June 8, 2015 Keep the commandments and serve others!

Hey everyone! Sounds like things are going good back in Indiana.
School is out, everyone is having fun, and more importantly you are
all doing some awesome church stuff, like the temple names and
preparing for the temple celebrations and such. Keep it up!
This week, and the past few weeks really, have been very slow. It's
frustrating, honestly. The number of lessons we teach has dropped
significantly, and we just can't really find new investigators. I feel
like I'm just not doing enough as a missionary, and I feel bad for
Elder Malauulu sometimes because when I first got here, we were pretty
busy. And now we just aren't. We stay busy trying to contact people
and all, but not much teaching. I know some points on your mission
will be super hard and slow and all, and that's fine. That's the way
it's supposed to be. But, we need to be doing more. I just don't know
what we can do. But we are trying. Our fast yesterday was all about
knowing what Heavenly Father wants us to be doing. How to use our
time, who to visit. Just to know His will for us and for this area. We
are meeting with the Bishop and Ward Mission Leader tomorrow to
discuss some important things that I think will help, so let's hope
that goes well.
In the midst of all the frustrating things, we still found A……  last
Saturday. A…….  is cool. The gospel can really help him, and we are
hoping he will let it. We have a lesson with him tonight, and hope to
put him on date for baptism. So that's exciting! At least there is one
bright spot.
This week has been super hot, like Mom pointed out. It's not fun. We
had the car, which was nice. Hopefully it isn't as hot this week when
we don't have the car, but we will see. I've got to get ready for
Brazil I guess....

Elder Malauulu and Elder Baldridge

Elder Malauulu and I are getting along really well still. I like him a
lot. So all is well in that area.
I don't have a whole bunch to say this week, so sorry about that.
My spiritual thought is something I read this morning. I was reading
about baptism in Preach My Gospel, and it talked about receiving and
retaining a remission of our sins. You receive a remission of your
sins when you make covenants with God like baptism. But retaining that
is the most important part. Look up Mosiah 4:11-12 and verse 26.
Basically, it's all about keeping the commandments and serving others.
I really liked how service is a big part of our retaining forgiveness.
It's not just about repenting and apologizing, but then we need to
show our desires to follow Christ by keeping the commandments and
serving others like Christ did. That is when we can always retain a
remission of our sins. So, strive for that, and I will too.
I love all of you. I hope your week is wonderful! I love this church,
and I love this work.
Elder Baldridge