Merry Christmas!

Our Christmas week got off to a great start with a baptism. This one was special, however. The person being baptized picked the date that his family was coming into town. His family was baptized 30 years ago but he had never joined the church. The plan was to drive them to the baptism without letting them know ahead of time that the baptism would be happening. The scene when the parents saw their son dressed in white was quite memorable. He was even able to be ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood before his parents left back for New York City.

Now we commence two days of not proselyting. This might be the one and only time that happens on my mission. Whoa! Tonight we will be blessed to hear from Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Tomorrow we will call home and visit families that we have met over the course of our missions. It will be quite a relaxing few days.

To everyone back home, Merry Christmas!

http://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/glad-tidings-of-great-joy-the-birth-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng

Elder Bolling

Snowstorm & Wind

It was a very snowy and windy week here in Utah. My frugalities have finally caved and decided to buy a new pair of shoes today since the water from the snow comes through the bottom of my soles. I was so close to holding out on new shoes for two years!

This weekend I was able to go back to Riverton for two baptisms in my old area. It's always special to see the progress of those I've taught continue after I have left. I was even able to talk to an old Bishop who met a couple who knows my family! It seems like the world keeps getting smaller and smaller.

As for other items, transfers happened. No changes in my companionship. Even in the zone most of the people stayed the same. Only one person left. There's a lot of continuity here in Draper...which is great to see.

Elder Bolling

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

It's finally been a solid week of snow and cold. I can't say that I'm a huge fan, though, as I tend to be a summer type of person. I keep telling myself that the sooner the cold comes the sooner it will be gone. The temperatures start warming up in 2 1/2 months, right?

The lights are now up in wonderful Salt Lake City, Utah. I am convinced that Utahans go a lot more all out for holidays than anybody else. Maybe I'm just biased because I am here...but I don't remember so many crazy light decorations as there are out here.

We had a chance to meet two new individuals who are both preparing to be baptized. It's incredible how at times you can be wondering, "How on earth will be keep teaching people after we finish teaching the people we currently know?" and then out of nowhere we find more people! The Lord certainly does bless us for diligence and patience. One of them we had no idea about...we just happened to meet her at our stake Christmas party. It was a welcome surprise.

Elder Bolling

Is It December Already?

This week we were happy to have a baptism on Monday afternoon. As always it was a special experience. A friend of somebody we are teaching came to the baptism. Afterwards he said he felt a strong spirit from the baptism and wanted to come to church and learn more. It's amazing the good work the spirit will do!

On Sunday afternoon, we were concerned that we hadn't found anyone who was preparing for baptism later in the month. Then, in a huge surprise, we got a call from a person we had taught formerly. He told us that he received a spiritual witness that it was all true and that he wanted to be baptized as soon as possible. Whoa! That was certainly a welcome surprise. Another special part about it: he is the only member in his family who hasn't been baptized and become a practicing member of the church. In a few weeks that will all change!

The weather is finally starting to cool down. It's still not very cold, however. I'm convinced that Virginia winters are colder because of the humidity. Our transfers are in a week and a half so there could be lots of new changes on the radar screen soon.

Elder Bolling