Week 74

Hello Friends and Family!

I am so grateful for this opportunity we have had to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. I know that He lives! So many things have happened over the past week. 

On Saturday we woke up bright and early and traveled just over 3 hours with our Ward Mission Leader to hear Elder Quinton L. Cook speak to our mission in Virginia Beach. That was such an incredible experience! I am so grateful for the opportunity that I had to hear and meet an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. You could feel the spirit fill the room as he entered. I had no doubt that he truly had the companionship of the Holy Ghost. Even though my conversation with him lasted not more than a greeting and a smile, I could feel the spirit witness to me that he was one of the Lord's anointed. During his talk he taught us about the beautiful relationship between Christ's resurrection and missionary work. He showed us how the Lord's final command was to preach the gospel to all the world. I have often wondered what it would be like to have been one of his original disciples and to see Christ ascend into heaven. It would have been such a beautiful moment to see, in essence, the complete Plan of Salvation. That moment where religion became reality must have had a profound effect on the young Apostles. I am so reassured that there have been men and women in this day and age, starting with Joseph Smith in 1820, who have seen Christ and witness of his divinity and of the reality of the Plan of Salvation. I am grateful for the opportunity I have to stand as a witness of Him as a "lower case apostle." My favorite part of this meeting was his testimony of the Savior. It was powerful.

The next day we had Stake Conference and had the opportunity to hear for Elder Keetch. The talks were fantastic, especially since they were all centered on Easter. We also had an investigator come to church which was such a tender mercy! We haven't been able to have someone come to church in a couple months so we were glad to see someone actually come. Understandably she was a little overwhelmed by the number of people and how nice everyone was, but she enjoyed it. 

I love y'all!

-Elder Shill