Elder Zachary Taylor Johnson: Week 70, May 12

Hey family,

The week went well, The heat continues to rise as it was a blazing 94 degrees in our room last night, but were so grateful for the nice tan the sun gives.

Lance was Baptized this week and it really was quite the experience, Lance is a really special kid, a 15 year old part member family investigator, his older sister and family are really active members here in Lemery and she introduced us to Lance about 6 weeks ago. Lance has completely switched his friend group, he's quit smoking and other word of wisdom problems, he paid a fast offering, fasted, and bore his testimony all before his baptism, I learned alot about the pure workings of the spirit from him, as well as the blessings and testimony that comes as we act on those promptings. He invited all his family and a ton of his friends in his kind of run down neighborhood to his baptism, he said there were quite a few people who wanted to come, the only thing was they didn't have money to get there, we felt strongly that this was an extremely important event and that there was still a way that God had prepared, so as me and Elder Merrill thought about it we remembered a member who has a van, this member is always gone, driving people to the airport, or to weddings, things like that, but we let him know and he said that Saturday, the day of the baptism was his day off, and that he was happy to help. It was quite the experience as we piled 20 people, consisting of investigators, friends of lance as well as his mother and all his siblings. into this van and got them over to the church. We had spent the morning cleaning the font, and setting up the Relief Society room, the spirit was there and it was a very special experience for all. The talks were great, very personal, Elder and I taught the Doctrine of Christ to those present, and as Lances sister bore her testimony to her family who was there about the eternal nature of the family and the gospel of Jesus Christ, there were some moist eyes. The spirit confirmed to everyone that what Lance did that day was sacred,as we followed up with Lances family yesterday, they seemed to be so much more willing to hear, and think about what we were saying, Baptismal services really are the most spiritual meeting in the church.

The work is going great, I can feel your p[rayers lifting me up.

Love you all!

Elder Johnson

I think we'll go visit the huge catholic church on the hill, then go get some grocerys, then nap, we washed our clothes by hand this morning, so the hard parts over,

I'll get that money tomorrow, thanks!

Sleep good

Love you lots!

Tell everyone I said Hi and that they all look great, especially aimee in her new glasses :)