Farewell to the Field

Dearest Family and Friends,

                                               It is with the utmost gratitude that I have the privilege to write you today and conclude my feelings to you all about having served the last two years in the Ohio Cleveland Mission. To attempt to encapsulate all the feelings of my heart into a single letter would be futile, but I do wish to share the things I feel matter most in relation to my testimony and the concluding my mission this week. I have heard said once that the most important word in the English language is the word "Remember". As children of God I believe we are at most peace when the spirit whispers truth to us, because in those moments we remember the Fathers love and the place from whence we came. We do not remember learning our first lessons of truth before the world was; what it must have been like to be there and to anticipate the purpose for which His plan was established! What it must have been like to see Michael and his angels war with the dragon for worth of souls. Only if we could remember the Savior volunteering His will to the Father for His love of the Father and betterment of the His children. It is wisdom that we do not remember these things but what it will be to remember again them in due time. For now, we do as Paul directs and "walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor. 5:7) and struggle to remember who we have been, who we are and who we are becoming. Coming on a mission knowing that God loved us. I came believing in miracles. I came knowing that the Book of Mormon was the word of God and that it's translator was a Prophet of God. I came knowing the Atonement had the power to heal wounds and liberate sinners. I want you, my dear brothers and sisters, to know that I have not forgotten what I knew then and that by the grace of God I have been able to share these things with my all my heart to the wonderful people of Ohio. I still know that God loves us. I have seen miracles. I have seen the Book of Mormon fill those who sought for truth and righteousness, in fact, I never taught a person who read it as Moroni directed who was not convinced of it's truthfulness and then baptized. It is the word of God. I still know that Joseph is God's prophet and through His instrumentality, the foundation of this marvelous work was laid. I thank God for a prophet. Above all, my brother and sisters, I still know that Jesus is the Christ; the Redeemer of the whole human family and that His grace is sufficient to save souls; even a wretch like me. I count these past two years of service to be a small thing, for they are only the surface of discipleship; to follow Him is forever. My mission was not a sacrifice, it was a privilege to follow God. We give up those things we think we truly want and in return we receive those things we truly need, and ironically we call it a sacrifice... What could the Father tell the world of sacrifice, of death? He sent His son to die for us and rise with living breath. What does the Father ask of us? What do the scriptures say? Have faith, have hope, live like His Son, help others on their way. So my prayer is that we remember what a sacrifice truly is and that we remember the sacrifice that was made for all of us. If the most important word in our language is remember, it is my prayer we remember Him. "And keep His commandments which he has given [us], that [we] may always have His spirit to be with us". I know I will always remember the Ohio; for these were days never to be forgotten!

 

                                                             In the end, my prayer is that it will be said of me "He believed in Christ". May whoever reads this know that this testimony is true. I look forward to the reunion with so many of you who I appreciate and love. Thank you for your prayers in my behalf! They worked! May the glory be to God henceforth and forever! Amen and Amen! 

                                                                             Love Always, Elder Brandon Prince

Homecoming Informtaion

Elder Prince will be reporting his mission on June 16, 2013

The meeting will begin at 12:30 pm

The Chapel address is 2350 creek rd, sandy

Last Full Week in Ohio

Dearest Friends and Family,

                                               Hello! Hope that everyone back home or abroad is doing very well. Another week has flown by here in Youngstown and Elder Chapman and I are busy as ever. This is my last full week of proselyting which seems to me just like any other week. I don't think the brick wall of reality has set in that my entire focus is about to shift and my mission is really coming to an end. Well, I have a few more days to run and preach the gospel. Elder Chapman and I have had alot of success in finding new investigators these last two weeks and the teach pool has grown. This is exactly what I had been praying for, that Elder Chapman and his new companion would have lots of people to work with before I left. I am confident that this ward will have several baptisms in the coming months.

 

                                               I have to be brief today but I wanted to share a few feelings with you based on my studies this week. I have felt  a greater appreciation for the Atonement this week. I have pondered the scriptures and particularly seven utterances made by Christ from the cross in Calvary. I really tried to put myself there and understand Him as best as my mortal mind could. One of my trainees called me this week to wish me a happy birthday and told me how he was thinking about my mission and the time I have left and said to me "I hope you remember how the Savior lived the last week of His life; let that motivate you to do the same in the last week of your mission". I appreciated his words so much and thought more about the Saviors last week of his mortal mission and ministry. One scriptures spoke to me more than any other in my study, Mark 15 : 34:

 

34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

 

                                               To me this scripture is unique to any scripture in all of the standard works. It illustrates the most vulnerable moment of our Lord's life and the final conflict of His war over evil. Unique because it shows Christ in a tone of question that is not found anywhere else. I tried to imagine facing all of the horror of evil and the darkness thereof alone. This scripture pierced my heart this week and testified of the complete power of the Atonement and the ability that Christ has to reach us. No matter how alone we may feel I know that His compassion is extended towards us. I love this gospel and the privilege it affords to me to repent, be healed and become more like my Master. I love preparing for the sacrament and feeling the Spirit walk with me as the new week begins. I hope that we may all see that Christ has gone before us and will aid us in our need. I hope we all accept His gift for us. I love you all and hope that you have a great week! 

Love Always, Elder Prince

Hello from Youngstown

Most Dear Family and Friends,

                                                    Another Monday and another week! I am so excited for this! This week has been great! I had the opportunity early in the week to travel to an area I had never been before and work along side my friend Elder Lincoln for the day. We spent the whole day in Alliance, OH and had no real solid appointments set. We spent about 6 hours out knocking doors and talking to people on the street. I told Elder Lincoln before we started that I wanted to act as if this was our area and we were not just on exchange for the day and that the things that we accomplished would be in an effort to accomplish our end goals in the area of baptizing souls and bringing them into the ward. I told him I wanted to find 'atleast' one person prepared by the Lord to hear the gospel. In the space of 6 hours we walked only two streets and talked to a total of some 15 persons and it was one of the most meaningful days of finding I had ever had on my mission. We met some of the most prepared people! One family let us right in and explained that they were looking for a church and that they had a step grandmother who was LDS. Another Young woman had been blessed as a baby in the church but never baptized and use to attend frequently until her grandma, who she attended with (a member) had passed away. We met two people who were previously taught by the missionaries and were happy to have us back and lastly a couple who actually flagged us down and asked if we could help them! There are few things as satisfying on a mission than being at the end of an exchange with another missionary and being able to say "Elder, we saw miracles today!". We had a great time together and I was able to interview a young part-member husband for his baptism while I was in town that night. I love conducting baptismal interviews and getting a feel for the given persons testimony and witness of the truth.

