Sincerely, Elder Watkins: Church Attendance (Week 73)

This week has been another crazy one. not sure where to start.

On Saturday We went over the baptismal interview questions with Joseph, haha he totally googled them before we came over. We would be half way through asking the question and he would finish it and give a bold yes. He is ready. He has developed a firm testimony of the restored gospel all he needs to do is quit smoke completely by the 12th of February. He is so excited to be baptized. Everything is starting to come back together in his life. Him and his dad found a car (a super legit Chevrolet 70's Wagon). The Newland's offered him a part time job to help around the auto pit, and on Thursday he went to some thrift stores and got some church clothes and a light tan suit. He looked awesome!

John will be baptized on the 26th and we will be going over the interview questions with him tomorrow.

Sunday was amazing, a member of the bishopric, a member of the high council, and President Bowmen spoke. We had five investigators at church (Karri, Joseph, Jimmy, Josh, and John) and 10 less-actives. It was amazing! No doubt one of the best Sunday services I've been to while I've served in Ponca City. Karri is progressing really fast, she will most likely be baptized next month. Church is the greatest thing in the world to her. She looks like she is floating from class to class. It's rewarding so see her smile at the end of church. Her joy is full. She is praying still to find an answer if she should be baptized. I think she has already got it.

I have bittersweet news about James. He is not doing well and is in the hospital again. He sleeps most of the time and when he is awake he is out of it. We got a phone call from the mission office with news that when he passes his grandson plans on doing his proxy work. I know that he will quickly accept it. He has been a big blessing in my life and I am grateful that I got to teach him and see him spiritually grow. We found out the day before he went to the hospital he was telling everyone about his baptism. He is one of the greatest missionaries I know. He was never afraid to share what he knew was true. The first time he got admitted to the hospital (when he fell) He taught the nurses the whole restoration. He will make a wonderful missionary in the spirit world. Keep him in your prayers.

Thank you for you emails and letters. I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week full of spiritual experiences!

Sincerely, Elder Watkins

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