Letter from Curtis November 7, 2011

An interesting week. Ángel and Diana got baptized this week, but a family emergency took them to Cuernavaca on Sunday. They will be confirmed this upcoming Sunday. It has been a little exhausting. Élder García, we discovered (oficially) this week has flat feet. The mission doctor sent him to get plantillas. It will be a big help to him to have them. Changes are next week. It's been an interesting companionship. Perhaps they'll leave us together...Who knows? :)

It's interesting to see how the Lord guides and directs you and puts you where you need to be for certain missions at certain times. I think the primary reason I was with Élder García was to find out about his flat feet. I needed be here to work hard and show the members that they can have baptisms in this ward. They didn't believe in themselves as a ward, but they are seeing now that it is possible. We will end this change with four baptisms and, if all goes well, this month will see quite a few baptisms here in Ermita. I believed for a time that I didn't know how to help people towards baptism and confirmation. The Lord has shown me that I know how to help them the Lord's way, but sometimes my mission requires something else of me. I am glad to be able to do what He wants when He wants. All is well.

Having fully checked, Sister Bravo, the body builder less active member, doesn't have a registered baptismal date. According to the instructions of the church, we have to baptize her again. She will be baptized this Saturday. All is well.

This week's letter is brought to you by the hymn Let us All Press On:

1. Let us all press on in the work of the Lord,

That when life is o’er we may gain a reward;

In the fight for right let us wield a sword,

The mighty sword of truth.

[Chorus]

Fear not, though the enemy deride;

Courage, for the Lord is on our side.

We will heed not what the wicked may say,

But the Lord alone we will obey.

[Chorus: Alto, Tenor, and Bass]

Fear not, courage, though the enemy deride;

We must be victorious, for the Lord is on our side.

We’ll not fear the wicked nor give heed to what they say,

But the Lord, our Heav’nly Father, him alone we will obey.

2. We will not retreat, though our numbers may be few

When compared with the opposite host in view;

But an unseen pow’r will aid me and you

In the glorious cause of truth.

[Chorus]

Fear not, though the enemy deride;

Courage, for the Lord is on our side.

We will heed not what the wicked may say,

But the Lord alone we will obey.

[Chorus: Alto, Tenor, and Bass]

Fear not, courage, though the enemy deride;

We must be victorious, for the Lord is on our side.

We’ll not fear the wicked nor give heed to what they say,

But the Lord, our Heav’nly Father, him alone we will obey.

3. If we do what’s right we have no need to fear,

For the Lord, our helper, will ever be near;

In the days of trial his Saints he will cheer,

And prosper the cause of truth.

[Chorus]

Fear not, though the enemy deride;

Courage, for the Lord is on our side.

We will heed not what the wicked may say,

But the Lord alone we will obey.

[Chorus: Alto, Tenor, and Bass]

Fear not, courage, though the enemy deride;

We must be victorious, for the Lord is on our side.

We’ll not fear the wicked nor give heed to what they say,

But the Lord, our Heav’nly Father, him alone we will obey.

I have chosen to obey Heavenly Father. It is my sincere desire to follow him no matter what. I know he will help me in that desire. I know that He lives because I receive direction from him often as I pray and read the scriptures and attend church. I have heard His voice in the halls of my heart so often that I cannot deny Him. I know that He exists and loves me and is sincerely interested in me. I know that this is His church. Satan tries to shake me from that knowledge, but in my heart I know it is true. All things happen for a reason, and I know that my God is in control. I know that Christ Lives and is my Savior. I have no doubt any more about that.

All My Love,

Élder Sudbury

PS Mom, I hope that letter did the trick. You had more luck than I did :P. They had told me that the package was unrecoverable. Dad, you are oficially an inactive active member :). What stake did we end up in? Everything happens for a reason. Melanie and Tim, let me know what's new in the family. SaleeAnn and Matt, I hope you are enjoying fall in the East. Noella, I hope your plans are going well. Let me know the details about your job (as far as you can). Ju and Chris, let me know where you end up ;). I love you all dearly.