I just had the chance to go back and read all the letters I need to respond to. Some of them are from over a month ago! Man, I can't believe I've been out that long, almost two months now.
So much has happened. Not just on my end either it sounds like. It's weird to see the difference of what's going on there since I've been home to now. It's reassuring. I'm glad to hear Rachel warmed up to you haha. Well, It's so good to hear all about you, it makes me laugh, and smile.
Since I am usually so short on time with my emails, I'll try to pack in as much stories and information as I can. You asked how Kirtland was and how my flight went. First off, my flight was good. The first one I was able to relax, read for most of it, look out the window, talk to the elders, eat some pretzels. Overall it wasn't too bad. I got a little warm inside from the descent, but not bad. Then we had to run. The terminal we were supposed to be at was as far away as possible, so we barely made it in time, and we really were running most of the way. There was one part of the airport with neon all over the walls like lightning, dimly lit with soft almost eerie music playing. But we made it to our plane, which was less than half the size of the other one. We were taking off from Detroit, so pretty much we went up and right back down over Lake Erie. That was really cool to see, although for the most part I was looking straight ahead and trying to get the nonexistant air to work. After about 20 minutes we landed in Cleveland. President took us to his house where we were given a lot of information and papers, of which I am still trying to sort out. Then he handed out the mail.
The next day was Kirtland. Let me tell ya, there is a lot about Kirtland I never knew. The first stop was the Kirtland temple. Still it stands, as it was nearly 200 years ago, beautiful and bright. We were able to take pictures of the outside, so I snapped a couple. I'll figure out a way to get them to you. Inside we met with a representative from the Community of Christ church who owns the temple, and C Anderson, the man general authorities turn to whenever they have a question about Kirtland. At first I thought that was kind of funny, but after that day, there is so much going on with Kirtland now. They showed us the Priesthood rooms, where the quorums were instructed. The pews and stand are still the same as they were back then. Very little restoration has needed to be done. From there we went upstairs even further, to the upper rooms of the temple where the ordinances were established and where both the Savior and the Father stood at least four different times. We read several of the revelations received there, and sadly I didn't write them down. We headed downstairs to the general assembly area, and like at the dedication (sec109) we sang the Spirit of God. Somehow I ended up leading the music. Standing in front of the pew where Jesus Christ, Moses, Elias and Elijah stood, I looked up and saw the two huge windows, as the sun poured in. It was amazing. One day we'll have to go and visit, mom. I want to take you all there. I've heard there will be a big conference around Christmas time where we go to Kirtland and sing and other great stuff. After that we headed over to the Newel K Whitney store. In the store, C Anderson told us about all the prophecies of Kirtland. He pointed out that Kirtland is one of the places to be built up before the second coming. The first promise was SLC, which has had and is having its time. Missouri and Jerusalem are to come. But Kirtland's time is now. The work here is making leaps and bounds. Most of the areas around Cleveland are baptizing weekly. New Castle, my area, is coming along, but I'll go more into that in a bit. After learning about all these prophecies that are now being fulfilled, we went into the School of the Prophets. As President told us of the revelations had in that room, read the stories of that room, he left us to commit ourselves.
I love it out here, this work is so exciting. Already I have seen a change in these people. The last couple days have seen my first baptismal commits. We have two investigators who decided to make this huge step. We are working with about six other families, some of them are pretty close. The members are starting to help us out more, coming out to teach with us and even visiting the investigators on their own. We are fed almost every night by less actives. So many of them have said they don't come to church because they didn't think anyone cared. We are teaching them about the blessings the temple brings. Temples are something that not many people understand around here. Only a handful of the active members have ever been, and most of those have only gone once. It is such a great thing to teach a family that has avoided church for 10 years, that they can be sealed to their wife/mom who has long since passed away. There is an investigator, one that has committed to baptism, whose brother is seeing the difference in her. He told us the first time we met him he didn't believe in God, or at least he didn't think he cared. But last night she told us, with tears in her eyes that her brother was asking questions and even said that he believed in Christ. And how much greater a blessing it was to tell her that as she is baptized, and as she lives her life, her brother will grow to have that same desire, as well as the rest of her family.
That is why I am out here. To declare repentance to the people, so that they might have joy, happiness and peace in this life and in the life to come.
So I guess that's it for now, I'm going to go make some more stories to tell you for next time. Tell Melissa thanks for the package, those cookies didn't last long at all.
Love,
Elder Newey
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