White Christmas

This week was so much fun! I loved talking with family and more than anything just seeing them.  It's amazing how much changes in such a short time.  The highlight of the whole skype phone call was when Milo got on to say hi and said "HI Daddy!" Good to know that we are twins with our devilish good looks! Just you wait Milo, we are gonna play so much when I get home that you might even be able to tell the difference between Uncle Cody and Daddy Tanner! haha

 

S** B** was baptized!  The focus in the mission this month has been to give a gift to the Savior by helping someone to the waters of baptism.  S** is so cool and just feels like family.  It was quite obvious that she felt the spirit and that she could recognize her Savior's love for her. I can only imagine how proud Heavenly Father is of us when we take one step closer to him by following the Gospel.  Our Gospel principles class today was on Exaltation so it was a perfect lesson that outlined what comes after baptism.  Thankfully we know that baptism is the gate to begin on the path back to God... he would never leave us or expect us to be perfect from there on out.  There are many tools to be used and spiritual experiences to be had as we strive each day to be more like our Savior. I know that if we are faithful to the end we WILL live with Him and Heavenly Father forever.

 

E** L** was also baptized in Bakersfield 5th ward this weekend! She is the daughter of S** L**.  We had worked with her for awhile and something seemed to finally click.  She wanted me to come back and baptize her... I was at least able to get pictures of her baptism and stop by this evening and congratulate her!  It is amazing how much the gospel can change someone when they allow the spirit to work in them.

 

No one could ever break M** D**'s testimony, so satan broke his leg instead. He had a compound fracture on his ankle while working on his truck in Florida.  We have been praying for him as much as possible and thought we wouldn't be seeing him for awhile.  When most people would be angry at God for something like this... M** clearly recognized his answer from God that being a truck driver is not in is plan.  He is going to be back in Palmdale this week and has already asked if he can wrap a plastic bag around his leg so he can still get baptized.  I wish you could read the texts he sends us... If this man wrote a book on following God, it would be a best seller!

 

Alma and I have the same wish

 

Alma 29:1-2

 

 1 O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!

 2 Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.

 

I love you all and hope you had a Merry Christmas and will have a Happy New Year!

 

Shout Out to Daphne Ballantyne! Congrats on giving a gift to the Savior for Christmas! My mom sure loves you! I'm excited to get to know you and your husband!  Thank you for your example!

 

Shout Out to my one and only Nana Banana! Happy Birthday! The world would be a different place without you.  You save the world one shake and one hug at a time!  I can't believe you still look 40!:)

 

Love Elder Crandall the Vandal