Eighty-second Week - August 17, 2015

Hello, Family and Friends!! 

ELDER WILDE (JR.)!!!!!!  You are there!!  I seriously cannot wait for you to enter into the MTC!  I am so excited to hear about the miracles that you are going to have!!  You are going to be such an amazing missionary, and I cannot wait to learn from you and become just like you!!  I think I have told everyone in shouting distance that my little brother and best friend is leaving this week.  Rest assured that everyone in Sydney knows!!!! 

  This week has been crazy busy and crazy amazing!  Transfers were a big surprise and Elder Orr and I came to find out that we have taken over the City Zone and the Harbour Suburbs Zone to become one massive zone.  There are about 30 missionaries in our Zone that we have the blessing of working with.  In addition, Elder Orr and I were moved out of the South Harbour Ward into the Harbour YSA Ward that meets in the city.  As a result, we have been in the City Chapel all week having meetings with various members of the ward trying to get a hold of the seemingly insurmountable list of things that need to get done. Because the YSA ward is home to a plethora of recent converts, it lacks much of the leadership it needs.  To answer that problem, the Zone Leaders are given a fair share of the load.  With that all being said, we love our new ward and have already met some great members.  I think staying in the stake my whole mission has helped because when I walked in, I knew about half the ward already.  You never know how the Lord is preparing you, that much is for sure!! 

Like I said, Elder Orr and I stayed outside of the UNSW area for the  majority of the week. While it felt like we were gone and didn't spend a lot of time in our area, the Lord consecrated our efforts and we were able to find, teach, and baptize this week!!  Truly one the greatest things that I have been able to see is that when we give more to serve the other missionaries, the Lord has been able to help us consecrate our time into the fulfilling of our ministries.  One great example of that was seen as we were able to organize, attend, and participate in the baptism of Summer. 

I have spoken about Summer in past emails and have looked forward to her baptism for quite sometime. Elder Orr was able to baptize her on Friday night and the following Sunday I was able to confirm her a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  On Friday night, she was able to stand and bear a testimony of her experience.  She told us that she really could not describe what she was feeling because it was so unique and so special to her.  

At Summer's baptism was all of her friends that Elder Orr and I have been able to get to know for quite sometime.  One of the greatest blessings is that we will be able to begin to teach them about the gospel.  

In addition, there was a great presence of the ward who were there to support her.  There was such a sweet spirit at that simple yet powerful baptism. Truly when the power of godliness is manifest, one is able to feel the evidence of God's love for each of his children.  I thank each of you for the prayers that have been said.  You are as much a part of this baptism as Elder Orr and I are. 

I really thank each of you for the support you have given me.  Elder Orr and I were talking the other day about how many prayers are said in support of the missionaries everyday. Without those prayers, I know without a doubt that this would be a whole different experience.  Thank you for what each of you do no matter how big or small you may feel your role to be.  Know that your role means a lot to me. 

I love you all so very much and give the next Elder Wilde all my support, confidence, and trust.  I look forward to putting my should to the plow with you, Parker.  What a blessing this is for me. 

Love,

Elder Wilde