I am so excited for Jonny and Emily. They are going to have a fun life together. I'm so happy for them!
I have been in Johnstown for about 4 months now and I am dead tired. This place has drained me. I can't even explain it. But I love this place to death. The people here are great, the members are amazing. But the work here is so tiring. (And the town is tiny). But there's always miracles. I came to this place and looked at area book and there was only 1 person being taught that was progressing and no one had accepted the invitation to be baptized. It was dead. Flash forward to today: we have 3 people that have accepted the invitation to be baptized and have accepted a baptismal date. JOHNSTOWN IS ALIVE! And here is the amazing thing: none of those people were found as a direct result of us doing something. I fully believe that we were blessed because we were working hard but it wasn't our hard work that caused it. They were miracles. The Lord did it, not us. And that's so cool. So let me tell you about these people!
Jared was found through the members. He is dating a member of the ward and absolutely loves church. He has changed so much and is the most prepared person for the gospel I have ever met. (Okay maybe tied with Jordan and Teilani). He has even seen the change in himself and he loves it. He has come with the ward to help people move twice just because he enjoys service more than anything else! He is becoming so Christlike and it is amazing to see. The grace of Jesus Christ is changing him. We just share the message.
Ryan came up to us in our apartment complex last week! We didn't say anything to him he just started talking to us. He let us know that he has just recently started to believe in God again and seeing us walking around was a sign to him that he needed to act on his faith. He has a true desire to repent and be baptized. Again, we did nothing, it was all Jesus Christ. We have been meeting with him a lot lately.
Ash found us through Facebook and another member! It's a crazy story that I think I have already told. But it's still a miracle. She told us this week that she knows everything is true and she doesn't feel the peaceful feeling she has been feeling anywhere except for at church, when she reads the Book of Mormon and when she meets with us. Her faith in Jesus Christ has grown so much.
I know that this work isn't my work. I know that there is nothing that I could have done these past 4 months in Johnstown to have miracles happen. It is all through Jesus Christ. We are instruments in His hands. He has placed us here for a reason and He has blessed us immensly. I am excited for the future of Johnstown.
Oh and also, we had an awesome missionary fireside this Sunday. All the missionaries from the mission were there and all the members were invited as well. It was all about member missionary work and doing easy things to invite your friends. It was awesome. I got to see my missionary friends too. I got a picture with Elder Goode (he was in my MTC district) and got to say goodbye to him before he goes off to the Cincinatti Mission. I also got to see my bestie Elder Morse.
I love you Mom! Thank you for all you do! And I would love for Dad to send me his talk. Have a great time at the wedding!
Your son,
Elder Collier
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