Good Bye LaGrange

Hello Friends and Family!                           

This week has been another incredible week here in LaGrange! I do want to testify that I know that the Savior lives, and loves us each individually. I know that the tomb is empty, and that He is Risen. I love being a missionary more than anything else in the whole wide world, and wouldn't change being here for my weight in gold. I have gained such a strong testimony of this Gospel, and the Power that can come into our lives because of the Atoning sacrifice of our brother, and the Beloved of the Father, Jesus Christ. I know that there is no power greater, more whole, or more worthy, than that of His Infinite Love.

There was one simple experience that I wanted to share with all of you this week. Elder Sieverts and I have continued to work with Brother Blair, and his wife, to bring them back to Church. He has continued to come to Church, and shows an increasing desire to learn and grow towards entering the Holy House of the Lord: The Temple. We had another super spiritual lesson with him. We entered into his home, sat down, and began with our prayer. We asked how he had been, and he said, "Elders, I wanted to show you something!" He pulled out his phone, and pulled up the Book of Mormon app. He said, "I have begun listening to the Book of Mormon, and just feel such power with it." He read from the Testimony of the Witnesses (at the front of the Book of Mormon), and said, "Isn't it amazing how many witnesses God has given to us that this is true?" We bore our testimonies of the Book of Mormon, and how it truly is Another Testament of Jesus Christ. We continued by teaching him the Restoration lesson, and when we got to how the Gospel Blesses Families, I felt prompted very strongly to ask him, "Brother Blair, what does your family mean to you?" He began to cry, and after a few minutes of spiritual silence, said, "I have my son (who was baptized) who lives just a few minutes away from here. I want y'all to go teach him and his wife. His wife has always been asking me questions about the Church, and I think she would join if she had the chance. I just really want to go get sealed in the temple to my son, also." How amazing is that? I was so touched by the Spirit that we had found more information about his family, and about potential individuals that we could teach someday. At the end of our lesson was the most spiritual part. Elder Sieverts and I bore our testimonies, and then he asked if he could bear his. We said of course, and he then said, "I believe this Church is true. I feel the Spirit. I know God loves me. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." I kid you not, this was one of the best moments I've had on my mission. Here was someone who hadn't been coming to Church for over 20 years, now beginning to say that he believed this Church was true and that he could feel the Spirit. Elder Sieverts and I were so overwhelmed with the Spirit, that we couldn't help but shed a few tears of joy with him. 

Jesus Christ had found one of His lost sheep. 

Brother Blair came to Church on Sunday, and when he walked in, said, "I haven't fasted for almost 20 years. I'm so excited!" I couldn't help but reflect on that, and what he said. How many times do we still get excited to do the little things in the Gospel which make all the difference (like fasting)? It was such a humbling reminder to me of the important, yet simple, steps in following the Savior.  A Sister stood up in testimony meeting and said, "Brothers and Sisters, I felt prompted to stand up and tell you about my open heart surgery I went through almost five years ago. God got me through it." Instantly, Brother Blair burst into tears. He (as a reminder) had open heart surgery less than a month ago, and it was because of this that it has caused the desire in him to come back to Church. As this Sister bore her testimony about what got her through that time, you could tell that Brother Blair was truly feeling the Spirit. After the meeting ended, Brother Blair walked right to that Sister, and gave her the biggest hug and said, "Thank you. I needed that."  

During Priesthood Meeting, they asked Brother Blair to introduce himself. He stood up and said, "Brethern, I've fallen off the path. But I'm beginning to feel more found each day. I am happy to be here, and excited to work side-by-side with you. I know God lives, and I believe that this Church is true." What seemed to be a 'typical' church meeting quickly became much more. A simple testimony has the power to change all those who hear it, through the Spirit.

Exactly eight months ago, I was able to enter the city of LaGrange, Georgia to fulfill my purpose as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I found out last Wednesday that I would be leaving, and would be serving as a Zone Leader (in another area). What an absolute bitter-sweet moment. There are very few words that can accurately describe the deep emotions I feel, and the humility that sweeps into my soul as I ponder over the countless valuable, and spiritual, lessons I have learned. 

I want you each to know how much I love the Lord, and how deeply I know this Church to be true. I do know that the Book of Mormon is true, and that it is Another Testament of Jesus Christ. I have grown spiritually here, in LaGrange, more than I have ever grown my whole life.  I am excited to see what comes next, and see where the Lord takes me. 

"And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!" (D&C 76:22)

Until Next Week-

Elder Robb