 

                                                  I also had the tender mercy and opportunity of being able to return to North Olmsted this week. I hadn't been there in merely 8 months since I was released as an Assistant. I got to go and visit with people I had taught in the past and continue to encourage them. Elder Ingersoll and I also got to go to dinner with David and Danielle Torres! It was so nice to be with them again and see their goodness and progress.

 

                                                  Things continue to go well here in Youngstown. Nancy and Shawn are still doing terrific and we got a new investigator to church this Sunday. His name is Todd and he is such a good man. He has come such a long way in his life and has been trying to find the gospel for years. I asked him what he thought of church as we sat together in the chapel after the meeting, he smiled and said "I think I've found the place". Yes!!!!

 

                                                   It was great to speak with my family yesterday. It is always a challenge to try and capsulate all of the feelings of my kindred love for you all. I was so glad to hear your good voices (especially Isaac, whoa!). You are all so terrific and I am so blessed to have you. In particular, Mom, I want you to know how much I love you. You are a precious gift of God to all who know you and we are blessed by the quality of your life. You have taught us all so much about the Savior and you did it largely without having to say much at all. Your love and selflessness are your greatest sermon and we all know that you know your Redeemer lives. Thank you for bearing me and bringing me up in the way I should go, I've truly been born of goodly parents! I love you all and hope that you are well! Pray for Elder Chapman to find the elect this week! 

Thanks! Love, Elder Prince

At work in Youngstown

Dear Family and Friends!

                                          Great to be with you all this week! The work here in Youngstown is going great. The week started off with Elder Chapman and I traveling to Cleveland for a Missionary Leadership Council. It was great to attend and to be there with all of the Zone Leaders and our training sisters. We were able to council and train and it felt like coming home to be in the mission office again voicing our opinions and being edified with our great leaders. Five of our current Zone Leaders are members of my transfer and President gave us the opportunity to bear our testimonies due to the fact that it would be our last council together. I lamented doing this to be honest as it hit me perhaps like it hasn't yet to this point that my time is very limited and these privileges are my last of the season. I felt humbled to share my simple witness; I felt filled with the spirit and trembled as I let them all into my chest for a moment. I will miss days like this.

                                           We had a great week in our area. We have had the opportunity to give alot of service doing different things from scrubbing cigarette residue from every square inch of our investigators walls and ceilings to raking a three level back yard covered in old leaves; it was so much. Our investigator Shawn came out teaching with us on Saturday and also helped give service. This young man is so stellar; he is living his baptismalcovenant and he hasn't even been baptized. Nancy is our other baptismal date right now and she is also doing amazing. We are being blessed to work with some very humble people right now; it is refreshing too because they both understand that this isn't all about them; it is about Him and everyone else and they are so anxious to serve.

                                          This weekend was Youngstown Ohio's Stake Conference and I got to see many old friends from Ashtabula and Warren. One woman came up to me and said "Elder Prince, you have been on your mission for 4 years!", I had to laugh because to see the people fromAshtabula it seems that way. It has been a long road that went by in no time. My biggest concern at the moment is getting as many people to teach as are ready before I leave so that Elder Chapman may have plenty of work to do this summer!

                                            Things are well and time is fast. Miracles are happening here every day. I know that God lives and is the author of all the good I see. I hope that you all will see the God this week! 

Love, Elder Prince

Full sprint in Ohio

Dearest Family and Friends,

                                                This has been one of the fastest weeks of my mission; I can hardly believe I am hear reporting again! I'll have you all know that our investigators are doing great and one of them bore her testimony yesterday in sacrament meeting; it was so edifying to hear her. We are working very closely with the ward and availing ourselves to any service we can render. This may be the shortest e-mail I've ever written so I apologize but I want to leave you with my testimony this week. I am grateful to say that I represent Jesus Christ in Youngstown, OH. I can testify that it is by His grace I am permitted to do any good works. I am grateful for my purpose of inviting others to come unto Him; there is no more noble purpose and to be called in my weakness to declare His gospel is truly a honor. Elder Chapman and I are continuing to enjoy our time together. I wish I could expose the goodness of this Elder adequately. I know we are creating a friendship that will span into the eternities! I love you all so much and am grateful for your support and prayers! I know that our Father Lives! I know our Redeemer Lives because the Spirit tells me it  is so! Love you all and hope that you have a wonderful day! 

Love, Elder Prince

Enjoying my life

Dearest Family and Friends,

                                                Things are off on the right foot here in Youngstown. I have to tell you that from the first day it has felt so good to be working with my brother Elder Chapman. He is a missionary that truly serves with all he has and I am so privileged to be his companion right now. I have seen many miracles this week. I have been in the area on previous exchanges in my mission and it seems that all of the people that I had only brief moment to meet in the past are the people that I have been able to connect with in a deep way already in only a few days time. There is so much that has happened I don't have sufficient time to explain it all but I have had some cool experiences that I will touch on lightly.

 

My first night in the area I had the privilege of going to Youngstown University to teach a class on social diversity. We did a cover of our religion and had the opportunity to bear testimony to a class of 40 students and then opened up our time to a Q&A session. I love being able to testify to others and to clear up all of the misconceptions that people have. I was joking around, fist bumping and getting heartfelt all in the same setting; it was alotof fun.

 

We are teaching a young man who we received through media referral last week and he is so prepared to hear the gospel! His name is Shawn and he has such a contrite spirit. Through the course of the week we have been able to teach him and to listen to him bear testimony of how he has felt as he studied the gospel has been inspiring. He said he has not had a particularly happy life and that some two months ago he found a Book of Mormon in his house and began to read. He said I have been happier in these last few months than at any other time in my life. We have committed him to baptism and he came for the first time this Sunday. He expressed to us that he would like to work towards being a missionary one day! We will keep you posted on Shawn!

 

Also, we are working with a part member family; the Smeltser's. After a Word of Wisdom lesson this week they encouraged us to follow them home because they wanted to surrender all of their tobacco, liquor, tea and coffee and all paraphernalia! It was such a humbling act of faith to watch these two humble people comb their house and handover over three grocery bags of materials. We promised them blessing for their faith and game them a priesthood blessing. They allowed us to come in this week and help them clean up the whole apartment; I felt like I was on the crew of a home make over show! The whole place was night and day different and they were so appreciative.

