Zone Conferences + Surprise visit #82

Hey Family!! How are y'all doing? What's new and beautiful in your life?! I want to hear it all!! Last week we had Zone conferences, Stake conference, and a surprise visit from my trainer (Schefer)!! Not gonna lie sitting in 20 hours of Zone Conference is rough but it's so fun to learn, laugh, and feel the spirit with fellow missionaries. This being the last set of Zone conferences meant President Namgur's words had me urgently listening. The more I hear from the words of and observe President Namgur's kindness, humility, and love the more I'm inspired to follow Christ. We of course can read about Christ... but for me observing a living example of people who emulate Christ is especially inspiring and powerful. Like my Father, Uncles, and Brother... President Namgur has become one of these giants in my life. “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” John Quincy Adams This is why Christ is the best leader. Through the ages his actions and teachings have inspired countless individuals to learn of heaven, love like he loves, and become pure like he is pure. Spiritual thought - Amazing Grace On the way back from the last Zone conference we had a 5 hour drive :) While in the car we listened to the song "Amazing Grace" performed by Andrea Bocelli. The mission secretary, Bishop Jiguur explained this about the song's author John Newton... "I thought … there never was, nor could be, such a sinner as myself.” Newton had lived (been a) sailor and he was involved in the African slave trade. After a near death experience on the sea, Newton began reading the Bible and had a spiritual conversion. In 1764 he became an Anglican minister, devoting himself to serving the people in his congregation and becoming well known for his heartfelt preaching. Later in life, he fought against the slave trade and lived to see it abolished in the British Empire in 1807. As we heard Biship Jiguur explain this story and the song play simultaneously. The beauty of John Newton's story in repentance and conversion reminded me of Christ's power to help us change. Tears covered my face as I felt God's grace showering over me. Amazing grace—how sweet the sound— That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see. Because of Jesus Christ's atonement anyone can change. I can change, you can change, and everyone else can too. My testimony is this... Jesus Christ is our savior, and through him anyone can change and be born again. Love, Elder Bateman