This week of miracles!

This week has been amazing. I want to tell you about Thomas:

Monday evening - received a media referal via text message requesting a Finding Faith in Christ, Book of Mormon, and "The Testiments" (which we don't give out). Sister Jepsen had the feeling that he might be another "Daniel" from a previous area who got baptized in 3 weeks.

Tuesday - one Zone leader and our District leader were following us around and came with us in the evening to meet him and hopefully teach him. We found out he had been investigating the church 4 years ago in Baton Rouge, then moved for work purposes and couldn't find it again. On Monday he had found a pass-along card at the Salvation Army store and called the number. We taught the first lesson. Knew it was all true. After we told Joseph Smith's story, he asked us when he could get baptised! We set the date for Nov. 26th

Wednesday - He came to Book of Mormon class and loved it. We took him on a tour of the church. He felt peace, nervousness, and excitement at the baptismal font. He told us that he had prayed after we left Tuesday night to find out if this is what he should do and got a yes. He met the bishop who took him downstairs and showed him the family history center where he stayed until closing.

Thursday - Found out he spent a couple hours at the family history center before our appointment. We taught the Plan of Salvation with a couple of members which he loved. He has been reading from the Book of Mormon. We also taught the Word of Wisdom. He told us that he had asked the Elders the first night before they left if he would have to quit smoking, they said yes. He went from 3 and a half packs to 4 cigarettes in a day and told us he had the goal to be done next Monday. He was sad to find out he couldn't drink coffee or tea, but knew he needed to.

Friday - Called us in the morning to tell us he had studied the scriptures in the Plan of Salvation pamphlet and understood it even more. He poured out his tea and put up the coffee pot. He asked if we were planning on coming over to teach again that day. We agreed to come. We were able to get Manfred and Patti (older couple, Manfred used to be the bishop) to come with us. We taught about fasting and tithing. He already knew what they were and had a testimony of them. He didn't have to work and spent almost all day reading.

Saturday - taught in the morning about the Atonement and the sacrement. He asked for anything we could give him that he could read and study. He spends almost all of his free time learning as much as he can.

Sunday - Got up super early because he was so excited to go to church. Came, and was nervous, but he loved it. In Sacrement mtg. Manfred invited him to sit with them. He told us that that made him feel more at home and comfortable (yay for listening to the spirit and inviting him to sit with them!).

This guy is sooooooooooo prepared. We found out he already stopped drinking and got rid of all his R-rated movies last summer because he saw his life wasn't going where it needed to go. We cannot take any of the blame for this man's progress. The Lord has prepared him. He is ready. And we'll probably move his baptismal date up a week!

How amazing this gospel is! No matter who says otherwise, it is true. It changes lives. God lives and there are people out there waiting to find His gospel! Amazing!

Love y'all!

Sister Cottam