Bishop, Thatcher PT

Hello everyone! This week, we've continued to have some amazing lessons and found some new friends to teach. Unfortunately, our friend Lukeny, who was supposed to be baptized yesterday, wasn't able to because of scheduling conflicts that prevented us from having lessons this week. We're hoping to keep meeting with him and help him feel ready for baptism soon. President Sykes asked us to write a talk on the Book of Mormon being another testament of Christ in preparation for Zone Conference tomorrow, and I thought I'd share some of the overarching themes with you all. In our lives, we are to face challenges. The confusion, misunderstandings, and temptations in this world run rampant. On our own, it would be impossible to decipher the will of God. On our own, it would be impossible to learn and become closer to our Savior. However, we have a loving Heavenly Father who set a plan in motion to help us. Through the calling of divinely appointed prophets, we have a book that c...

Hello everyone! This week, I had the most amazing member lesson. We actually ran into him on the way to his house, and we talked on the way there. While we were walking, he told us he wants to be a missionary and he hopes to serve in a country that has a different culture or language than Angola, because he sees the Elders come from the US, Brazil, and Portugal, and he can see how different things are for them, but he also sees the spirit helping them—supporting them in ways beyond human help, learning a language in little to no time, being as familiar with the area as the natives, and loving a foreign culture that at first was shocking. He said he wants to feel that kind of spirit with him, and I've realized all the times I've felt God's hand supporting me, pushing me on. I had never noticed it because it was constant. I always had Him. The member then shared his favorite scripture with us (Nephi 3:7) and talked about how he knows that God prepares the way for His Elders, ...

Hello Everyone! My first companion in the field has left for a new area. It's a little different without him, but the work goes on. Elder Lamoreaux and I have been pushing on and doing what we can to help the people here. This week, we stayed very busy with lessons and meeting members. We had seven of the people we're currently working with come to Sacrament meeting yesterday! We also have another baptismal date for our friend Lukeny. It's crazy how fast his testimony is growing, and it's really exciting to be there to answer any questions he has. This week, I got a little bit down, but through a combination of prayer, scriptures, and talks, I was reminded that I am God's. He knows what is best for me and always wants me to have joy and to be happy. Sometimes it's a little hard, but through Him, I can find all the joy I need. I know my parents on Earth love me and do what's best for me, and I know that my Heavenly Parents love me too, in a way I can't ev...