Week 35

This past week was good, many small miracles and tender mercies from the Lord, and several great spiritual experiences!

Elder Hulet and I were able to get in to a family's home that missionaries have tried to get in and talk to for a while now; we happened to be there at the right place at the right time! The mother came across some anti-Mormon stuff a while ago and so ever since then she no longer comes to church or affiliates with the LDS Church. She was even the Reliet Society President at one point! Her husband was Elders Quorum President at one time too, and him and his sons would be active, but they stay home because of her. She happened to be in a good mood probably because it was her son's 16th birthdayand was willing to talk to us. She's very nice and hospitable. We all had a good time together eating ice cream and brownies. I am VERY grateful that we were able to come into their home and interect with them! 

We also had an awesome lesson with a less-active lady. She feels depressed and struggles to feel that God loves her but instead doesn't lover her as much as other people. Elder Hulet and I both testified to her that Heavenly Father does love her and will always love her, even if she makes mistakes. The Holy Ghost's presence was felt very strongly in that moment and we all got a little misty-eyed. The crazy part though was when Elder Hulet had the thought of showing her the video of Elder Holland giving his talk this last conference. And it was so fitting, it was just what she needed! She said she felt a lot better after watching it. I know without a doubt that Elder Hulet was divinely inspired to share that video with her!

We had the baptismal service for Jennifer on Saturday! Another elder who served here a transfer before I came here, Elder Solomon, came out with his companion Elder Anderson all the way from Lucerne Valley to baptize Jennifer. It all went well; I know the Holy Ghost was there at her baptism because I could feel peace and love during the service. That evening the wind really picked up and it was nice and cool. We had dinner at the home of our new bishop, and let me tell ya, he knows how to smoke some meat real good! At church on Sunday we participated in the confirmation of Jennifer receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. Her and her husband have frequent migraines that are painful, and he doesn't do well outside if it's hotter than 75 degrees. But ever since the baptism the day before they had both been feeling great, so great in fact that they both came to the second hour of church (Sunday School) (they usually only stay for sacrament meeting). Elder Hulet and I were assigned to teach the lesson in Gospel Principles, which just happened to be...BAPTISM!!!! It all fell perfectly into place! 

After church we stopped by a potential investigator's home to see if we could teach her, and she opened the door and let come right on in! She (Latina)  has read part of the Book of Mormon before, and I felt she was quite receptive and open to what we taught her. We comitted her to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it, and she said she would! So now she's our new investigator! We were truly blessed throughout the week! Not to say that our week was all happy and joyful the whole time; we still are finding people to teach, still tracting and finding through ward members. But we are starting to see the blessings from our efforts to be exactly obedient, and also trying our best to find more people to teach. I love this mission! And I love you all! I invite you, like Latina, to, in the words of Elder Garrett W. Gong of the Seventy said this past conference: "...open your heart to the Book of Mormon, again, for the first time. Please pray with real intent , again, for the first time."

The Book of Mormon really is the word of God, and does testify of Jesus Christ as our Savior and Redeemer. I love you all and hope you have a great week!

-Elder Ruiz

Another Great sunset in the high desert.

Cruising with Elder Hulet!