Season 7 Episode 4: The Deadline.

Hey Family!

Well, this week has been one for the books! So just a little run down on what happened last week. President Hannemann asked me if we could talk and to make a long story short he felt like I was needed here in Tanumalala! I was very excited because I really didn't want to finish my mission in the office haha! So we are in this program that trys to make a branch into a ward within in six weeks! Are "deadline" is on the 20th of May and we are working our tails off! There are two of us Elders and three of us Sisters! My companion and I are currently living in a fale Samoa or a fale o'o! I will get a picture next week!

We have been seeing Miracles left and right but, I can honestly say this has been one of the hardest areas I have ever served in and it is awesome! It truly tests us of every day and there is no way we can progress unless we have Faith in Jesus Christ and are being as humble as possible! We are feeling pretty positive that Tanumalala will have the numbers (150 Attend and 15 Worthy Melchizedek Priesthood Holders) by May 20th!

We are currently working with a Family of three Fata(Baptized), Anna(Baptized for school), and their daughter Faatoese(Investigator). We had an awesome F.H.E. with them on Monday and then Yesterday we went and did a small lesson about the Book of Mormon! At the End Anna told us that she was so grateful for the Book of Mormon and all the miracles she has seen since her family has been reading it. She was baptized at 15 so she could go to The church school here and after she was baptized she never went back. So everything is new to her. But, she wants to learn and understand more! She explained to us how her husband had a really bad smoking problem but, ever since he started reading the Book of Mormon last week, he hasn't smoked! Crazy the power that is in the Book of Mormon Their daughter is going to be baptized next week and we are so excited!

Junior will also be getting baptized next week! He is a very humble man of about 23 years old! He is really slow of speach and can't really explain his thoughts but, he understands and trys his best to answer our questions! Our Church starts a 9 and every Sunday he is the first one there at 7:30! He loves reading his Book of Mormon and is full of a happy spirit! He is so excited for his baptism and is always happy to read from the Book of Mormon with us!

We are working with a lot more investigators and Less Actives trying our best to convert them to Jesus Christ and get them back to church so they can partake of the Sacrament and feel of his love for them! Truly such a beautiful work!

2 Nephi 22:2 ran across this scripture this morning! Really loved it. I know that as we rely on God in all that we do, we will see his hand in everything that we do and he will guide us in all of our decisions! I have such a strong testimony of this gospel! I love this work so much and I love seeing people change BECAUSE of Jesus Christ! I hope and pray that you are all reading the Book of Mormon every morning before you start the day! I promise you all that it will change all of your lives! It will set your day up and help you battle all that will come your way! I know God lives and he Loves us! He truly is watching over us! I know that our family can be forever! I love this Gospel! I hope you all have a great week and know that I am always praying for yous! LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Elder Barton