Hey everybody!
It has been such a good week amidst some hardships we had to endure
this week. But as we continued to do the Lord's work, He always
prepared a way for us.
Throughout the week, Elder Thielen had a nasty stomach flu which
really prevented us from doing work in the morning. After taking
enough medicine and getting a lot of rest, we were able to go out and
do the Lord's work!
On Wednesday, we saw Gentry Lamartin and Cindy Sutjak, the couple that
just recently move from the Bethlehem area. Cindy made a great
lasagna! Which was lactose free to my surprise. After dinner, we
taught them and Gentry's son, Gentry Jr., about the Restoration. It
went really well and we gave Gentry Jr. his own personal copy of the
Book of Mormon. Cindy is still a hesitant about praying for the truth,
but we are taking baby steps with her. She listened very intently and
we are pretty sure she felt the Spirit as we taught.
Thursday was the highlight of our week without question. Taught
Porscha and Demarkus the Restoration and they loved everything that we
taught. We weren't able to finish the Restoration, but we felt moved
by the Spirit to invite Demarkus to be baptized which he gladly
accepted a date on June 12th! It was so great to hear him accept that
baptismal date. We are so excited to continue working with with him,
and ultimately, have their family be sealed for all time and eternity
in a year! We also helped a family (the Davey's) move in that came
from Tampa, Florida. It was really short notice, so it was only us and
another member help out. But between us and the Davey's we got it done
in under an hour. They were so grateful we were able to help them out
in such short notice, and it was great to be able to help them out.
Especially in the pouring rain!
Friday was Elder Thielen's birthday (The big 20)! He was feeling
better more than he did the rest of the week which was great because
we helped Sarah Horvath out with Brother Thompson on finding her
family names to take to the temple! She will be going next week which
is very exciting. However, she is leaving Kutztown for the Summer so
Tuesday will be our last visit with her before she goes home for the
Summer. We also had a great Birthday Dinner with the Bussiere's where
we had his favorite meal, breakfast. Then we had a really great lesson
on the Restoration! It was really powerful for Matt, one of the
Bussiere sons. He is coming out of less activity and preparing to go
on a mission. He was glued on everything we taught and testified.
Overall, it was a real fun birthday for Elder Thielen.
Sunday was really cool too! Demarkus came to church with his wife and
two kids. We talked to him after it was over and he told us he really
felt the Spirit and it felt natural to be there. Sarah also got to
bear her testimony for the first time since she was baptized! Jenny
and Corbin and the kids also were not able to make it to church
because they both got sick, but we went over there to teach them and
we found out they are doing daily family scripture study and prayer.
The family overall, is changing. They want better lives and are
letting go of the bad in their life. That's what the Gospel does, it
changes people for the better. It really is a testimony to me that
what I teach is true because I see it right before me eyes. I'm
confident Corbin and Christian will be prepared for baptism. I just
know it.
I hope all of you are doing great! New month means new opportunities!
I just want to take a sec to say how grateful I am for my Mom. She has
been such a great example to me and my siblings. She has been a loving
mother and wife and continues to do be everyday. She truly has shown
me the importance of living the Gospel and having it be a part of my
life. Like the Stripling Warriors in the Book of Mormon, I do not
doubt, for my Mother knows it. I love my Mom very much, I'm grateful
to be her son and be out here to learn how to be an even better son.
I'm grateful that families are eternal and that my family will live
for all of time and eternity. Mothers have a divine calling, and it is
imperative that we all recognize it and respect that sacred calling.
Personally, I can't wait to talk to her on Sunday for Mother's Day! I
hope all of you have a great Mother's Day!
Elder Cortes
Kutztown, PA
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