Amazing Baptisms!

This was a great week. We were able to see the fruits of all of our work. We had a baptism Saturday for a young single adult girl. She was invited by her friend and had been attending church for four months. Before we even met her she was ready to go. It is neat to simply be a part of such a wonderful process.

Our second baptism was for another young single adult girl. She might even be reading this blog! It was a special one because she had been meeting with missionaries for quite a while. When we started meeting with her she had many questions and doubts about the Book of Mormon and the Restoration. Luckily I had been through many of the same questions. When I learned about the church I read all of the "negative" stuff about the church. Then, after resolving those questions, I prayed and received my answer that it was Christ's church! Over two months we were able to help her get her answer as well. So many people were excited (and surprised) that she chose to be baptized that the baptism was filled to overflowing! It truly was a memorable moment in my mission.

We've also been trying some new ideas on how to lead our zone. We have been giving our district leaders some more creative control on what to do and how to do it. It has seen some immediate fruits as our zone has had many successes and is doing well in our mission. Our main goal is to help our district leaders learn how to fulfill their stewardships on their own. We feel that in that way they will be able to see progress and lead in their own way.

Elder Bolling

General Conference Miracles

This weekend we had the opportunity that only comes twice a year -- to hear from the Prophet and Apostles at general conference. In the Salt Lake City South Mission, we have the blessing of attending with those we are teaching. It is such a wonderful experience. Sometimes I feel as though I get more out of it then they do. I was able to attend the Saturday Afternoon session, the Priesthood session and the Sunday Morning session. I am truly grateful for the blessing of being in Utah for these moments.

 

Our zone continues to plug along. It seems as though the work me and my companion have been doing for 9 weeks is beginning to bear fruit. We have most of our missionaries actively teaching people and doing a lot of good. That should reflect in the number of people we see baptized this month. Even though we teach and convert lots of people in this mission, every individual experience is special. Being a part of somebody's journey to the gospel is amazing.

 

We're also teaching more than I ever had. We probably average 30 lessons taught each week. Sometimes it can be exhausting...but always worthwhile at the end of the day. With conference passing, the weather has turned so that we're wearing suit jackets every day again. Winter is coming!

 

Elder Bolling

Halloween Decorations?

One of the funniest things about Utah is the amount of decorating that goes on for holidays. I don't know if I've ever seen so many decorations for one silly holiday as I do here in Utah. Yes, there are decorations in Virginia...but Utahans take it to a whole different level. We won't even talk about what happens at Christmas, that's just over the top!

 

We've entered into another month. I really don't know where the month of September went. We are preparing for general conference this weekend. I will be personally attending three sessions. We will attend with those that we're meeting with. The goal is to help them feel the spirit that comes from the Apostles to solidify their commitment to join the church. Not only that, but it will be quite a treat to see three sessions live myself!

 

Elder Bolling

Transfers, broken feet, and temples

This week transfers happened. We thought we'd be getting 28 missionaries in our zone...but 29 is the final count! Don't worry, it might be going back to 28 soon though. On Saturday one of our sister missionaries broke her foot during morning exercise. As a result she may have to go home early to do the operation. I feel bad for her -- hobbling around apartment complexes all day!
Sunday was also the dedication of the Brigham City Temple. As a result all church services were cancelled in Utah and the temple dedication was broadcast to all of the stake centers. It was my first time ever seeing a temple dedication...and it was also a treat to hear from three members of the Quorum of the Twelve. (Boyd K. Packer, Russell M. Nelson and L. Tom Perry)

Everything else continues to run smoothly. It feels as though the month of September just disappeared...and now the leaves are beginning to change colors on the mountains and conference is right around the corner.
Elder Bolling

Expansion

Transfers will be this upcoming Wednesday. Typically, a zone in our mission has 18-20 missionaries. President Miller informed us this past week that I will likely stay as a Riverton Zone Leader for another transfer. We will also likely have a zone consisting of 28 missionaries, 9 new missionaries and four districts. Whoa! That is definitely the largest zone the mission has seen in a long time. We're preparing for that by training the two district leaders we will be keeping. I also haven't decided if this is a sign that President Miller trusts us or if he's punishing us for something we did wrong!

We continue plugging along. It seems as each week goes by it just moves quicker and I have a harder time remembering what I did! It all is quickly becoming a blur. I suppose that's a good thing because we're busy working but not so good for writing a blog.

Elder Bolling

Many Events To See!

This week saw lots of events keep me busy. First, we had our mission tour conference on Tuesday. Elder Perkins of the Seventy spoke to us. He taught many wonderful things about how to apply the doctrine of Jesus Christ more fully into our lives. We were also "observed" as members of our zone gave talks and role played teaching situations in front of Elder Perkins. I got off the hook and had to do neither! Lucky day!

On Thursday it was our biannual surprise Zone Leader Council at President Miller's family vacation home in Oakley, Utah. We had the meeting portion and then went on hikes, played sports, fished, watched a rodeo and hung out. Those are always entertaining days...now we just have to wait until February for our winter edition!

Then on Sunday we had the opportunity to watch Elder Holland give a CES Fireside. After that, John Bytheway came to our other stake to give a fireside. Both of those speakers gave us quite the spiritual awakening!

To top it off, this next week we will hear from a Seventy in our Young Single Adult stake and two Seventies as our family stake presidency is being reorganized. Lots of things to see!

Elder Bolling

Convention Surprise!

I might have had the most challenging test of my mission on Thursday night. At roughly 8:05 I walked into the house of a less-active member of the church. We were teaching him while the rest of the family watched TV. Typically, we ask them to turn the television off. I did that. The family said they couldn't because there was something really important coming on. Just then, I hear the words, "Welcome to the 2012 Republican National Convention with tonight's speaker, Mitt Romney!" Oh dear!

The lesson was taught. Needless to say I was mildly distracted as Clint Eastwood spoke. I was more distracted as the next person spoke. We closed the lesson just as Romney's introduction was happening. Then, to top it all off, the family wanted to say hello before I left -- just as Romney was walking onto the stage! I must admit that I showed the most self-constraint I ever have by walking out of that home just as Romney started to speak. I believe that was a small tender mercy of the Lord. It was also a test.

Otherwise, the week went well. We are keeping busy with our area. We are teaching many new individuals and it is great to see their progress. Happy Labor Day!