Although we sadly did not get a lot of teaching accomplished, this was a wonderful, spirit-filled week!! We made four trips to Fayette, Iowa this week and drove almost 700 miles! We were with the Fayette Elders when they taught Vanessa Jennings the final lesson on Tuesday, we then returned on Thursday as Elder Hunsaker interviewed her (followed by District Meeting). Saturday was the baptism!! I have had the great pleasure of baptizing a number of saints over the years, but this one was very special! 

This good Sister was so filled with the spirit that she nearly glowed. It was such a joy to be there and an honor to baptize her. She shared her written testimony and she learned a very important aspect of the gospel. The first half of her testimony "she" wrote, with a lot of struggling during the process. The second half, the "spirit" wrote the testimony for her and she knew it! The two halves were in complete and total contrast to one another, different style of writing, different use of the English language and; during the second half, she used the word "compelled" a word that she had never used before and didn't even know its' meaning. Prior to the baptismal service, she read her talk to Sister Warner and I and we immediately knew what had happened! The best part however, is that she knew it too! She commented, "the spirit is a very real thing!" Sister Warner and I asked the Elders to listen carefully as she read it during the service and to note the differences between the two halves of the talk. They were very impressed with Vanessa's ability to recognize a prompting and then react to that prompting. It was a joy to behold!! Sunday, Sister Warner and I drove to Fayette, as Vanessa had asked me to do the confirmation. As we formed the circle and we placed our hands upon her head, the spirit became overwhelming and I once again realized that we had witnessed a miracle! As Pres. Sullivan continued with Sacrament Meeting, he noted that he witnessed a tremendous outpouring of the spirit and that he was grateful for the opportunity to share with the congregation, the importance of listening to the still small voice. Elder Wadsworth spoke in Sacrament Meeting and he spoke from the heart and relayed a message "directly" from the Savior. What a wonderful day and a very spiritual Sacrament Meeting! We will never forget this glorious weekend!! Oh, those 700 miles that we drove? Worth EVERY single mile!!

As I mentioned before, we have been transferred to Nauvoo and have begun to pack our bags in anticipation of our move, on May 29Th. All of the arrangements have been made with the local Manchester people and with the District and Zone Leaders. We will miss the saints of Manchester and Fayette and of course, we will miss the Elders of the Manchester District. It has been a privilege to serve with each of them and we will always have fond memories of this area of Iowa. But, on to a new challenge and we feel blessed to be able to serve in the beautiful city of Nauvoo! There is much work to do in this area of the Lord's Kingdom and we look forward to starting this next phase of our mission experience.

I testify that this is the Lord's work and that through Him, we will gain salvation and eternal life. He is our only sure foundation to return to the Father once again. As missionaries, we preach repentance to all that will listen and even some that will not. I testify that the Lord loves us and that He knows our very thoughts. It is He that is our advocate with the Father. Our task as missionaries, is to share the good news of the gospel and then wait for the spirit to confirm the truth of all that we share.The Lord's Priesthood is again upon the earth and the fullness of Lord's church has been restored. The great Plan of Happiness is REAL and the world needs to know of this true and endearing message.

Read Alma 17. 

Stand Strong and Be Bold!!

Warmly,

Elder and Sister Warner