Count Your Many Blessings, Name them one by one....

Hello All!

Greetings from the blessed land of Woodstock.  I have some tremendous News - Tamara is Getting Baptized!  (I know - some of you - possibly all - might be thinking "Who the heck is Tamara?"  Well, let me tell you)  Tamara is the Girlfriend of Mark Dustow, one of the members in the branch.  he talked to her about marriage and he told her that if he was going to get married, he wanted to do it right and be sealed in the temple.  He told her about the church and we met with her last Friday and she accepted the invitation to be baptized!  The baptism won't be for a few weeks, but I was so excited, I couldn't wait that long to tell you (not like I would wait that long anyway....).  We are meeting with her again this evening.

L.J., our 9-year old genius of an investigator, also wants to be baptized. He is aiming for 11 July.  We are trying to teach his family as well, but they are always running around like chickens without heads when we come by. We did have a good visit with Victoria, the mother, and we shared some scriptures with her that show how Christ loves us and wants us to be happy, and how that by turning to Him, He can lift burdens off our shoulders and give us the strength to carry on.  L.J. usually has the time to meet with us (after all, he is only 9) and he wants to be baptized.  He and his 16-year old brother Jermaine came to church on Sunday and I think they enjoyed it.

They are also going through a rough time financially, with both parents looking for work.  We are trying to help, but we can only do as much as they will let us (Which, as of yet, isn't much).  But keep them in your prayers and miracles will happen.

Great Things are happening in Woodstock.  I am excited to be here.  Little side note: transfers are today and Elder Call and I are both staying in Woodstock for another 6 weeks.  The Lord has blessed us so much as we have diligently worked in this area.  Just last night, we had a dinner appointment with the Mitchell's and afterwards, we were walking down the street to the car and we decided to cross the street and talk to an older couple who was just getting home.  We did, They invited us in and we were able to share the Restored Gospel with them.  It is so amazing how the Lord Works.  I am so grateful to be a part of this great work.  It is something that blesses the lives of all who participate in it in any way.  I love this work.  I love the Gospel.  And I love the Lord - In Him my soul delights.

Have a Great Week!

Your Obedient Servant,
Elder Austin James Ashcraft