Woohoo!

Dear All,

Yay for the Holladay's and their new chamaco! It's exciting to know that everything worked out well. And thank you for your letter, Carrie and Rachel. I love my family.

This week has probably been the best so far this transfer, even though it started out as the most stressful of my mission (funny how that works). Thursday and Friday we had a mission leadership training which I attended as a trainer. It was absolutely wonderful. So very uplifting, and very timely. More than anything, it was the presence of the Spirit that made it such a great event. As a group of about 60, we discussed the Fundamentals of Preach My Gospel and other ways to refocus ourselves on what is most important and how we can better serve others. I know you know this, and I know I knew it, but I had forgotten how central the Spirit is for doing this work effectively. The purpose of Gospel is to help us change; to be clean and made perfect through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. And the Spirit is the One who effects the change within our hearts, to change our desires and habits. In all we do, personally and with others, the Spirit should be present to continually help God's children to progress toward eternal life. As long as those we visit feel the Spirit, our goals will be realized.

Saturday afternoon the most rain I have yet to see in Arizona came pouring down. We got out of a lesson and had to walk a couple hundred yards to our car, crossing through a street flooded several inches. It was sweet! The air got a bit muggy this weekend because of it but it was also a lot cooler. Felt really nice.

We got a referral on Thursday for a man who went to the Mesa visitors' center a few months ago, and we left a note on his door on Friday. Saturday he called us back, and yesterday he came to church with his 11-yr old son! They really felt good and we have an appointment set this week. We're excited and feel confident that he'll soon be progressing. Another one of our investigators is still planning on being baptized in 2 weeks. She is understanding things well and just simply feels happier in life. Her nephew just moved in with her from Mexico and he seems to be honestly interested. 

Yes, Mom, you were right in telling David that things are going well. Very well I would say. But not too well that we start slacking. This is the last week of the transfer and we're gonna end it with a bang. I love you all and pray for you. Best of luck in your missionary efforts!

Con carino,

Elder Joshua Gathro