Happy Birthday America!

Allentown 4th of July Fireworks Display

 

 

Watching the Fireworks from the English Elder's Rooftop

 

Well transfer calls came and I'm outta Allentown. Kind of sad. Thought I was gonna spend my last 6 weeks here, but The Lord has some other things in mind, and is will do whatever He wants me to do.

I hope I go to Philly or Camden or some walking area so I'm not fat. Good stuff.

Well Zulma, one of our recently activated members, is amazing. She called us and told us she was at Ángel Roca's house (less active) and that she wanted us to come over and teach him. So we did. She is being an awesome missionary. We talked with Ángel about developing his own testimony and making it strong. Zulma bore an extremely strong testimony. She has also told us that she is working with other less actives too to get them back to church. Man she is on fire. Good stuff. I want to be more like her. Ever since she has gone to the temple she has exploded with enthusiasm and excitement about sharing the Gospel and living it.

Ballin lesson with Benny. We taught about faith, repentance, baptism, confirmation, and enduring to the end. We especially emphasized repentance, baptism, and the difference between the power of the Holy Ghost and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Benny received it well. Asked a couple questions and we were so inspired as to give satisfactory answers. He recognizes that God is speaking to him through us. We mentioned authority and how it is necessary to perform those sacred ordinances. Man I love teaching the Gospel, especially to people like Benny. He is mature spiritually and knows his bible. Not just parts of it, but he knows it well because he has interpreted it by the power of the Spirit, and is receiving the Book of Mormon and the rest of our message by the same Spirit. He is almost done with 1 Nephi already and is making super good progress. I literally told him to consider his ways and to repent. He is living with someone and has some other things he needs to work on, but he knows what he needs to do. I hope and pray he will do it. Pray for him!!! I hate explaining transfers to
investigators. It is always super sad to explain how it goes down, but that's just the way it is. Said goodbye to him yesterday. He will be baptized sooner or later.

We finally got to see Coralie and Fabian again! We stopped by the night before to see them and set up an appointment for today.  Yesterday, while we were there, her grandfather was there, and kind of
antied is a little bit, saying that no church can save you, that there can't be prophets now and whatnot. Today when we went to see Coralie and Fabian, they were different. They had tons of questions, doubts, and stuff. Someone told them we don't believe in the bible and stuff, and whatever other things people say about us. We simply told them that yes, believe it or not, we read and believe the bible!!!!  The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, it does not replace the bible. How many times do I have to explain that to people???? Well president Payba explained to them everything, about how we weren't there to tell them what to believe, but to simply experiment upon the message and ask God if it is true. Their attitude changed towards the end and we shall see if they will be true to their word.

We then went with President Payba to see Brenda and Geraldo. We met another one of Brenda's daughters, Emylane. Geraldo was sleeping so we just taught all them on their porch. I asked Emylane about her relationship with God, and she asked us some very poignant questions.  She speaks very directly and intensely. She asked what church we were from. We responded. She asked if Mormons were different than Jehovah's witnesses...... Yuppppp...... Ok after that she became our best friend
basically haha. Apparently she has a friend that is a Testigo and says that because Emylane doesn't go to her church means that she doesn't go to heaven. (Technically her Testigo friend doesn't believe that she herself can get into Heaven but that's beside the point... No bashing... ;) Well that piqued her interest. She was super surprised that we pay our way to come and serve missions. She thinks we are even a little crazy, but a little bit of crazy is a good thing I say. We gave her a restoration pamphlet and set up an appointment for Saturday. Excited to see her baptized.

Well the fourth was a good time. Perfect day. It rained in the morning, cooled things down, and then it was rockin in the low 70s for the rest of the day. We went and saw some people, taught a lesson or
two, hen went to a members BBQ. Good times. Ate too much. Then we went on the roof of another apt of the English missionaries and watched fireworks in the middle of Allentown. Super cool. Fireworks going on all around us. Good times. Pictures forthcoming.

Well today was one of the most gratifying days of my entire mission. I witnessed the change of the Allentown Branch to the Allentown Ward. It was awesome. It was a pay day as a missionary. Although I'm not sure to what degree, I feel that I may have contributed in a very minor part of this branch becoming a ward. I am so grateful that The Lord is hastening His work in this part of His vineyard and everywhere else as well. Bishop Payba gave some heartfelt remarks about all those who
have contributed over the years. Hey had everyone that was in the original branch stand, and about 15 people stood up. They have seen the growth of the Lord's kingdom here for years. I love The Lord! I
love serving Him. And I love it most when I see the results!

Well, I love this work. It's the best. Stoked to finish off wherever the Lord sees fit to put me.

Love y'all. Be faithful. Share the Gospel.

Elder Mike Dial