8/6/12 Email from Elder Brad Dillard

Gee wiz this week flew! It was suuuuuccccchhh a great week, with a lot of challenges that eventually brought success. My companion and I have been at it all week trying to find people that are ready for the Gospel.

I find it interesting that in no matter what circumstance or situation we may be in out here we can always feel the Spirit. I have found that if we stay connected to our purpose and strive to always be worthy of the Spirit, we will be able to feel its influence and be lead by it in all places and through all things. I have an example for all of you. Last night after we had got out of dinner, we weren't entirely sure where we were going to go or what to do. We had planned the night before to see a few people in the area, but because our plans had fallen through earlier in the day, we ended up seeing those people earlier which left us with no plans for the evening. We saw a group of people sitting on some benches tucked back behind an old abandoned food market as we were driving past so we parked a little ways down the street and walked back to go talk to them. All of them were in their early 20's and they were all either drunk/high already, or well on their way ha. We start walking up to them and they all start yelling, "MORMONS!!!" haha it was great. As we talked with them we learned that even though all of them were living a really rough life style and they were all being held captive to drugs, tobacco, and alcohol, they still had a strong belief in God and had great faith.(even though they had a hard time showing it) Through the thick cloud of cigarette smoke, and the strong smell of alcohol, I was amazed at how strong the Spirit was. It was overwhelming! We had an absolutely fantastic conversation about Gods love, and His great Plan of Salvation that all of us are a part of, and my companion and I were able to stand before all of them and testify of Gods goodness and mercy.

They all live right near our church building, and I think it is safe to say that there is a pretty good chance that they will all be at church this next Sunday. It was such a great experience of feeling the Spirit and building a relationship with people that I normally wouldn't want to be around. I was reminded last night that regardless of what we have done, what we look like, where we have been, what situation we are in.. that we are all Gods children and He loves us all the same, and we are in this together. It is not our job to judge or put down, it is our job to uplift and encourage! Ahhhh I love my mission!

I love all of you. Have a good week!

Love,

Elder Bradley Dillard 

8/6/12 email from Elder Devin Dilard

EXCITING NEWS!  They are splitting up the St. Cloud ward! It's too BIG!  Hahaha. I love this problem. It is going to be split into Sauk Rapids Ward and St Cloud Ward. It's going to be sad for many and yet exciting at the same time. They haven't let the members in on all of the details yet. That wont happen until the 19th.  I may or may not be here. Transfers is the 15th, next Wednesday. We have been working with the Bishop and the Stake President to decide where the missionaries will go. So we have been enlightened a bit more, but have been sworn to secrecy. It's exciting to see who the new bishop and all other auxiliaries will be. Fun! This will allow for more effective missionary work now that missionaries wont be competing for members to go out and teach with. This is all good.

Yesterday was an exciting day at church! All 6 Saldana children were confirmed in sacrament meeting. My arms were tired haha. It took the majority of Fast and Testimony meeting. SO SUPER AWESOME!  The Sister Missionaries were on Cloud 9 all day!

We have come across many awesome people this week and I wish I had the time to tell you about each and everyone of them. My heart is so full. It is such an amazing thing to have a great love for people I have only known for a few minutes. To help them and see the spirit touch them is such a priceless event, and I can never get enough! It's the delicious fruit on the Tree of Life for sure!

Remember me talking about Matt Williams last week? Well...He ended up having an emergency and couldn't make it to meet with us last Monday. His Dad went to the hospital. He did however, reschedule to meet with us the next day. We taught him the Restoration lesson in a quiet room in the Library. It was super spiritual. To actually witness him praying to God, who when he first talked with me didn't know he existed, was a thrilling experience. Now he knows that God is there. His words, "I know that this is good. Usually I am nervous and have anxiety when meeting new people, but ever since we sat down I have felt calm and clear headed. No heroine or drug has ever done this for me."

So COOL! He accepted the baptismal invite and will be working towards September 15th. He came to church yesterday and loved it. He hasn't been to church in 20 years he said. Hopefully we can meet his girlfriend soon and teach them the commandments so that they can enjoy more fully the blessings that our Lord wishes to give them.

With this new ward split, Elder Filby and I will lose most of our investigators. We will have to allow them to be taught by the sister missionaries. This will take away 3 or our investigators who have baptismal dates, and quite a few others. The Lord knows whats best:D  Plus the sisters are powerhouses for providing the Spirit.

I was privileged to head to Alexandria, MN again yesterday for another baptismal interview. This one was for a David Elhers! He is so cool! Alexandria elders are on fire, and the ward is so amazing! All of their baptisms have come from member referrals.

Headed to Bloomington tonight to spend a crazy night with the Assistants and other Zone leaders. 20 missionaries crammed into an apartment means no sleep again, haha. I love life!


Please have an amazing week!!!!!


Love,


Elder Devin Dillard