Our Busy Elder

Another week by, and so many more stories are in the book! The weeks are days, the days are hours, and the hour’s minutes it seems to me these days. Before I know it another week has gone, another baptism has passed, and another week is ahead of me and I am making more goals for the work. Time is so fragile; I have learned to use it wisely. It is nuts for me to think that the summer break is coming to an end there at the house, because it feels like it started last week. There is truth behind the statement that the older you get, the faster time goes!Many of you ask me if I still do the regular missionary work, along with my other responsibilities. The answer to that is yes. There are a couple days during the week when I am out in my area, and I have the opportunity to work with members, and prepare my investigators for their baptisms. Although, I have the responsibility of looking over twenty four other areas as well, and it is my responsibility, along with my companion, to work along with the missionaries there, and supervise the work. We have been having baptisms weekly here in the area, and have a couple more weddings that will be happening at the beginning of next months. Now we are in the process of doing the marriage papers, and worthiness issues. The work never stops, and the cycle is so vicious! Day in and day out, you have to give everything that you have, because that is what the people expect of you, including the lord. All of your heart, might, mind, and strength…..there is no joke about that; you give it your all. Exhaustion is a word that you hear a lot here, but the missionaries of the Brazil Manaus Mission never give up, they are all worriers. Sun, heat, storms, and floods, it does not matter baby!There were some members that brought their next door neighbor families to church this last Sunday! I was so pumped that they did such a thing! We got right on top of things and marked visits with the investigators. We marked two family’s baptisms, and a couple other single women’s baptisms also for this month, and the following. There is one thing that president soares from the area presidency of Brazil told us in a training a couple of weeks ago; members+missionaries baptize more! It is so true, as both work together in this sacred work, there is no other way for the ward or stake to go but up. The lord reveals things to his leaders, and they pass these spiritual truths to us; it is important that we heed their words and council, and become true disciples of Jesus Christ not only in the words but the deeds also.I love living the gospel! I love the comfort it brings in my life, and the reassurance it gives me as I am tried daily by satin. It strengthens me, and answers the questions of my soul. Spiritual knowledge is not based upon theory or opinion, but fact, feelings, and direct revelation from our heavenly father. Spiritual knowledge gets us places, and opens our minds to the things which the world hides from our eyes. I am so grateful for the blessings I have received as I have been obedient to his commandments, and know that if I continue to do his will I will be blessed for eternity. The gospel is true, it is the way, it is the true plan of happiness that brings us closer to our heavenly father than we have ever been before since our pre-mortal existence. Spiritual knowledge thins the veil, and opens our minds to eternal truths, and happiness. Faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and walking the path faithfully unto the end; this is why we are here; this is the mortal/temporal plan our father in heaven has placed before us. Death does not separate us, only puts to test our faith until we see the faces of our beloved ones once again in the spirit world. Judgment is resurrection also; each one of us is subject to this eternal principal and gift. We can, through our diligence, obedience, and desires of our hearts return to the presence of our father, but to the contrary each principle if not lived to the extent of a celestial law, can make the distance between us grow. The plan is perfect, without flaw. The lord is all knowing, and his love unconditional. I know that I can be with my family forever. I know why I am here in this mortal tabernacle, and I know where I came from. I love the gospel, I know its true. I know that we have a loving heavenly father, and he watches over us. I know that we, as our savior did, conquer death, and live again. This brings comfort to my soul, and brings purpose to my life. The now is what is important. We must prepare ourselves so that the future is not lost. Tomorrow is not promised to any one of us, so make today worth is. I love you all, and wish you the best. May you live the gospel, and seek to do that which the lord wishes. Blessings only await us. Until next week…Elder Gatten