WEEK 47
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICK AND WYN
This past week has been crazy! Rexburg was flooded, many basements were destroyed,  29 in just one of our wards. We've been doing a ton of service.
Undeniable evidence has caused us to know that prayers are answered. We prayed that we could be able to baptize 2 people in August. About an hour later we received a text telling us about 2 young men who want to get baptized, who we haven't met yet. There is NO DENYING that Heavenly Father is in this missionary work. He desires the salvation of his children, and HE ANSWERS PRAYERS.

Philippians 4:6-7
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

As we pray to Heavenly Father for what we need and are grateful, we are blessed with peace.

Prayer is SO IMPORTANT. So I'd like to challenge all of you to improve your prayers. Pray and ask Heavenly Father how you need to improve them.
Honoring God
Elder Decker

GERMANY WON THE WORLD CUP! 

I HAD A LOVELY TRIP TO THE ER!

I FEEL ALMOST COMPLETELY HEALED!

WE HAD A BAPTISM! WOOT! WOOT!

Most important things first, the baptism went amazingly. M.M.

is amazing and way prepared. She typed out her testimony for us, but I don't currently have a copy of that to attach... sad. BUT I have a few pictures! She's 18 and was prepared incredibly. She has SUCH a strong testimony. Plus, about 120 people came to her baptismal service. (that's a lot of people.) I guess that's what happens when one of the few non members in the High School gets baptized. We had everyone write their testimonies on note cards and made her a little baptism journal!

I am SO thankful for the opportunity that I've had to help her to draw closer to Jesus Christ through baptism. Just like her, I know that this is the Restored Church of Jesus Christ.

The trip to the ER was exciting. I called the Doctor about an increased pain since last Sunday, and he told us to head for the emergency room in IF immediately. He thought that I might have a bile leak... which isn't a good thing at all... 

I didn't have a bile leak, but it has been discovered that bile has been flooding into my stomach, which has been causing the increased pain. The Mission Doctor put me on some meds that shield my stomach, so, I'm feeling FANTASTIC! Almost normal, which I have not felt for the past 2 months. 

We should be getting iPads by the end of the year. Fun stuff!

Heavenly Father allows us to go through challenges so that we may learn. C.S. Lewis said "Courage is the testing point of every virtue." I really feel that I was pushed to my limits. It was really hard to keep spirits high and to try to help my companion in the work, but I did it, and only could, because of Jesus Christ. He helped me as I relied on him. THAT is true courage, relying of Christ to help us, when we know that there is no other way. Courage is difficult. It's HARD. It requires faith. 

We are given opportunities to exercise faith and courage so that we may grow. I know that as we rely on Christ, we can and WILL overcome ALL things. Then we will prove our virtues. Then we will grow to be more like Christ. THEN we will be who God wants us to be.

 Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Honoring God

Elder Decker

Week 45 was probably the most interesting week of my mission thus far:

- surgery

- 4th of July

- great success

- I am currently high on Hydrocodone (which has been prescribed to me) and is an Opiate. It is also used in Vicodin.

So if something sounds strange or out of it, that's normal.

Surgery went well. It was actually kinda fun. 3 other Elders and I created some havoc in our pre operation room. We were having a good time. They asked us to close the door. I wonder how often people who are about to have surgery need to close the door because they're being to loud... 

I was recovering pretty well until yesterday (Sunday.) I just felt awful and discovered a new yellow splotch around one of my incisions. I really hope that I am not ...infected...

The 4th of July was alright. We had the entire day off. I am SICK of resting, so the whole day I was just incredibly bored, until fireworks with the Brown family. That was fun. Let it be known that not doing anything is the bane of my existence. I feel like a useless schmuck. (I JUST SPELLED SCHMUCK CORRECTLY ON MY FIRST TRY! Most will not understand how much of a step that is for me. My spelling is atrocious.- I misspelled atrocious on my first try....) 

We've had a fantastic week in the work! We found 2 new people to teach and taught a LOT (well, my companion did while I was resting.) We got a whole bunch of referrals also, so EVEN MORE people who are prepared for the gospel. Heavenly Father is the best. In our times of trials, he blesses us with the motivation/ability to continue when all of our strength is lost.

Moroni 7:33

33 And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me.

If we have faith in Jesus Christ and do all in our power, we are PROMISED power to do all things that we are required to do. You have no idea how much that promise means to me.

I know that this is the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have modern prophets, guides, to help us in these days of tribulation. Don't doubt, but be believing. 

Honoring God

Elder Decker