jose. Jessica and Destiny weren't there because Destiny wasn't feeling well so they went to Jessica's mom's to see what they could do for her. So we just had a lesson with Jose. He is such a funny guy. And although He has a thick Mexican accent, we don't have too much trouble understanding what he is saying. But everything went so well. We talked with him for about 45 minutes. Just about life and how things were going. He told us that he lost his job the day before and that he was looking for employment. We talked about the different things that were keeping him and Jessica from getting married. And from what I understand, here is the dealio:
Jose isn't actually a citizen of the United States. And so he needs a passport in order to get a marriage license. But his passport expired recently. So in order to get a new one he has to drive all the way to Omaha Nebraska which is about 300$ of gas money. Which he doesn't have. And even if he did have that money, He isn't even sure they would allow him to get a new passport. So that is what lies ahead of us. A pretty hefty roadblock. But we invited him to baptized on February 22nd. Which hopefully gives us enough time to figure out the marriage and everything else. The lesson went so well though. Jose is feeling things he has never felt before. On Thursday, we had another lesson with Jose and Jessica (she was there this time). We were able to take them on a tour of the church to get them more comfortable with how things were going to go. We talked about the importance of the Sacrament and what it all means. And we invited them to church on Sunday. Jessica is so desperate to come. And Jose really felt the Spirit as well. Brother Christensen went along with us and told us that the lesson was one of the most spiritual he has ever been in. he did most of the teaching too btw which was awesome.
On Thursday we also stopped by a referral from a less active woman in the ward. Her father's name is Richard and He is super great. We were able to knock on the door, and teach him the Restoration when He invited us in. We asked him in the lesson, after we recited the first vision and the spirit was strong, what his feelings of Joseph Smith were. And he told us that he knew Joseph Smith was a prophet. We invited him to pray about it and to be baptized. It was such a Spiritual experience. On Saturday we woke up at four to drive down to the Nauvoo temple. Elder Davis who was serving here in Manchester with us, was a trial missionary. Which means that they just send ya out in the mission that you live in for 3 months to see if you can handle being a missionary. And then, based on the Mission President's decision they are recommended for full time missionary service. And he was called to St. George. Which is awesome because Elder Wood is from there and He trained him! Anyways, Elder Davis hadn't yet gone through the temple. So we were able to go and be there for him. Elder Wood was his escort. I love Nauvoo. The temple is gorgeous and the Spirit there is so strong. After the session and taking a tour of everything, we went to Carthage jail where the prophet was murdered. And the Spirit there was even stronger. What an amazing place to be. I got to stand right next the window that the prophet fell out of when he was shot. I envisioned what it would have been like to see the mobs coming up, I felt the bullet hole in the door. It was such an awe inspiring experience. And it was so spiritual. I love this missions. I get to walk where the Prophet who brought me here walked. It was amazing. And I wish these computers wold let me send pictures.
Sunday, we sat through Fast and Testimony meeting for about a half hour nervous out of our minds because Jose and Jessica hadn't showed up yet. And then... they came!!! It was the best feeling in the world. I've never felt so relieved in my life. It was so amazing. They had a fantastic time and they really felt the spirit. Jose shared in Gospel Principles class that he had never felt the way He was feeling. He is growing and changing and I am so happy for him and Jessica. I love you all so much!
Please stay safe. It's negative 20 degrees to day with a windchill factor of about negative 40. So mission president wants us all to not to proselyte today. It's crazy! I love you all so much. Please stay safe and keep warm!
Love,
Elder Caleb James Wardle
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