 

There have been other miracles. Elder Chapman and I are so excited to be working together. We are living, laughing and loving and fulfilling our purpose all the day long. I feel like this whole scenario is a tender mercy straight from the Lord. Elder Chapman and I were in tears last night as we stayed up talking about our commitment to the gospel and our appreciation and love for each other. I don't know why I have been so fortunate to have these blessings but none the less I can testify God lives! I am serving on borrowed time and truly finding that all the experience of the last 23 months and past that is culminating into a special ending here in Youngstown; the field is white! I know that we may be released as full time missionaries at some point but we are never released from being servants of God! I am happy and fortunate! 

Love, Elder Prince

Being Old in Youngstown

  Dearest Family and Friends,

                                           It is with great excitement I write you all this week! This week has been a roller coaster. On Thursday I felt impressed to call our investigator Leisha during lunch so I made the call there at the table. Dan (room-mate) picked up the phone and barley able to make out his words told us that there was an emergency; that the house had caught fire and that everyone was leaving! I told him to stay calm and that we would be there within the hour. Elder Payne was on exchange so I took another Elder from my district to there house as fast as we could put our clothes on and bike over. As I pulled up the house I was overwhelmed with sadness as I saw that black smoke stains had breathed out the upper windows and men were already there boarding them off. I have been at this home almost every day for the last two months; all the people inside have grown to be like family to me. I walked in the back door and there was nothing but darkness and sad faces. The house was uninhabitable and all of our friends had to leave. I just started to ask everyone if they were all right. Dan nearly broke down as I tried to encourage him and give him a hug. After speaking sometime with him outside I walked into the house and Mary just fell into my arms sobbing. The whole scene was awful and amidst it all Dan and Mary decided to part ways and not be married. It felt like our entire vision and goal was being removed faster than we could look. Over the course of the weekend we did all we could to rally the members around them and help get them on their feet while also trying to salvage whatever we could from the ravaged house. Both of these couples who we have been working so diligently with split ways and two moved out of our area. Still I kept my spiritual focus and refused to ask God why, but rather "what now"?

 

                                  I cannot help but bear witness that God has had his hand in this incident. Two days before the fire happened Leisha called us and told us that she had decided she was going to live the law of Chastity and move in with her parents so she could be baptized; this provided her extra incentive to leave and she has still decided to stay true to her decision. The relationship between Dan and Mary came into focus alot for us over this whole ordeal. There was so much going on that we were not aware of and I feel strongly that Mary getting out of that environment with the kids was the best possible thing; and despite her very stressful weekend she still managed to wake up Sunday morning and get all of her kids ready for three hours of church. I am so proud of her. I have truly come to love these two women with all of my heart. They are living the gospel and acting upon what we share with them. All of this has brought us closer together and the church's support has been amazing and endeared Mary and Leisha to their ward family. Things don't always going according to our plans but the Lord has answered our prayers and through a tragedy strengthened our investigators and essentially sifted them from the wheat. Mary and Leisha are working on being baptized in the coming month. Leisha is now living in the Ashtabula ward and will be being taught by two sister missionaries in my district; they will be a perfect fit!

 

                                 Tomorrow is transfers and will conclude my  12 week training of Elder Payne. On Wednesday I had my final infield interview with President Vellinga which was very hard for me. He and I were fighting back tears the whole time. It was hard for me not to be somber the rest of the day; even though the interview was great and full of laughs I still haven't accepted that my mission truly is coming to a close. He asked me if I would like to stay in Warren which I said I would. I told him that I would love to baptize as many people as I can into this ward before I leave after he asked me what my vision was of the next six weeks.  On Saturday morning President Vellinga called and asked if he could speak to me alone (gulp); I always know he has something up his sleeve when this happens. He asked me if I would accept the assignment to be a Zone Leader for my final transfer in the same zone I am currently serving in. Somewhat shocked, I told him I would gladly do that. I was very surprised be assigned to be a district leader this late in the game so to be assigned a zone leader for my last six weeks was unexpected. I am pretty sure he is trying to work me into pulp before I go home ;). So my final transfer I will be serving as a Zone Leader along side on of my favorite missionaries in Ohio; Elder Chapman. In mission terms Elder Chapman is my grandson. My trainee, Elder Crosland trained Elder Chapman. I really love him alot and have always wanted to serve with him. It will be a very happy ending. I will be serving in the city of Youngstown, Ohio for these last 6 weeks and I am excited to leave it all in Ohio. I know that alot of exciting things lay in store for the future but I am here and focused on the people of Ohio until my final minute just like my trainer Elder Martinez set the example for me. I am so excited to do whatever the Lord and my mission President expect of me.  I am going to work my hardest for the next transfer and I can't wait to see what miracles the Lord has in store. It was hard to say goodbye to the people I have come to love so much in the last 3 months. Warren will always have a place in my heart. I am going to miss Elder Payne and I am also excited to announce that in the same phone call President asked Elder Payne if he would train a new missionary! He is worthy and willing and the Lord will qualify him! He and I have been through so much together in these last three months; I love him like a brother and will never forget our time together.

 

                                I can testify that God lives. I know that with an eternal perspective and an understanding of the plan we can endure any trial, rise to any occasion and with the help of God accomplish more than we ever thought possible. Jesus is the Christ and to He and the Father are all the praise! I love you all and appreciate your prayers! Do what is right and let the consequence follow! Love, Elder Prince

Conference Time in Ohio

Dearest Family and Friends,

                                           The sun is out and I feel that we have officially turned our backs on winter here in Ohio! Another great week has passed and I feel so empowered by the inspired messages of General Conference! Elder Payne and I had a great week this week and our investigators are continuing to progress nicely. One of them has quit cigarettes for over three weeks now! We are planning a wedding for Daniel and Mary on the 20th of April and then a baptism the following weekend! Working with Dan, Mary and Leisha has been such a testimony builder for me. I have watched them changed so much in these last few months and they are coming to know who they truly are; loved children of our Father. Please keep these good people in your prayers. They are working so hard and doing so well and these next few weeks will prove to be vital for them.

