The Labyrinth in our area!

This week we have been doing so good in the "achievement" part of missionary work! We have been able to see a ton of blessings this week!

We helped the Durhams move out of their apartment this week. It was super chaotic. I am so glad we helped them because they were struggling to get out of there! They are an awesome family though. I wish them luck in St. George!

We got back in touch with our investigator, Ember. We were able to teach her a lesson in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.....kinda, she mostly went off and had questions about the Word of Wisdom. We decided to veer off of our planned lesson and answer her questions. She was really impressed with our code of health that we follow. She agrees with most of it, but we think she is kinda shady on the weed part of things. It was awesome to feel our words being placed in our mouths of what to say. Plus, on top of that, we had Bro. Jordan with us and he is an awesome teacher and really knows how to bear a powerful testimony! We invited her to baptism....and she... drummmmmm roooooollllllll please............................. rejected the invitation. So close! She told us that she wasn't ready for that commitment right now. Brother Jordan then layed down one of the most solid testimonies about baptism ever! He being a convert himself, was just amazing to feel as he bore that testimony. I know Ember felt something, we will just have to see if she acts on it!

We also completed our second Festival of finding!! It was a blast! We did it on Christmas Eve and did another 7 hours! We did awesome the first two hours and found a family in the Hylebos area! So freak yeah! Then we went and had lunch at L&L and then suddenly I had a raging bloody nose and spilt aids all over my chicken, so I guess I wanted my chicken raw!!? 

After lunch we went down to the 308th building so we could start our next shift. This time I went up to Star Lakes area with Elder Jackson. We start tracting and the first house we knocked yelled at us and said that we were Soliciting for our Church. So I replied with, "I do not think that word means what you think it means!" 

They closed the door in our faces. A bit later I suddenly had the grievous urge to use the toilet, so we hightailed it to the car and told the other Elders, that we need to go now! They got back to the car and we flew to the church and I bolted inside and made it just in time. We swapped again for the last shift. This time I went with Elder Greenfield, we tracted about 5 houses and then I got another bloody nose! So that was a great day! 

Christmas Eve and Christmas day were both awesome. Lots of love felt and awesome food. Loved seeing the family!  That is always fun!

Love you all and have a great new years!

Elder R.K. Northrup

(Note from Mom... I may or may not have gotten carried away with taking pictures of Elder Northrup while skyping!)

He was describing his woes about the Washington Weather.  (Not a fan of the rain.)

Famly Photo December 25, 2016

See you next time!

Hiding and Finding

This week has been pretty good in the fact that we are doing a lot better at teaching on the spot. This makes me really happy because then it will allow us to find more people and get new investigators!

We went to Chateau Rainier this week. It is just a apartment complex in the bottom most part of area, which means we have to drive a quite a few miles. I hate wasting miles! Anyways we got there and were going through the potentials we had down there, when a miracle happened! We knocked on this potentials door whose name was Remi, but suddenly the person transformed before our eyes into this lady name Nita! We taught her about prayer, prayed with her, and we got a return appointment! We totally were blessed with a new investigator!

We also did a thing that President Rasmussen has called the Frigid Fabulous Federal Way Festival of Finding. It was really good! We went finding/contacting/tracting from 10am to 5pm! My first shift I went with Elder Mortenson to Jovita Creek. We went finding and got 4 potentials for the Jovita Creek Elders! Afterward I went to Dash Point alongside Elder Jolley and we lived it up, but sadly didn't find anyone. Then my last shift I went with Elder Jones! He and I had some great adventures while we were together and Elder Jones was laughing the whole time. Low and behold we were able to find a new investigator for the Dolloff Lake Elders! It was a great success. The only downside was nobody was found for our area so that was a little disappointing. Oh well though, we just need to be patient!

Well that was the jest of our week. I love you all and know this church is true. Study and read the scriptures because they are what brings us to a knowledge of the truth.

See ya later!

Elder R.K. Northrup

Elder Jackson and I on exchanges last week.... Sorry, I look a bit... preoccupied!

Christmas Caroling with most of the district.  Top to bottom, left to right...
Elders Jackson, Mortensen, Delp and Northrup.  Hermanas Jorgensen and Yost

Temples

This week has been totally bunk. We did work hard but we weren't able to get very many teaching appointments. 

We did teach a lot of members though and that was a blast, and kinda of weird. Let me tell you about the weird lesson we had. 

So we had dinner with a member family. The Brother is a complete Savage! He is super funny. I am not sure what to think of his wife though. Anyways we had dinner with them and I was eating dessert. Meanwhile, Elder Delp was teaching them about the Temples and how Bishop Odom has invited everyone in the ward to be a Temple going people. Well, we challenged them to do that. The sister then told us (and I quote) "I don't really like the Temple." At that moment I just about spit the ice cream in my mouth all over the table, I was so astonished!!! My eyes were as wide as they could possibly go! We quickly bust out the blessings associated with going to the Temple. We re-extended the invitation to go to the Temple a little more this year. He accepted and she told us she would considerate it!

