A Special Visit from Elder M. Russell Ballard

A gift from home- a little bit of sunshine

When life gives you oranges, make juice!

Happy birthday to my little brother, Colton, who turned 11 this week! His voice will be cracking by the time I get back. =P

I helped Elder Johnson cut his hair last night. We should have had someone taking pictures! He buzzed it all himself, and then asked me to blend it through and do the back of his neck. I have NEVER done that before, but I think I did a pretty good job! Except for the large chunk missing above his ear...just kidding! But really, I was impressed with myself. I'm still too nervous to cut my own hair, though.

Our area is really blossoming. We're seeing miracles left and right, and the hand of the Lord is very apparent in our lives. He truly is working right alongside us in His vineyard (Jacob 5!). We have a baptism for the Heritage Park ward this coming Sunday, the first baptism that this ward has seen in quite a while. Our teaching pool is growing, and our numbers are higher than they've been since I've been here. This area is on the up and up! =D

Now, for what you've all been waiting for...Elder Ballard's visit to the mission! This weekend with him was incredible. Saturday morning, we had a joint mission conference with the New Hampshire Manchester mission, and this was the highlight for me. Elder Matthew J. Eyring of the 70, Pres. Craig C. Christensen of the Presidency of the 70, and Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles addressed us. Elder Ballard shook hands with every single one of us before they spoke. I had the privilege of playing the hymns for the meeting, as well as about an hour's worth of prelude beforehand. I really enjoyed doing so, and Elder Ballard told me "Great job!" before the meeting began. It was an uplifting, inspiring, and encouraging couple of hours. The Spirit was so strong; needless to say, I took LOTS of notes. Elder Ballard also left an Apostolic blessing upon us, which was amazing; I could just feel the strength that the Lord was giving me through one of His chosen servants. He blessed us with health, strength, courage, increased faith, that our righteous desires would be fulfilled, and several other things. On Sunday, Elder Ballard spoke at the Nashua stake conference (technically not a stake conference, actually), for which I translated. Also a very powerful meeting! Funny moment - my companion and I were in the bathroom and I had just finished washing my hands when none other than Elder Ballard stepped in to use the bathroom. "Well, hello Elders!" Elder Johnson and I got a good chuckle out of that.

Speaking of apostles: Elder Dallin H. Oaks recently visited Asia, and said that the Lord loves His Asian children. It made me excited to see His work going forward in the area of the world whose people I have the privilege to serve.

http://www.lds.org/prophets-and-apostles/a-great-work-in-asia?lang=eng

Meredith, the investigator who will be getting baptized this week, has now been taught everything. I'm so excited and happy for her, to say the least. It's been amazing to witness the changes she has made in her life - she quit the use of substances that went against the Word of Wisdom and threw everything out from her home. She took out her extra piercings (without us bringing it up or even asking her to do so!) and she just looks as if some massive burden has been lifted from her shoulders. This is true repentance. This is the power of the Atonement in action, and this is the reason why we devote ourselves to the service of our Savior for this sacred time. I feel blessed and privileged to take part in this His marvelous work and a wonder.

With love,
Elder DeLong