 

                                            I was so filled by the messages of our leaders this weekend. I enjoyed Elder Packers testimony of the Savior and I felt it was a great tender mercy to hear again from Elder Golden in my final session of conference as a missionary. The constancy of God's love has been so impressed upon me these last few weeks. I am so grateful for this season of the year and the promise that it brings. When autumn sets and ushers in winter the leaves fall from the trees and the green is lost in the landscape but the source of light from which they all grow has not changed; the earth moves it position in such a way that the warmth of the sun is not felt. The sun's temperature never changed, neither the light that it constantly provides for growth. When the earth changes it's position and draws nearer to the sun, the light and warmth draws nearer to it also. Though the seasons change and perhaps circumstances look and feel different in our lives; God's love remains as constant and unchanging as the sun. I hope that we may all position ourselves to feel his love. His love is there regardless of our choices; but our choices in large measure determine how much of His love we feel. I know that our Father in Heaven loves us. I hope that come what may we will always stay close to His light and warmth; it is our choice. I know He lives as does His son. I know that 177 years ago last week that the Savior Jesus Christ appeared in the Kirltand temple; one week after it's dedicatory payer; and many years after hard work and sacrifice. I know also there that Moses, Elijah and Elias restored the keys of God to commence His work for the eventual return of the Christ! May our lamps be trimmed and burning for the return of the Bridegroom!

                                                                                                              Love Always, Elder Prince

Happy Spring!

Dearest Friends and Family!

                                            Great to be able to write you all today! Elder Payne and I had such a fun and productive week and the work here in Warren continues to roll forward. I will say however that my body is just tired. I feel like an old man when I get out of bed every day. Elder Payne and I are biking roughly 15-20 miles a day and running every morning; the point of the fact is that missionary work is a different kind of tiring; it is mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically draining. Elder Payne said that 2 minutes after my prayer was over last night I was deep snoring and I never snore. The good news is that the spirit really does revive you and gets you excited for another day but I will tell you that the first thing I am doing when I get home is taking a nap. Speaking of waking up; this morning our investigators invited us over to their house to try the 2nd hottest chillis' in the world:THE GHOST CHILI. We all ate them at the same time and all I can say is that it dominated all of us; truly baptism by fire. This was about an hour and a half ago and I am still in pain but it was some good clean missionary fun!

 

                                            Dan and Mary are continuing to do well. Mary and Leisha went to the Young Women's broadcast this weekend and they both felt the spirit very strongly. They are growing more and more excited for their baptisms this month! Elder Payne and I also set a goal of finding 4 new investigators this week and we were blessed to find 5! My goal this week has been to be more bold at door steps without being over bearing. It is an interesting thing when you step up your boldness with people because they rejection grows more severe but so does also your success in finding those who are prepared and are touched by the fact that you mean what you are saying. This weekend was great to get out and talk to people about the Risen Lord. I loved talking to people about the promises that his atonement brought mankind; many of which promises they are completely ignorant to. We also had 5 investigators come to church on Sunday which was awesome and all of them had a great experience. All is well, we are working hard, having fun and time is flying.

 

                                            My dear friends, I wish to leave you my testimony today and I would want you all to know of the hope that I have in Christ. I have tried with all sincerity to let the atonement have full sway in my heart; even so much that it was my wish to lose all desire to sin and I can truly say I know that He has changed me. The greatest miracle is a change of heart. I don;t know how he brings about these internal changes but I look back on who I used to be and I do not recognize that person. Every morning I look into framed glass picture of the Savior in my room and as I tie my tie I ask myself if I have received His image in my countenance. I am not all that good looking but I know that even my face reflects what the Lord has done for me. If I ever changed for the good in my life is was because with His stripes I was healed, by His word I was comforted and by His power I moved forward. I want you all to know that He is the reason for anything that is good in me. I pray that we may "always remember Him, that we may always have his spirit to be with us". He lives still today and I pray that we may prepare for when He returns (Alma 34:32-35). I love you all and leave you these words in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

 

                                                                                                             Love, Elder Prince

Happy Spring!

Dearest Friends and Family!

                                          Another fast week has passed here in the Ohio and I am still full of the wonder of what the days may bring. I wish I could adequately explain how I am feeling about the work right now; the main questions that repeat in my head are: How does Father do it? Why does He do it? I cannot say how impressed I have been with a feeling of love from Him these last two weeks especially. I feel no closer to Him than to see the people I am teaching progressing. I want to tell you all about Mary. She is the girlfriend of one of our less-active members and has been meeting with us for the last 6 weeks. Mary  has had a hard upbringing and she has raised three children from the time she was 18 with no real help from their fathers. She has such a humble spirit and such a love for her children. Over the time that we have been teaching her we have seen so much change in her; especially in her desire to do what is right. Though she struggles to read she always keeps her commitments to read the scriptures even if it means she has to re-read the chapter over and over. Despite being a 20 cigarette a day smoker she has dwindled down to only 3 yesterday! And she has been sharing the gospel with  her roommate and acting as her guide an mentor. She has banned anyone from smoking in the house anymore and has really cleaned the place up; it has done a 180 from the first time that we taught their. She and Dan are planning on getting married on April 12th and then the week following will be her baptism! It has built my faith just watching this family! When humble hearts come to know God, miracles happen! We took their family on a tour of Kirltand last weekend and had a wonderful experience. We were all joined in fasting and the Spirit was ever present.  The spirit was pured out upon us all as we offered Dan and Mary a blessing in the School of the Prophets where the Word of Wisdom was revealed. That day has been a major turning point and since they have not stopped progressing. Keep this good family in your prayers! They are going to make it!

 

                                        I am so happy to be at this place; meaning Warren, Ohio and also so happy to be at this place spiritually. Though their are yet 'mountains to climb' I know with the help of the Savior that the way is sure. Elder Payne and I have gotten along better than perhaps any companion I've had in the past. The ward's trust and love for us and the work also seems to be continuing to improve and yesterday I had the privilege of speaking in sacrament meeting. I was asked to speak on 'Unity' and was blessed throughout the week to be able receive many impressions from the spirit as to what I should say. I felt very good about the talk when it concluded and had several members comment on how the spirit was manifest to them. I love speaking in public on my mission because if you are willing to put your agenda on hold and let the spirit guide you can literally be a mouthpiece; it is hard to explain, but it is so edifying. The best part of the experience was the 70 year old lady that walked up to the stand when the meeting was over and said "Elder Prince, you have an old soul don't you?", I had to laugh at that!

 

                                       Well, I best be going! I love you all! I love the Ohio! and I love the Lord! May we all come together in unity of the faith is my inner most desire.

