Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Elder Chapman Hightails-it for Maine

December 2, 2013


Welcome, true fans and newcomers alike! (Can you name that Playstation game? Not that I've been playing video games up here. Ain't nobody got time for that.)

The Lyndon area has seen some successes this week. "O, that I were an angel and could have the wish of mine heart, that [Elder Chapman could stay to] go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!...But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things the Lord hath allotted unto me" (Alma 29:1, the Book of Mormon). Elder Chapman and I have grown very close in this last transfer. We've been working harder this last week, being more diligent. I've learned a good lesson in diligence, that it really does make a difference. Elder Chapman will be leaving Lyndon, he's guessing in favor of Maine.
Paul, a less-active member, has shown a greater desire to progress in the gospel. He planned on coming to church this week, but his car wouldn't start. He called the chapel to ask us for a ride, but the message slipped the messenger's mind. Unfortunate; though we met with him Sunday night. He invited us to a lasagna dinner at a friend's house, where a one of his friends hopes to meet with us. I cannot believe how the Lord has touched people's hearts, kept us in contact with Paul, and set it up so that we could meet with his friend at this party. We brought Paul to a lesson with Beatrice, but she was going to drop something off at a friend's house and come right back. We waited for fifty minutes, just talking with Paul. That was when he mentioned the lasagna dinner and that his friend was interested in meeting with us. If Beatrice hadn't followed through, we wouldn't have heard about the dinner, which is this Wednesday. We might have missed it entirely. 
Louis has progressed so much since the first time we met with him. Last time we talked about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This week he said he had a realization that he needed to change something. You could see it on the outside. He was wearing a shirt this time, and he was cleaning his apartment of the trash that had been there since we first met him. He had read Alma 32 and loved the word/seed metaphor. (http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/32?lang=eng). We discussed how we need to plant these seeds in our hearts so we can experiment upon them. Then Elder Chapman (not per se) made the most amazing transition that could be dreamed of. "We wanted to talk with you about one seed that we can plant and test to see if it is a good seed. It is one of God's commandments for our happiness and it is called the Law of Chastity." The Spirit lit the room for the duration of the lesson. I know he and I spoke by the power of the Holy Ghost. If not, we could not have instilled Louis with this doctrine in the slightest, and he could not have gained a shred of desire to follow it. He now has some of that desire, though he would not commit to follow it. He does not clearly see any way for him to overcome his addiction, and for him it truly is an addiction. Yet, that desire can work within him if he lets it. I pray for that to happen.

Love, Elder J. Harrison Richins

Inline image 1
My District Picture, Transfer #4.
(Sorry about the picture. I couldn't get it to load all the way. Love, Jon's Mom)

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