Enabling Power of the Atonement

There is no way we could do what we are doing without the enabling power of the atonement. We encounter so many situations we have zero experience and little capacity to deal with. But, in a very miraculous way, things work out.

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that all things "which pertain to our religion are only appendages" to the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We are having many opportunities to focus on the centrality of His glorious intervention on our behalf. Our basic message flows from our knowledge that He alone redeems us from sin and death, advocating mercy for each of us in our weaknesses and at the judgment bar of God. Our part of the covenant is to exercise faith in Him, to exercise exact obedience to His commandments, and to repent quickly when we stumble.

The fruit of our more exquisite understanding of His great power in our lives as missionaries is a little more patience, kindness, meekness, long-suffering, empathy, and charity. We continue to be the great beneficiaries of our service here. We are grateful for all that is good in our lives. And the good things are getting better!

We are teaching several families and have two baptismal dates within the next three weeks. Erick Alvarado, age 20, will be baptized Saturday,March 29 and Elba Parades, age 19, mother of four-year-old Betsy and two-year-old Jason, will be baptized April 12. Both are heroes to us, having already endured more than most people endure in a life time. Pray for them. They still have many mountains to climb. The immigration issues takes on an entirely different meaning when you see the challenges and heartaches up close and personal.

The Jacksons are a great African-American couple who have great testimonies of the Savior. She has a fantastic voice, and she and I enjoy singing together. She has quite a set of pipes! Gladys Knight, who is a member of the church, is her idol. We are hoping Sister Knight's testimony will be a positive influence.

Angela and Bruce Rowan are progressing well in the gospel, attending all of their meetings and keeping their commitments. We continue to have very spiritual experiences teaching them with President and Sister Summerhays each Monday night.

We are also making progress repairing Virgil and Willie Mae's mobile home: the plumbing is working again, floors are replaced in three parts of the home, the little girl's room is cleaned and primed for painting, the dryer is vented, and a new back door installed. I have a priceless memory etched in my brain of Elder Z spending an entire day underneath the trailer with Virgil fixing the plumbing. The repairs didn't hold requiring several more do-overs, one of which was in a torrential rainstorm. There stood Virgil, umbrella in hand, though not completely covering Bill, watching and helping the best he could. Cold, muddy, and patient, Elder Z hung in there when most people would have just gone home. What a guy! I am so blessed.

It is heartwarming to see the growth in this little family. Willie Mae would say very little in the beginning; now we carry on quite interesting conversations. I learned recently that she ran track in high school and also once lifted weights. She hates to try new things, but with a little coaching she comes along. She will NOT let me out-do her at something. Their toilet needed a miracle scrubbing, and we hauled it outside when we put the new floor in the bathroom. The cleaning job quickly was delegated to Virgil. Shaking her head emphatically, she refused to help Virgil despite my encouragement and promises that helping each other creates more happiness in her family. Only after I started helping Virgil did she come over and pitch in. I love that woman! Belinda, age 7, and Catherine, age 11, get a big kick out of calling us Grandma and Grandpa. They are so adorable.

The weather is perfect here right now. Still many allergies and a few other health challenges. But, overall, everything is working out the way the Lord wants it to.

Know always how much we love you all, our dear family and friends. Thank you for your continued prayers and support.

Love,

Elder and Sister Z