                                                                                                        Happy Spring! Love, Elder Prince

Another Transfer Slips Away

Dearest Family and Friends,

                                             I can't express enough how good it is to write you today. I am full of gratitude and amazement at the goodness of God! I want to first and foremost say congratulations to my brother Elder Doutre. This is yet another evidence that with a will there is a way and that God has not ceased to be a God of Miracles. Faith will always prevail; God is always faithful. I am so proud of you my brother. I know that the coming years of your life will be some of the very most meaningful. Thank you for your example. Who would've know us to little punk 7th graders from Albion Middle School would be one day builders of the Kingdom of God on Earth! I'll miss you my friend; but what is 4 years between brothers?

 

                                             Another great week has passed here in Warren! On Sunday I had the privilege of baptizing my good friend Donte Fellows! He is the son of a recent convert in our ward and we have been teaching him faithfully since I first arrived. I am so proud of this young man and all of the faith he put forth to prepare for his baptism! He felt the spirit so strong at his baptismal service and the look on his mother face was better than a thousand perfect mornings! I know this young man will be a missionary and make his mother proud. I have served 6 months in the Youngstown Ohio Stake and every soul I have had the honor of baptizing in this stake has been under the age of 20. I have served in 3 other stakes in Ohio and in all others our converts have been over the age of 20. This stake needs future leaders baldy and I have been so impressed with how the Lord is preparing for future generations to be blessed and for Kirtland to be built up again!

 

                                             We are still working with Mary, Daniel, Leesha and Adam (all roommates). We took our Bishop teaching with us this week and Dan and Mary expressed that they wished to be married! So needless to say we are going to be planning a marriage here in the next few weeks. Little do these people in Ohio know that when I am a missionary by day and a wedding singer by night! I am going to blow their minds! This group of friends has been so exciting to teach as they are all keeping their commitments and getting excited about learning. They have expressed several times how they are beginning to see the changes happening in their life! It is so exciting!

 

                                              Elder Payne and I are doing well. It is crazy how fast time is going. We are already on our 5th week of training! He is growing so much and I love to watch him get it more and more. He is catching the vision of missionary work and the magnitude of his calling is beginning to really rest upon his mind. I've also got him knocking off pant sizes between running in the morning and biking all around town all day! Things couldn't be better! I am excited to keep the pace and finish strong in these last two transfers!

 

                                               My friends I can't say enough about how grateful I am today! May we always keep the love of God in our hearts. We we stay focused on the atonement. I know that my Redeemer lives! I hope you all have a great week! Back to war in Warren!            

                                                                                                       Love, Elder Prince

6 Weeks in Warren

Dearest Family and Friends,

                                           So much to say in so little time. The highlight of my week was the confirmation of our good friend Donte. Elder Payne was voice and he did a terrific job. I am so grateful that he is having these experiences so early on in his mission and beginning already to taste the fruits of his labor! We have still been biking all over this town. It is a lot of fun to have everybody honk at you because of how much the enjoy your haircut; but the odd thing is that I am always wearing a helmet so I don't  know what all the fuss is about! ;). I was sick with a flu/cold all of Friday which was pretty interesting. I cleared out a whole case of airborne, two gallons of water, stayed knocked out in my bed with Ny-Quil and got a priesthood blessing at the end of the day and rose the next morning like nothing happened! Pretty much everybody that we teach and their dogs are sick so I figured it was only a matter of time before I got something and sure enough I did; and it only took a complete 24 hour shut down to get back to normal! So, aside from getting sick this week was great. We have been focusing on finding through our less-active members and we have had a lot of great experiences in doing this. We had two trips to Kirtland set up with investigators this week which both fell through freeing up a whole half a day of back up plans and it was amazing how many times we found ourselves in the right places at the right times. The sun is starting to come out a little and we saw the first flowers of the year peek out of the ground so I am glad to know that we are going to have some warmer weather to work with!  Dan and Mary are continuing to do well. We are trying to get their wedding plans underway, which should be very exciting. They also committed to live the Word of Wisdom this week and this Saturday we are planning on taking them to the School of the Prophets in Kirtland to give them a blessing where the revelation on the Word of Wisdom was revealed! It is such a blessing to have Kirtland here in the mission; our investigator get to experience the Restoration their; it is a place of conversion. Also, President called this week and asked if I would accept the assignment to be a district leader of the Ashtabula District. I was pretty shocked by the call to be honest as I thought my days in leadership were over but I told him that I would love to accept his assignment. I am excited to work with the Elders and Sisters in my district and I am especially grateful because now I have the right to go on an exchange to Ashtabula and return their for the first time in a year and a half. Ashtbaula is still my most favorite area and I thought I would have to wait to my release to return there and be with some of the converts! So I am looking forward to that and am hoping to travel up north pretty soon. By the way, transfers were on Thursday and this transfer saw the arrival of 29 missionaries and only 6 went home. The mission added 12 new areas! Pretty exciting times and all of this is in consequence of President Monson's announcement on the change of missionary age. I am so privileged to be able to serve in this capacity at this time! I am right where I want to be at this stage of my mission. Thank you all for your letters, your e-mails and especially for your prayers. Please keep praying that we can be lead to more people to teach and that our investigators will continue to progress! The Savior is at the helm of this work and I know that the direction we are headed has many blessing in store. I know this Church is true. Let us all be doers of the word!

                                                                                                                            Love, Elder Prince

Another Transfer Slips Away

Dearest Family and Friends,

                                             I can't express enough how good it is to write you today. I am full of gratitude and amazement at the goodness of God! I want to first and foremost say congratulations to my brother Elder Doutre. This is yet another evidence that with a will there is a way and that God has not ceased to be a God of Miracles. Faith will always prevail; God is always faithful. I am so proud of you my brother. I know that the coming years of your life will be some of the very most meaningful. Thank you for your example. Who would've know us to little punk 7th graders from Albion Middle School would be one day builders of the Kingdom of God on Earth! I'll miss you my friend; but what is 4 years between brothers?

 

                                             Another great week has passed here in Warren! On Sunday I had the privilege of baptizing my good friend Donte Fellows! He is the son of a recent convert in our ward and we have been teaching him faithfully since I first arrived. I am so proud of this young man and all of the faith he put forth to prepare for his baptism! He felt the spirit so strong at his baptismal service and the look on his mother face was better than a thousand perfect mornings! I know this young man will be a missionary and make his mother proud. I have served 6 months in the Youngstown Ohio Stake and every soul I have had the honor of baptizing in this stake has been under the age of 20. I have served in 3 other stakes in Ohio and in all others our converts have been over the age of 20. This stake needs future leaders baldy and I have been so impressed with how the Lord is preparing for future generations to be blessed and for Kirtland to be built up again!

