Spencer - Called to Serve: Week 99 - Speaking in Sacrament Meeting, Baptism after Church, and Splits in Bekasi

SELAMAT PAGI SEMUANYA!!! APA KABAR?

Things in Indonesia are going amazing!

Don't feel alone Kaitlyn, I too had to give a talk in sacrament meeting. My topic was, "Have you received His countenance in your image?" The main sources were chapters Alma 5 - 7. Verse 14 reads,

" And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?"

Yesterday, we witnessed Alexander fulfill this verse by being baptized! It was such a wonderful experience. The baptism was held right after church and many members stayed and supported him. One of the members baptized him and next week he will receive the Holy Ghost. He has truly received the image of God in his countenance. The Atonement changes lives and gives us hope that is needed in a world that seems to be going the other way. In Alma 7, not only is there one of my favorite scriptures about the atonement, I shared this in my talk and also with a new investigator that came to us this past week. She has two little boys that are around 5 and 3 and has since been separated from her husband and has faced many challenges. It reads,

"11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me."

He has performed such an act so that he could help us in this world. For that, I am eternally grateful. No longer should we feel alone. We take on the hardships of life with a better attitude and with more faith in the Savior.

Yesterday after church, we had an interesting experience. Our whole day fell through after church which allowed us to go out and find more people. We hopped on the bus knowing where we were going but not knowing for how long and where we should go after that. When we got to the final stop we were held up by other crowds trying to get on the bus. Suddenly, an older lady came over and said, "I have been given the Book of Mormon and I really feel peace and joy when I read it, do you have time to come to my house right now?" We of course had the time. She said that she needed to run to the ATM and for us to just stay right there and that she would return. So we waited, and while we waited we started talking to people. We were there for about 2 hours and 30 mintues waiting for this lady to return. It did not feel like 2 hours and 30 mintues because just by sitting there, we taught 2 lessons and talked to SO many people and had a ton of success! It was a miracle even though the lady never returned, we felt we had to be there for something. We have now given this lady the title of the mysterious lady.

We spent a good portion of our week on splits in one of the neighboring cities, Bekasi. We had a blast and just went out and worked with the missionaries there. Lots and lots of good things are happening in the mission and things are getting super exciting! We are having lots of fun and just working our tails off to find those people that are ready out of the 10 million that live in this city!

We have been planning with President and others for the things that are upcoming. President and Sister Donald head home at the end of June and then there is a new mission president and his wife coming in. It will be a crazy time for the mission!

Alma continues in chapter 5,

"And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?"

Hopefully we all still feel so now! I know I do! I love you all and know this church is true!

Elder Hayes