Ray's Baptism....no slips or cannonballs!

Elder Broulim     Ray     Elder Taylor

El Paso is HOT as always!  It has seemed 20X hotter this past week because it has been really humid.  I am soaking wet with sweat 24-7....who said I wouldn't be able to go swimming on my mission! jk.  It has been a great week!  We have worked harder than ever trying to make up for our down time last week!  The teaching poll for our new area is growing and we are seeing some progress!  We taught 23 lessons this last week and had a baptism Saturday night!  We are teaching a little more than half the lessons we used to teach before the split but it is a good start!  It has felt great to get back into the missionary work!

I went on exchanges with Elder Jensen on Wednesday.  It was awesome!  Elder Jensen is my district leader and is from good ole Boise Idaho!  he has been out for like 10 months I believe.  He played ball for a community college before the mish and is really good!  He knows Kamen from playing Idaho Select.  We found a lot in common and had a good time together.  I learned so much from him that I will be able to apply to my everyday teaching.  I also taught him a thing or two...(smile)

Ray's baptism has been a long process but finally happened Saturday night!  We weren't quite sure if it was going to happen until the night before!  Elder Jensen and I gave Ray his baptism interview on Wednesday and he DIDN'T pass with flying colors!  We had to touch up on a few things and help him to understand the word of wisdom and tithing a little better!  Once we set all that straight, he was more than ready!  Saturday was a special day!  The baptism went great and there were no slips or cannon balls ha.  I was given the opportunity to give the talk on the Holy Ghost.  It all went great!  Sunday was so amazing when Ray took the next step and received the Holy Ghost!  Ray is FINALLY a member of the TRUE church!

Something that I have enjoyed studying this week was the topic of Revelation.  The Lord leads and guides the church through revelation given to the prophet as well as to his children here on earth.  Each of us receive revelation daily!  According to our faith we can receive revelation to help us with anything!  We need to be prepared to receive revelation that comes through the Holy Ghost!  Pray to have it and it will be given to you (Matthew 7:7-8).  Random, I know, but we live off of revelation in the mission field!

I think the move to our new apartment has thrown the mail off!  I'm still looking forward to those caramel apples!  Take Care and know that I am working hard!

First Baptism, New Mission President, AND SURGERY

HAPPY 4^th of July!

How is everyone? I hope you are all having an awesome summer and are staying cool! I miss you and love you! Im so glad I get to email you today, It feels like its been forever.

It has been a long week and a half I must say. This week consisted of lots of Doctors appointments and not too much missionary work unfortunately. My surgery went well and I am slowly but surely recovering. I had 2 cysts removed, one in the middle of my back on the left and one on the lower right. It has been painful but everyday gets a little better! I know that we are tested and tried in this life to see if we will exersize our agency to follow Christ or satan. Satan has been working hard to get me down. He knows my potential and ability to hasten this work and kick butt out here, he wants me to give up and go home. One thing he doesn’t know is that I get knocked down, but ill get up again..and again. I can identify with joseph smith and the book of mormon a little bit now. Although my trials are hard, there is always someone who has it harder. I've been reading a lot in Alma. Alma 34 talks about having patience and hope in afflictions. Sometimes we have to do more than just read and tell the stories in the book of mormon, we have to live them. Along with Alma, D&C 122:7-8 have been scriptures that have given me lots of hope and comfort.  Sometimes we don’t know why things happen the way they do, but we do know enough--Enough to keep the commandments and do what is right. This has been hard for me, but if I can get through this, I can do anything.  With all my down time, I have spent a lot of time watching mormon messages. They are packed with the spirit and we can learn something from each one! I've also done a lot of pondering about my life. I am so grateful for the way things are going, but I have so much to learn and so many adjustments to make personally.

Chris’s baptism was awesome and was so rewarding. It was amazing to see him enter the waters of baptism to make covanents with Heavenly Father. I got to confirm him a member the next day in sacrament mtg. I was a bit nervous but the blessing was complete revelation and the spirit was so strong! It is amazing to see how the priesthood works!

The new President and Sister Miller hit the ground running this week! The new President Miller is an answer to my prayers. Tuesday night after the surgery, I was really struggling with lots of pain. I was praying for help and relief when the phone rang. I answered it and found the new president Miller on the other end.. “wow, finally I get to hear the famous Elder Broulims voice! I love you elder and can't wait to meet you!  I've heard so much about you!” He went on to tell me about how his sister in law own’s Lee’s markets and told him all about me and my family! It was an answer to my prayer that night and for my whole mission. He showed me both the humor and love that I needed! He knew that I wasn’t planning on making the 2 hour car ride to meet him that next day in Las Cruses but he told me to pray about it and that he really wanted to meet me. I layed in the back of the car for the miserable ride and made it to Las Cruses! After President and Sister Miller spoke to us on Wednesday, President Miller pulled me aside and I got the only personal interview from him for the day! We found so much in common and we found some things to laugh about. He is such a blessing to this mission! He has the ability to do so much with this work. I am excited to serve him and serve with him.

Thank you so much for all the support and love through not only letters and cards, but through prayers and fasts. I can truly feel them. It is hard being cooped up in the apartment all day but I know this is all part of the plan. I know that you would all be by my side if I was home, but wouldn’t want me there in the first place!  I want everyone to have the best 4^th of July and light a sparkler for me and dance like crazy! Play some Lee Greenwood and Katy Perry Firework in the boat loud enough that I can hear it! Most of all, have so much fun and remember that simply being together is the happiest and most fun you can have!    

I know this church is true and these challenges will be but a small moment! I love you all! Happy 4^th!