 

                                             We are still working with Mary, Daniel, Leesha and Adam (all roommates). We took our Bishop teaching with us this week and Dan and Mary expressed that they wished to be married! So needless to say we are going to be planning a marriage here in the next few weeks. Little do these people in Ohio know that when I am a missionary by day and a wedding singer by night! I am going to blow their minds! This group of friends has been so exciting to teach as they are all keeping their commitments and getting excited about learning. They have expressed several times how they are beginning to see the changes happening in their life! It is so exciting!

 

                                              Elder Payne and I are doing well. It is crazy how fast time is going. We are already on our 5th week of training! He is growing so much and I love to watch him get it more and more. He is catching the vision of missionary work and the magnitude of his calling is beginning to really rest upon his mind. I've also got him knocking off pant sizes between running in the morning and biking all around town all day! Things couldn't be better! I am excited to keep the pace and finish strong in these last two transfers!

 

                                               My friends I can't say enough about how grateful I am today! May we always keep the love of God in our hearts. We we stay focused on the atonement. I know that my Redeemer lives! I hope you all have a great week! Back to war in Warren!            

                                                                                                       Love, Elder Prince

Youngstown Zone Conference

At War in Warren

Dearest Family and Friends,

                                                   It is always a good week when Sunday night rolls in and all you want to do after planning is lay on the living room floor and stair at the ceiling! I love it! It is quite a scene to see Elder Payne and I flying down the streets of Warren looking for our next investigator. We are bundled from head to toe and sweating by the time we finally stop for appointments. If I get cold I just pick up the pace on the bike a bit; Henry Ford said 'he who cuts his own wood, warms himself twice'; I can relate because we staying plenty warm! Elder Payne is coming along so well. Training a second time around is such a different experience; I feel that I am a lot less worried about things. Elder Payne and I opening a new area I think was very beneficial for both of us; he learned how to build from the ground up and how to build rapport with the members. The first few weeks we were knocking doors by day and doing our best to be teaching in the night and it has worked out pretty well as the Lord has given us some great people to teach! We are working closely with a group of friends that all live in one house. We have three investigators (Mary, Leesha and Adam), and one less-active member named Daniel. All of them have little gospel background so we are starting from scratch; almost primary school style! Mary and Leesha in particular are coming along so well. We were so happy to see that they have been keeping their commitments to read and pray daily. In teaching investigators you have to move at a pace that allows for them learn the lessons but also to become spiritually self-reliant by reading the Book of Mormon on their own and praying daily. I hardly like to move on to other lessons until this is being accomplished. The foundation of seeking revelation through reading, praying and coming to church has to be laid before the gospel will become personal to anyone and conversion may take place; isn't it funny that those simple principles are taught in primary? The childlike faith of our investigators keep a smile on me from ear to ear. I love watching the spirit work upon them as we read together! We also have been working closely with a recent convert and her son Donte. This kid is amazing! We have seen an emergence in him as in the beginning he was quite distracted and indifferent in our lessons and now he has been reading and praying daily and actually anticipating our visits. There are few things better than watching a 12 year old give insight to a question or a reading that you know came straight from Heaven and out of his mouth! It has been special to teach him this last month and his baptism will be held this Sunday!

 

We have also met some great people through our tracting efforts who are progressing along! I think Elder Payne did some of his very best teaching this week. I am so proud of him as he and I have been practicing every day together and taking our studies seriously. The Lord is such a joy to work for! His paychecks are always on time and His benefits are eternal; He is good for EVERY ONE of His promises!

 

Yesterday, Elder Payne and I impromptu taught Gospel Principles and the subject was Faith in Jesus Christ; the very first principle of the gospel. In teaching the lesson it struck me how much the Lord really has done for me in my life; especially in the years that I really have had faith in Him. Wednesday will be my 4 year sobriety mark; I could've never dreamed this is what the Lord had planned for me some four years ago. Though I have grown well accustomed to missionary life over these last 21 months, I still feel like I am dreaming at times when I see what the Lord has done for me and how far we've come. I want to testify to you the same thing I did yesterday in my class. I know that He is real. I know He lives and I only know because of the simple things He asks of us if we want to come to know him. Pray, study, serve others, and go to church; I know anyone who will feel after Him will find Him and be healed! I love going to war in Warren with Him everyday!

                                                                                       Love, Elder Prince

Happy Day is Warren

Dearest Friends and Family,

                                          I wish to say to you all this week how grateful I am to you all for your continued love, support and prayers in my behalf as I have labored here in the Ohio. Everyday I feel the strength that comes from your love and I want you all to know that there is nothing greater than serving our God. The people of Warren are shaping me as I feel that I am growing along side with them. I am finding that the Saviors promise that if we lose ourselves for others, we ultimately find ourselves is true. We are working daily with people who are for the first time learning truly what it means that God lives. One of the greatest thrills of being a missionary is what I call "spiritual deja'vu"; when someone you are teaching understands the gospel in such a way that it sound familiar too them and then the light comes on in their eyes. The enabling power of the Atonement reaches them as they simply remember that they chose the Savior before this life and now they are re-learning to follow him again. The thought came to me this week that any living soul who can come and shake my hand at one time in their existence believed in Christ. I am finding the greatest satisfaction I9 have ever known by reminding people of what they already know in their hearts. We have been working very closely with the Adam's family which consist of a less active member named Daniel and his non-member girlfriend Mary. They  have three children and all of the family is striving to learn and they have come to church 3 weeks in a row. Dan and Marry are looking to be married in the coming weeks and both are set to be baptized. Every time we go to visit them I see them slowly changing. They have the light of Christ growing. They speak more like Him. They Look more like Him. They are becoming more like him!

 

                                          Elder Payne and I are having a great time every day. We are praying to find the very elect of God that will not harden their hearts and it has been a miracle to see the response. We have continued to get into doors and we are doing all we can to see others as they truly are. It works! Today is a rainy, cold day in Warren and I can't wait to go out and work! I can truly say that the Lord has brought me so far in my desire to share the gospel. I thought I had it before my mission but there is no comparison to how it has grown in me to the current day. Again, I thank you all for your prayers because they are felt and they keep me going.

 

                                          I have been touched by many of your e-mails this week. Thank you all for being good people. Good parents, good brothers and sisters. Good friends. I thank the Lord for placing each one of you in my path. I feel so rich because of you all. I pray that we may all continue to love the Lord. I hope that we might find greater joy in His purpose. May we rely upon Him daily and always remember His atonement. I love you all and hope that you have a great week!

