Bobby Flay

The baptism of Bobby on January 16, 2016

'Twas a week to remember in Portland like Bilbos 111th birthday.  We had a baptism!  We had a couple miracles at McDonald's and then a miracle at Burgerville.  I don't really know how or why the miracles seem to happen at worldly stores... But they nonetheless seem to occur weekly.  The Lord seems to work through my stomachs desires.  The story of McDonalds was really cool.  I was on exchanges with Elder Holt (from St George Utah). Where I have been many a times and he actually knows many people I have hung out with.  He knows a family that lives right down the street from my very home.  SMALL WORLD & we taught a YSA aged young man who studied Egyptian language and writing prior to our meeting... When we explained the origins of the BOM and the language it was written in he was quite intrigued.  He also studied the existence of the native Americans prior to the landing of Columbus and colonization.  Hearing about the Lamanites sparked a match inside his bosom as well (nice wording).  After that inspired gathering, our bladders were full to the brim.  Therefore, we stopped at the closest McDonald's for a little urine run.  Right as we walked in a young man who claimed "he was inactive for the last three years" walked right up to us and seemed to be looking for some advice.  He said he would commit to taking the discussions again from the local missionaries.  Well, after this, we naturally needed some hot cocoa with all the rain and all.  So we ordered some and the worker who took our order, wanted to know about our church and he wanted to exchange numbers to start taking the lessons too!  Apparently McDonald's is the place to be so buy more Big Macs everyone!   The story of Burgerville may just trump the McDonald's endeavor.  Saturday night we finished stopping by all those whom we planned for and found ourselves in a stupor of thought.  We offered a prayer looking for some guidance and found ourselves sitting in another stupor of thought... Then Elder Jewkes said "I'm a little hungry". I thought... SO AM I.  We started off towards Burgerville to get a shake not expecting a young man of YSA age to be on his 15 minute break from flipping burgers named Isaiah who studies the bible and has interest in our message.... YES we found a new investigator while getting a shake at Burgerville.  The Lord works through our stomachs!  Probably the most profound lesson I have learned is that you should always be ready to share the gospel.  Opportunities are not just available when you are out knocking doors ;). The best ones are the ones we don't expect.  Now for the baptism of Bobby!   Bobby asked me to dunk him into the waters of the font at the Portland stake center.  I LOVE BOBBY.  He calls us once or twice a day just to talk about the day and he wants pamphlets from us that he can share with his friends and neighbors.  His baptism was really cool and he stood up in the middle of the baptism and thanked everyone for coming.  He smiled with an eternal grin as he came out of the font.  Bobby is now dating a girl in the YSA award after one week of being a member.  We sorta... Kinda... Played match maker with him but THEY LOVE EACH OTHER ANYWAY.   He is a cook & loves to eat so we call him “Bobby Flay.” Okay last story for the week!  We were able to witness another baptism this past week as well.  I think I told you all about Ahmed before... He walked into our lesson with his niece and he asked to be baptized right on the spot.  He unfortunately was not a young single adult but who cares anyway?  All the same because I'm the end but we really wanted to teach him.  I don't know of many others with such enthusiasm.  During his baptismal service he yelled "amen to that" no less than ten times while the speakers addressed us about baptism and the Holy Ghost.  He yells praises to the Lord every chance he gets and he read the whole "Teachings of the Presidents:  Howard W Hunter" manual in a weekend.  This man is righteous.   Our whole zone is basically switching this transfer!  Elder Jewkes & I are staying here but at least half of our zone is leaving :(.  BUT, my very own son (meaning I trained him)  Elder JOHANSEN from the Parkers Landing area, back in the heat of the summer, will be serving in this zone!  My grandpa Elder Jewkes and my son Elder JOHANSEN are both serving with me now.  What a righteous posterity.

The baptism of Ahmed on January 16, 2016