Freedoms

Dear Family and Friends,

This week has included a lot of traveling, and a lot of miracles. We have been greatly blessed to be in the company of President and Sister Guffey. I can't help but notice the great sense of reverence that has swept the mission, in great deal I think because of the many evidences of the Lord's hand in this transition. It's fun to witness that and quite a testimony builder of the Lord's Revelation through Prophets and Priesthood keys.

We didn't get a lot of time to teach or find in our area, but of what we did get chance to do we are glad to see progression. One young man we are teaching named Peter has been making huge steps. He will be preparing to be Baptized on July 16th. HE sought and found the church on his own, asked his friend if he could go to church with them and has been attending since that time about 6 months ago. We only ran into him because he decided to come to the singles ward a few weeks ago. Sadly the member had never thought to introduce him to the missionaries... I can understand some timidity but I hope that we are a little more bold than that with inviting people to receive the blessings of the Gospel in their lives. Just a thought. The other person we are working with for Baptism on the 16th is Chris, and he has been investigating for about a year now. He has made so much progress lately and even started teaching us out of the Book of Mormon and wearing a white shirt to church of his own accord. It's amazing to see these visible changes, but more importantly to see the changes in behavior, desire and attitude when someone personally experiences the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

I am looking forward to the next two weeks in preparation for these two events as well as a big mission transfer. We'll be losing a lot of great missionaries then, but we'll receive more just as the Lord sees fit.

Lately I've started reading the Infinite Atonement with my spare time... haha not. I am amazed by the perspective and unfathomable comprehensive coverage that the Atonement brings into life. There really is no other thing that has a comparable level of value to all of creation. The better we understand it, the more enriched our lives may become by the enabling power thereof to have freedom from "the bands" which may fall upon us. I am grateful for the knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the great freedoms we enjoy in this wonderful land of America. A big thanks to those who also made great sacrifices to defend those freedoms. In the Book of Mormon I am just reading Alma 47-49 about Captain Moroni and the promise to those that keep the commandments of God upon this land, that they are blessed in all things both temporally and spiritually.

I love you all! Have a great week!

Elder McGarry