 

                                                                                           Love, Elder Prince

                      P.S. Congrats to Samye (formerly known as Hermana Jensen;)) for all of her service in the Oakland/San Fran Mission. You have worked so hard and the people will be forever blessed for your love and sacrifice. These are time never to be forgotten! Good Job!!!!!! :)   

With Love from Warren

Dear Family and Friends!

                                     

 Well Hello! What a crazy couple of weeks it has been and at last I can write to you with out the daunting task of escaping enraged librarians! Things have been well since I wrote last. Elder Payne and I are running full length write now and having a great time. A little bit about my companion: Elder Payne is becoming a very good friend. He is very humble and willing missionary. His first night in the field we were biking through a blizzard and the kid had smile from ear to ear! He is the only child in his family and help-ed his Dad come out of inactivity by preparing to serve a mission. He has a great testimony and is very easy going and easy to like. Now, a little about the area: Warren is a very interesting place. It has really lost alot of its population in the last 50 years and used to be a booming factory city, nowadays it is rather run down but it has alot more middle class than East Cleveland. The people are great. I have had more fun in the last two weeks that I have in quite some time. We have been let it door after door and been able to have many good finding opportunities. We have been let in more doors in the last 10 days than I think I have been let in in about 4 1/2 months! We are teaching a part-member family right now where the wife is trying to quit smoking and get baptized so she and her family can eventually make it to the temple. Her name is Mary and she is a very good  humble woman. We are also teaching the 12 year old son of one of the ward's recent converts named Donte; the kid is very excited and fitting into his deacons quorum very well. We taught the deacons Sunday school lesson this week and bribed them all with candy bars; needless to say it worked perfect and the kids were all very reverent. Elder Payne and I are essentially starting from scratch in the area and much of our night time has been spent traveling around getting to know the members and sharing spirituals thoughts with them. The bikes have been fun despite having to call it quits and start walking during a few snow storms. All is well right now as we are both learning so much. I am right where I want to be with my mission right now. Being able to train this good Elder is such a privilege. I know that he is going to do many great things here in the field. I am still amazed with how fast the days go; it passes away like a dream. The Lord and His goodness have impressed me more than anything else this week. He has provided for us and proved faithful at every turn. I am learning to do as Paul directs in Philippians 4 and not worry unduly about any particular thing but rather to live with thanksgiving daily. I know that the Lord will greatly bless the grateful and the obedient and my companion and I are seeing His blessings every day. Thank you all for your prayers! They work! Please pray that we may be able to find those whom the Lord has prepared! (D&C 29: 6-7). I hope that you all have a great week! 

Love Always, Elder Prince

What up from Warren?!

Dear Family and Friends,

                                     Well... I am in a pickle. I lost my Drivers license (nice) and the library here in Warren will not let me use their computers so it may be a couple of weeks until I can write but I will have you know that I am so happy to tell you all I have been transferred to Warren, OH and my new missionaries name is Elder Payne from Bountiful, UT. He is awesome and is soaking everything up like a sponge. We are biking elders and it has been snowing all week, it has been pretty interesting. There are miracles happening that I hope to give in more full detail later. Again I apologize but I am already sneaking behind enemy lines to write this e-mail. One of the Elders I am living with is letting me use his account hurdling over the top of we so I wont get caught by the librarians! I am having a blast right now and so blessed to have this opportunity to serve the Warren ward. The first week was amazing. Keep me in your prayers that I wont fall onto the icy sidewalk another time from my bike! Love you all! 

Love, Elder Prince

Onto the next chapter

earest Friends and Family,

                                              I apologize that it has been two weeks since I have written. Much has happened to be grateful for. The work here in East Cleveland has been in bloom which has brought me a great deal of satisfaction. On the 19th we were able to baptize our good friend Walniesha Collins! and on the 20th I was able to confirm her a member of the Church and confer the Gift of the Holy Ghost upon her by the laying on of hands. This young woman is quite amazing. She is from the inner city and is very independent. She has her own job, car and apartment and she is only 20 years old. She has come such a long ways since she first starting investigating; including being able to give up smoking and in the process having to give up some friends. She has been a great example to all of us here at the Cleveland University Branch and I felt it a great honor she asked to confirm her a member of the church. I love the spirit that is always manifest in that ordinance. We have also had success in finding new people to teach and we had three new investigators come to church this Sunday! All of this is exciting to me because it has been a while since the work has truly picked up in this area. Early this week President called me and asked me if I would accept the assignment to train a new missionary. I was so thrilled and accepted with "giddy" as I told him. All week I have been thinking about this new missionary and I have been growing more and more excited. I have been praying for him all week that he will be ready to hit the ground running and have the time of his life. I also got to thinking that this assignment would also mean 3 more months in East Cleveland; a total of one year in this area. I was really excited for that and thought that this would be the case until last night President called and released me as a district leader and thanked me for my service in that assignment. He also told me to pack my things because I was to be headed to transfer meeting on Wednesday. This means I will be training a brand new missionary in a brand new area that he and I have never been before. I am so excited! This happened to me last year when I trained Elder Crosland in Ashtabula. I love the idea of getting a fresh start somewhere and starting from scratch. It will be a great training opportunity considering he and I will be learning the ropes together. So, If you would please pray for this young Elder and I; that we may have success and that we may forge a friendship for the eternities!

 

This experience is rather bittersweet for me because I know wherever the spirit of the Lord calls me will be my final area. It is also hard to leave East Cleveland. I love everything about this area; it is the "home" of my mission. I love the inner city.To me, something so depressed never looked so beautiful. I love the red bricks and concrete. I love the graffiti and the worn down houses. I love the tastes, the smells and the sounds. Above all, I love the people. I had several meaningful conversations with many of them last night and this morning that have left me with a warm feeling in my heart and a confidence that success is to be had anywhere the future takes me. It has been 9 months altogether and I can say that I have put more heart and soul into this area than any other. I felt such a surge of charity for everyone this week. I was hugging them all and telling them I loved them long before I had a clue I was leaving. I feel that the Lord has helped me learn what I needed here. I believe the two greatest lessons learned here were to first; see people for the children of God that they really are. And Second; happiness is not in circumstance, it is in decision. I pray for this area. I hope that many miracles are to come in the future and I hope that I have helped this place in some small way to be better.

 

Now it is on to the next one!

