Dearest Family and Friends!
Once more, I hope your Easter was wonderful! What a great
and special time this truly is for all of us. I hope you may continue to feel
love from The Savior as you press forward, hopefully Feasting on The Words of
Christ. They will teach you all things, I know and testfy. I Love you! Yes you.
The one reading this email right now. Thank you for helping me and being a part
of my life.
I have had some awesome flash backs this week as I have been
reflecting upon my life and many blessings. One of my most treasured memories
are being a part of Ballroom Dance. I still remember trying for the very first
time to do the Cha-Cha basic with a very patient Emma Belliston as Erica Colvin
gave us instructions. Bless her heart, that was a lot of fun! I still remember
my first Tango Performance with Mandy Coulam (Who has since been married! Woah!
Crazy! Congratulations to you!) as I grew in my confidence of dance. I thought
of my first time of doing Training for The Advanced Training Class of both
Latin and Standard for Englight Ballroom and getting absolutely destroyed and
humbled at the same time. I remember coaches who never gave up on me and taught
me I could do anything if I put my mind to it. I remember my parents supporting
me in every way possible, even financially to follow my dreams. I remember
Masons Sanders giving me support and being one of the best teachers or coaches
to ever be in my life. I love and miss him. I remember learning how to do an
Open Routine with the talented Becca Probst. It was always a joy to be on the
dance floor or on a team with her and many other great friends. I remember the
love I felt from Adam and Jeane Shelton and how kind they were to me. I remember goofing off with Alex Smith, Jared
Allcott, Hyrum, Kelen (Sorry. Probably spelled that wrong) and many other
treasured friends. I will never forget dancing at Nationals and being able to
dance in Broadway New York. How I love and miss dance! What a blessing for me.
I again, am so thankful for those I have both danced with and been able to be
coached by whom I did not name. I am so thankful for the many friends and
memories I was able to make. I love and miss those I was able to meet through
the Great adventure that Ballroom Dance brought to my life. Now I get to serve
in the greatest place in the World. I love my life!
We had our District Activity today! I will try and include
Pictures. Because one of the Sisters areas is an Island called Ifira we got to
go there! We played Volleyball and had a great picnic! Hope you will enjoy
pictures. It was breathtaking. Sometimes I have to admire that I serve in the
most beautiful place in the world.
I would like to conclude with yet another experience which
has been dear to my heart. We have been working with a Less Active Member named
Merry James. I love her and have desired from the moment I have meet her to
help her see how Church attendance and partaking of the Sacrament really are
more important than anything and everything else in our week. We had a very
special visit with her last night. We set up a Family Home Evening and were
excited to meet with her. As we arrived before we could even start the lesson
she started justifying why church attendance just was not for her. She said she
attends a Family Meeting every Sunday and needs to share the Gospel with
others. She said there was nothing we could say to change her mind. My heart
swelled with love for her. I knew she had been blinded by the adversary. I also
knew what she said was true. There was nothing we could say to change her mind.
However, I trust in the Promise that the feelings of the Spirit can truly
change the heart. 2 Nephi 33:1 teaches
this to us very well. I had some silent prayers and as she concluded her words
there was a long pause. I did my best to open my mouth. The result could only
truly come from Heaven. Words I feel were not mine escaped my mouth as I
expressed some wonderful truths close to my heart. I explained how in an
airplane they have oxygen masks. When these masks fall down we are instructed
to not put the masks on others but first make sure to put on our own masks. If
we don't do this, we risk passing out before being able to help others. I
related to this to a spiritual aspect. We must first take in the Spiritual
Oxygen which comes from regular Church attendance and partaking of the
Sacrament before we can instruct others. We can not invite others to come unto
Christ if we are not beside him. We can not merely tell others to Go to Christ,
when we ourselves are from Him. I felt prompted to tell her that she would have
more success of bringing her family into the Gospel by living what she taught
and going to church. I told her living as an example is always more powerful
than words. I was amazed as the spirit
fell upon the room. Mary's frown turned into quiet and pleasant smile,
reflecting upon what was said. After I finished she proclaimed, "You are
right. You are absolutely right. I have not come to church in months but I will
come next week. I know what you have said is true. I will come I will
come." Now, we absolutely will have to follow up with Mary's promise but I
am so thankful The Lord speaks through us to bless others. My joy is great and
I love being a missionary and all of these experiences I am having.
I love you all so much! Until Next week! May joy and
happiness fill your days with excitement. May you continue to feel The Love
From a Father in Heaven and Savior Jesus Christ Whom I testify know you can do
this! You can do hard things and return to live with them!
Love,
Elder LaMont/ Shark Bait/ Your Alekken Ty/ Island Boy
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