Feb 11,09 Elder Gatten

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> Hey family, friends, girlfriends, and whoever else is reading this and wants to know what is going on in my life. I hope that you are doing great. From the letters that I received this week it sounds like everything is running smooth, and everyone is happy! People are traveling, getting ready to travel, and just live what we call life. If only I could be in your shoes up there…
> So let’s see what is going on in my little world. This week I have been fine. I am in good health, happy more or less, and am growing in both body and spirit. This first week with a new companion has to be one of the strangest things that there is. You don’t know the person, you are obligated to be with them, and you have to find a way to make things work. Well low and behold we have done it. I like my companion, we teach well together. What is important is he makes me want to be a better person, and helps me look onward and upward. I feel the spirit so strong with him, it’s so different. The first lesson that we taught together we taught a family, and they started crying. We had not even practiced teaching together or anything, it just ran super smooth and the spirit was strong. We will work a ton here in my area. I do miss my "baby"companion Elder Warner though. He is one cool cat. But, like I remember dad used to always say," change is good for us", and it is true. You grow as a person when you move on to new things. I feel myself growing so much.
> We had a few baptisms this week too! We baptized a young women and her brother. It was a great baptismal service, planned out very well. I even bought a huge chocolate cake for them, so they were really appreciative. My opinion is that this day for anyone, the day they get baptized, is one of the most special days of their life, so we have to make it special. Now something that was not so special was the people that ended up coming to the baptism. Their uncle, friends, and mother came. But what I have to tell you is that they all practice MACUMBA. I did not even know what it was, but it is like voo doo. They worship the devil, and call him to reside in their presence and spirit. This last week when I went inside their house they were all dressed up in like pirate clothes, screaming at the top of their lungs, pouring water all over themselves calling the devil. They have tons of black statues, and candle lit in the house. It was probably about the worst thing I have felt in my whole entire life. I felt like the devil was looking over my shoulder into my eyes. I was so freaked out I just closed my eyes and began to pray. I just tried to keep my mind occupied and think of Christ. Then when I could not stand it anymore I just got up and left. It did not bug my companion as much as it did me, but it just haunted me. Anyways they were in the church for the baptisms. I felt so weird. That is one experience that I cannot really explain in words, but really affected me. I know the devil is real and he has power too, but just not a body.
> Besides that psycho experience, I felt the spirit so strong this week. I felt many times when I was testifying to people, that truly the things that I am teaching them are true. I know that I have a Father in Heaven and he love me. That gives me so much comfort. I know that I have a Savior who live, died, and suffered for me. He made it possible that my sins might become clean and I can return to the presence of my Heavenly Father. What a blessing, I feel so comforted by these eternal truths. I KNOW families can be together. I KNOW that Joseph Smith was called of god, and restored the church of Christ here upon the earth. I KNOW that the Book of Mormon is the word of god, and another testament of the Father’s son. I am so grateful that I have had the experience to receive these eternal truths and answers. I love this gospel. I love each of your so much. Thank you for your continued support and prayers. When the going gets tuff, the tuff turn to Christ!!! Ha. Love you all and have an awesome week!
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> Elder Gatten
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> my comp is the one on the right....elder kunz.
> and i took a pic with the old bishop cause he had a tie with the united states flag!
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