 

This is the only true and living church on the earth. True because it is established by God and the principles spoken within are eternal. Living because there are many on both sides of the veil who are anxiously engaged in living these principles. I pray that my faith will never fail and that I may be a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ all of my days! I know he is True and Living! In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

 

Love Always, Elder Prince

Fire and Rescue

Dearest Family and Friends,

                                                I thought by titling my e-mail as 'Fire and Rescue' this week more of you may be interested in reading my 400th e-mail ;). This week has been one of the best weeks of my entire mission and in many unexpected ways. On Tuesday we had our Ward Mission Leader (Bro. Huxel) out with us on a split for the entire day. During the morning we taught a few lessons together and then decided to get a bite to eat around noon. After a while we all decided we would make an impromptu visit to an older man in our ward who despite coming every week faithfully was not seen the previous Sunday. This lead us to drive to his trailer park a few minutes away in route we passed right by the trailer of a less active woman in our ward. As we passed by her house Elder Colf looked out the window and said "Why is Sis. Allred's house destroyed?". We then all looked and paused only to see that black smoke stains covered every window trimming and all of the glass had been shattered out. In the same instant that we looked upon this burnt trailer the Sr. Couple in our ward, the Palmers, came walking out with black hands stained in ash. Then out came Sister Allred with tears streaming down her shocked face. Her electrical company had turned on the power for the first time in months and appliances that were previously left on had caused the entire trailer to go up in flames. The entire inside was covered in a black smoke residue. Both the Sr.Couple and ourselves had shown up within half an hour. Both of us felt impressed to be on that street at that time. If you could see the enormity of the area I cover you would understand that this would be the equivalent of showing up to visit a member of your ward on one street in a ward boundary the size of all of Sandy Utah without any communication other than whisperings of the Holy Ghost. Elder Colf and I cancelled all appointment that day and spent the rest of the night helping this woman salvage anything she could from what remained of her destroyed dwelling. I couldn't help think of the words of the song, "Let the Holy Spirit guide, let it's whispers govern choice". Needless to say this good women knew this was a wake up call and she knew that we were all sent to her for a reason.

                     

                                                The next day I was honored to attend the funeral of one of my best friends here in Cleveland; brother Bill Colbourne. Just last week I had found out of his passing and was utterly shocked, he was only 44 years old. Bill was one of the most faithful latter-day saints I have ever known. He had a crippling case of cerebral palsy and despite walking and talking with extreme difficulty he faithfully attended church and passed the sacrament every week. He was one of my first member friends here in Cleveland and would always talk to me every time we saw each other. Bill is the only person that could make me lose my focus and talk about the Celtics for entire priesthood meeting. I will miss him alot but I truly enjoyed his  funeral service which was a combination of heartfelt testimony and belly aching laughter. I look forward to the day I get to play basketball with him in the Celestial Kingdom.

 

                                               This week we also had our quarterly interview with President. From a few challenging weeks leading up to the interview my mood was moral was a bit low and seemed to carry over into our meeting. I told him that I had been trying my hardest here in the city and despite my efforts I was feeling disappointed regularly. One of President Vellinga's greatest gifts is the gift of listening. He listens very intently  and is always full of Christlike perspective. He helped remind me of a few things that helped me realize no matter what the fruits of your labors may be it is often going unnoticed and unsaid what great things are happening within the heart of a missionary as he passes through adversity. President Vellinga asked me if I would preach the gospel even if the Lord told me not a soul would listen. I told him I would. He then went on to say that was ultimately my duty. That is not to say neither of us believe others will listen in East Cleveland but  it is said more so to allude to the fact that a major part of our commission is to plant seeds of testimony, show forth Christlike examples, correct  false doctrines and warn this generation of the consequences of sin. It would be honest in telling you all that I have not had a harder 4 1/2 months of my mission as there has been these last  three transfers. In all, I have served nearly 9 months in the inner city of the East side of Cleveland and at times I feel the greatest convert from these efforts has been myself. The lessons I have learned had refined my soul and magnified my capacities especially in tolerance, patience and love. I am so grateful for my labors here. They have caused my to stop looking for happiness in circumstance. I have been blessed by the Lord to recognize the small blessings and miracles everyday. My eyes see the hurt of a lost people every day and yet I see the divine children of God in all of them. As the scriptures say I feel 'encompassed about' with the blood and sins of this generation yet the Lord has helped remain hopeful. As of late so many things have reminded me of the truth that the Saviors love is felt in humility. It is felt in hope. I am so grateful that I am have been called to labor so long in this place and have been counted worthy to suffer what little things I have for the Lord. In the backdrop of saints of old I feel adversity that the adversity of my life to have been such a small thing; yet I feel akin to them and that we are linked together in our love for the Lord. I want to thank you all for your mindful and heartfelt prayers. I am also grateful for my great priesthood leaders who have helped me see the good in so many challenges and especially President Vellinga at this time. I walked out of our interview more sure I was ready to face my circumstances.

 

                                           Only a few days later President Vellinga called in all of the former assistants in the mission (Elder Metcalf, Elder Parkinson and myself) to have a special meeting regarding the growth of the mission in the coming months as he need our help and experience in planning for over 30 new areas! Together we helped him plan for over 4 hours working the logistics of cars, meeting houses, apartments, etc. There are currently 62 companionship's in the mission  and by the time of transfer meeting I leave from there will be roughly 95 companionship's! It was thrilling to be able to help him plan for the promised prospect of such great growth. I also felt in an honor to be able to render my opinion with such fine Elders. By the time we all finished counseling together we had come up with a plan that seemed perfect to us all; it was a very edifying experience. As we prayed to end our meeting President stopped us before we stood up and said "Elders, I want to thank you for your help. This is exactly what I hoped would happen. This was one of the most important meetings this mission has ever had". I was grateful and excited to have been there.

 

                                         Ok, Ok, I know this is a biography but I have to finish by sharing with you all the experience I had in Kirltand on Sunday. The singles branch that we cover took us with them to have a special sacrament and testimony meeting in the Kirltand temple Sunday morning. It was such a special meeting and privilege. I felt like one of the early saints as we all gathered to worship and partake in ordinance in the lower assembly of the temple. Following the meeting we took our investigator Walneisha on a tour of the  historic sites; it was a great time. Walniesha is also going to be getting baptized this Saturday so we are very excited for her. All in all there is so much to be grateful for. This week has been a blessing and I can't wait to see where the Lord will lead my feet looking ahead! Lead kindly light!                                                                                           Love Always, Elder Prince

 

P.S. Sorry if there is a slew of grammatical errors in this letter. I am tired from restlessness in bed last night :0