Letter #43 (September 14, 2009)

I had a great week. Elder Birrell and I welcomed Elder Nielson into our companionship on Thursday. We're in a threesome temporarily. Elder Nielson has been on a mission for 1 month. His trainer went home early because of personal reasons. Elder Nielson has a great desire to learn and do good.

Curtis Graham got baptized on Saturday. I was able to perform the baptism. It was my first on my mission. It was a great baptismal service. Just before the baptism was going to be performed there was a musical number performed by the wife of a bishopric member. She sang, "Our Savior's love". Our Father in Heaven knows that that's my favorite hymn. It was His way of showing me His great and perfect love for me. It brought tears to my eyes. Curtis was a new man when he got out of the water. He bore a powerful testimony afterwards. He received the gift of the Holy Ghost the next day. I love Curtis. We'll be friends for a long time. He's going to do much good.

In his testimony he mentioned how the reason he came in contact with the Church was because he was helping out his friend Rebecca. He took her to the hospital and helped her when she needed it. Since he was in Chapel Hill he was able to run into Elder McPharlin and I. He was able to go to Church and take the discussions. His act of kindness led to the Church. God is great!

We're still working closely with the rest of our solid investigators. We hope that we could have Aaliyah and Reuben baptized by the end of this transfer. We are teaching many people. Iantha is going out of town again for nearly a month. I believe that she'll be baptized one of these days. I keep praying for her.

I love this work. It's the Lord's work. God is a God of miracles.

Love, Elder Olaya