Alrighty then!

Sadly we weren't able to meet with Ember because she has been busy working. We are praying and hoping we will be able to catch her next week.

We did get to teach Brother Irby. He is so awesome!  He basically just talks and teaches himself when we are over with him. I love listening to him because he is a great guy that just wants to have a good life.

I also did an exchange with the Dolloff Lake Elders. I went with Elder Jackson. He is a studdly missionary. Love him to death. We got along really great! I laughed basically the entire exchange, plus we were able to teach two Less Actives. It was awesome. What I learned from him though is I need to do a lot better when I am saying my prayers.  When Elder Jackson was praying, it was with so much faith that it felt like we were going to be teaching people the rest of the day and all we had to do was step outside. So I have made it a goal to work on my prayers.

I also was able to do my first baptismal interview. It was really cool.

I've been reading Mosiah and I just finished the record of the people of Zeniff and their are so many interesting teachings in those chapters. I challenge you all to read them. 

Well, I love you all and to all a good night!

Elder R.K. Northrup

P.S.  Today my Grandpa and Grandma Thayne went into the MTC.  We now have 5 missionaries serving right now in our family.

Progression

Well this week has been super good. I am a little annoyed with the wet cold feeling right now, but that can't be helped.

Anyways, we were able to teach Ember twice this week. It was great!  We taught her the Book of Mormon (the first lesson) with Brother Clark and we challenged to read it everyday. She accepted and is currently reading it with her daughter as well. So Hooray!!!  We might be able to bring them both to the waters of baptism!

The second lesson we had was on Sunday, well we started running into some problems because we couldn't find anybody to come out with us........until like the last second we were able to recruit Thomas Perry to come with us. We were shouting for joy!!!! We had the lesson on the Plan of Salvation.  She ask a lot of questions and we answered them to the best we could and invited her to read the pamphlet that we gave her and asked her if she would come to church. She told us she would like to but, she works nights and doesn't even get home until around 7:30 in the morning. We did our best to tell her of the blessings associated with coming to church. However, we think it is going to be a lot easier when the times switch in January. We are currently working on inviting her to be baptized.  Pray for her and that invitation.

Other than that it has just been a week of us really working with the members. We had some council from Brother Angelo that maybe if we focused harder on the messages we give to members and custimize them to what they need.  We then might see more fruit in the future.

Well I love all of you, pray that we will be able to find more investigators!

Elder R.K. Northrup

Ahhh Nards!

Well, this week is going to a super short email. Why you might ask because literally nothing was accomplished this week. We reported complete ZERO's!! Holiday's man!

We did have a great Thanksgiving Day, we had the activity with the Mission and that was a blast. I had been looking forward to that like all year. Then we ate dinner at the Jordan's they are super awesome, plus Brother Jordan is an awesome cook. 

The next day I was so sore that I could barely move without hurting. That pretty much stunk. 

The next few days we worked real hard but just nothing was happening. So we decided to just start making a real effort to make appointments with people members and non-members. We now have full week this week. It should be really good.

Transfer calls happened and Elder Delp and I will be staying in Hylebos. However the thing I really didn't appreciate was that I got a call from the Assistant calling me to be a District Leader...........well crap! I really don't like this idea at all. However on the down and up sides we are losing Elder Mitton, but we are gaining Elder Perkins and Elder Jolley!

Well, love you all and to all a great December.

Elder R.K. Northrup

Sooooo Savage!

This week has been real good. Super meeting filled week which was kinda a bummer because it limited our proselyting time.

Well we had district meeting and for the 4th time Elder Steiner and Elder Jones weren't able to make it. So we had to go to Elder Sirrine's district. I am really done with going to other peoples district meetings. 

On the good side though we were able to go have lunch with the Korean Elders. We got some Korean food. That stuff is so good!

After lunch we went and taught a potential that scheduled an appointment with us. We were able to teach her the restoration, and we invited her to read the pamphlet and truly pray about the message that it contains and the truth of it within. She then said she would. She also talked about her concern about church. She told us that she didn't really feel comfortable about coming to church because she had nothing to wear and no friends to sit with. We did our best to reassure her that nobody will judge her and that next time we meet would bring someone she could make friends with. She told us that she would call us the next time she wants to meet. Her name is Lisa. Be keeping her in your prayers.

Wednesday we had follow up new missionary training. I have learned that meetings make me really antsy when it nears the end of them. Especially because meetings for us never seem to end. After that we went to the DI with the Lakota Creek Elders they are so awesome, love them to death.

That was basically all that happen that day.

