I Believe In Covenants

Mom,

Wow what a wonderful experience to spend time with the Brethren and other Auxiliary leaders. I'm so jealous. Being able to listen to Dallin H. Oaks and Sister Wixom all within one week! Doesn't get more spiritual in then that. The church is true.

I just want to share my thoughts about our baptism this last weekend and how it was a day I will never forget. 

So a couple of emails ago I talked about how we found Brother Randy and how spiritual that first lesson was. Anyway, since that first lesson he has attended church. When we taught Book of Mormon Brother Randy started reading it everyday. He expressed us that he didn't fully understand every thing but he always felt something when he read. Elder B and I made a plan with the ward to have different members every lesson. So that's what we did. Every lesson, different members and then Brother Randy became well known and loved in our ward. He never sat alone at church. We never had to watch or take care of him at church because the members were always with him and soon Brother Randy was more popular then the two white Americans in our ward haha. 

I can't express the gratitude and love I have for those members that made that transition easier for Brother Randy. We taught tithing and we were a little uneasy about it because Brother Randy is not wealthy at all. When we asked if he had any questions about the law of tithing Randy replied,"It's not my money anyway." And he paid his tithing the following Sunday before he was even baptized. 

When we taught fasting and explained the importance and how, Brother Randy fasted the following day. I feel so blessed that I was able to witness this man's spiritual growth and conversion. Brother Randy was baptized and bore his testimony. He testified of his struggle with the Word of Wisdom and how reading the Book of Mormon gave him strength to overcome the addiction he had. He bore his powerful testimony about Joseph Smith and Thomas S. Monson. He thanked me and Elder B and called us his guardian angels. Not a dry eye in the room. I can't tell you how much I love Brother Randy. His willingness to follow and find out for himself has impacted my testimony and changed my life. As we were teaching Brother Randy, the Lord was teaching me. 

I just want to bear my testimony that I know this work is true. It can't be stopped or hindered. I know for a surety that through "small and simple things, great things shall come to pass." I believe in Covenants. I know God doesn't change. I love the Philippines. I love the people here. I love my Savior. I love you all and I'll see you soon.

Your Valiant Missionary,

Elder Strader