Hello world! This is it! My last weekly email as a full time missionary! It sure has been a blast to be able to share the Gospel! I know that we are here to have JOY! One of my favorite lines in "Preach My Gospel" (we study from, along with the scripture) is "As your understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ grows, your desire to share the Gospel will increase." I have truly seen that- and as I have shared the Gospel, I have felt joy that I hadn't before. From seeing someone connect with Heaven in prayer for the first time, to feeling the Spirit with them and seeing them enter the waters of baptism and work towards the temple, has been such a blessing and a joy.
On Friday I had the opportunity to go to the LA temple one last time before I head home! It is always such a great experience going to the temple.
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| Departing Elders |
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| President Henrie and Elder Martin |
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| Elder Haws and Elder Martin |
On Sunday in Sacrament meeting, it was a very good, spiritual testimony meeting! To end the night, I went to visit a couple families that have had a big impact on my mission and my life for sure!
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| The Mai- Reynoza family- they joined the church in December 2016 |
I love this Gospel. I know that it can change lives. I have seen it so much. I know the joy that comes from within the Gospel as we recognize our identity as children of a loving Father in Heaven and the plan that He has for each and every one of us. I KNOW the Book of Mormon is true. I know that Jesus is the Christ and that through Him, we can be saved from death- both physically and spiritually. I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, and was called of Him, to restore the Church of Jesus Christ back on the earth, with the Priesthood Authority to administer the ordinances necessary for salvation. What a blessing it has been to share this good news with others, and gain a stronger testimony of it for myself.
I love all of you that have helped me and supported me along this path!
Elder Colby Martin
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| Eric Aubrey, Elder Martin and Elder Ybarguen |
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| Elder Hale came to visit, forgot his church pants |
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| No shoes, no shirt...on in California |
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| Big Snake...and a puddle of blood. |
"When the focus of our lives is on Jesus Christ and His Gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening- or not happening- in our lives." Russell M. Nelson
