BACK-TO-BACK AMAZING

Hello everyone! This week has been amazing! I am so grateful for the back-to-back amazing 2 weeks that we've had here. EVANGEL AND BLAIR WERE BOTH BAPTIZED on Sunday! Wow, such an amazing experience. It was the coolest thing ever. I am so grateful to be here in the CRM serving as a missionary. I'll give you more details later, but here is how this week went down.

On Wednesday, another pretty awesome day, we had a lesson with one of our new Investigators, Jessica Yu. Jessica was actually a former investigator who we recently got in contact with and taught her about the Restoration of the Gospel. She is super cool and we are praying that she can continue to progress. It was a great lesson. That night we had a super awesome English Class. We had about 10 people attend! It was super fun and good to have a big group there. We also had a lesson with Michael after class. Michael has recently been going through some really hard times. His wife was deported back to China and he has also lost his job. We taught that despite these difficult things going on in his life, he can ALWAYS find comfort in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was a powerful lesson and always a good reminder for each one of us. 

Thursday we were finally able to meet with Shanon again! The Spirit was so strong, and we taught her the about the importance of the Book of Mormon, and prayer, and also how to recognize the Spirit. I shared my testimony and Shanon and I were both crying. It was a powerful experience and one of those times when the Spirit is felt so easily. I know Shannon has a testimony but still won't commit to be baptized. Please please please pray for her! That night, we also got to meet with Hank and Tina! Hank and Tina moved up to San Francisco for 3 months. Hank has an internship there. They will return in 3 months but it was really great seeing them one last time before they left! They are amazing.

Friday was awesome too. We had our last multi-zones conference with President Mullen. President and Sister Mullen both bore their testimonies. They will be completing their mission at the end of this month and returning home. I am really going to miss President Mullen. He is such an awesome guy, and I testify that he receives revelation to guide and direct the California, Riverside Mission! 

This week we also had a Chinese Ward BBQ Activity. I love being with these people. They have a lot of faith. We had some really good Chinese BBQ. It was awesome. 我很喜歡中國的烤肉! 

Elder Willes at the Chinese BBQ

Sunday was super awesome and one of those days that are just super super special. We had a total of 5 investigators that came to church! Evangel, Blair, Michael, Shanon, and Vivian all came to church! It was so awesome. Right after church, EVANGEL AND BLAIR WERE BAPTIZED! The program was so special. Elder Crowther baptized Evangel and I had the opportunity to baptize Blair. Evangel's husband came to support them which is also a big miracle. The Spirit was so strong. After they were both baptized, Evangel and Blair got up in front of everyone, and shared their thoughts. Evangel bore a really strong testimony and shared scriptures that she had memorized from the Book of Mormon!  Blair also said that she felt so happy. They both shared how the Gospel has helped them to be happy. It was such an amazing experience. 

Blair (Evangel's daughter), Elder Willes, Elder Crowther and Evangel

This week has been so awesome. I love this work and I am so excited to continue to bring souls unto Christ! 

Also, Happy Father's Day SHOUT OUT to my Dad, the one and only Beef51! He is one of the best examples to me and has helped me so much become the missionary and person that I am today. Love you Dad! Excited for another awesome week in the sunny CRM. It is hot here in the dessert. Love you all have a great week!

Elder Willes