On Thursday we had you guessed another meeting, Ugh. On the bright side it was with Elder Gaye of the Seventy. He address us with so many cool stories and insights. I got so many great things that I can use when teaching. It will be legendary. Plus it was good to see Elder Perkins again. 

Then we went on Exchanges and this exchange was probably the funnest exchange I have been on in a long time. I went to Lakota Creek with Elder Jones. He is so SAVAGE! We were literally busting a gut our entire exchange.

It started with my bike jumping and attacking with its handle bars while I was trying to flip it upside down. Then we got back and tried to teach their apartment complex security guard. Then we laughed and joked around and went to bed for the night. In the morning, Elder Jones made me the best pancakes I have ever had! We then went down to the beach front of their area and we started hitting some rocks with some sticks and Elder Jones tossed one in the area and it hit me right in the teeth. We both lost it again at that point. We then did a ton of biking around, which....I can't believe I am saying this but I actually enjoyed it.

We came back for lunch and I freaking destroyed their kitchen, on accident. BBQ sauce was everywhere. It looked like a murder seen. Then Elder Jones died laughing again. Then later that night about 8:50 so we were going back to the apartment so we took a shortcut through the playground and Elder Jones jokingly told me to go get on the duck teeter totter so of course I did and I rocked all the way back so he comes behind me gives me a push and I fly forward and face plant onto the wood chips and the duck came back and smacked him in the knee so we both ended up on the ground next to each other moaning in pain and laughing... HAHAHA it was so funny! 

On Sunday we got a new Stake Presidency and or just release Bishop of one week was called as the New Stake President. He will be awesome!

Well thats all that happened this week, I love you all!

Elder R.K. Northrup

The Enlightenment of this area is come to pass

The week has been so good, I have plenty to say! Wish I could just tell you about it in person.

Anyways we had a great start to week! We were able to regain our connections with our recent convert Bro. Irby. He is awesome and really open. Just a really solid dude. He told us what he had been struggling with the past few weeks and finally took a step back, and wanted to get back on the straight and narrow path. We were able to talk to him about repentance. He told us about an analogy that he had heard once. That Satan is a rubber band and we are with in that rubber band. Then he told us that as we try to get out of Satan's hold it gets harder and harder to leave. However there are other people within the rubber band with are also pushing behind you as well and that is God supporting our efforts to escape the clutches of Satan. It was really cool to see him again trying his best to follow the teachings that Christ has layed before us.

Then on Tuesday we were able to go teach a non-member that we had dinner with. Her name is Billy. She is basically a Dry Mormon. Nobody knows what her hold up is? Which is weird because she helped most of her family join the Church. Oh well I hope she will make the steps towards Baptism and the path towards eternal life. 

On Wednesday we were able to meet with our new investigator Ember. She is so awesome. She is already interested in reading the Book of Mormon. Teaching the Restoration was so cool, she was listening to what we said so well. We even asked her to pray afterward and she did it was so good. She even asked Heavenly Father that if he sent us to her to help her recognize that and to help her truly understand what we teach her. It was such an awesome prayer. Totally one of the best missionary moments ever. I have high faith that she will read the book of mormon and pray about the truth it contains. Pray everyone that she will, so that Satan doesn't get his grimy hand on her.

We were able to teach brother Irby again and this time we talked to him about doing the right and how God will guide us if we let him back to the correct path, even when we do something wrong he is already doing his best to prepare us to return. It was truly an amazing discussion. 

On Sunday we had one of the weirdest talks that I have ever heard before in my life, but that is a better story in person. The rest of the sunday went great. Always nice to partake of the sacrament and renew our covenants. 

Anyways it has been a really great week. I love all of you!

Elder R.K. Northrup

Operation Antioch

My "Tag" in Hylebos Ward

Well I bet you are wondering why I have titled the email this way. Well, Elder Delp and I have been struggling just finding people to teach, so we came up with this operation. It is to go through every potential we have in our area book and annihilate the un-interested investigators. We are currently only doing this with this place called Park 16 because that place isn't the most promising when it comes to New investigators. We have been doing really well with this and have gotten some information for possible return appointment times. Which is freaking incredible so now we have the opportunity to start teaching people again.

We were also able to regain ties with our recent convert, Bro. Irby. He had been struggling the last couple months and was prompted by the spirit to call us. He told us that he had really faltered but that he wanted to come back and get started again. We taught him a ton about the blessings of the Atonement and he really understands the importance of Christ's Sacrifice for us and that these trials that we go through is a way to refine us and help us to become like Christ! He is awesome, we are going over today to teach him again!

An amazing blessing happened this week. We got a super solid referral from the Spanish Sisters! Her name is Ember Bailey and she seems so golden. The Sister's told us that they were tracting and she just let them in and they talked about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. She even knew about the Angel Moroni! I was so jumping up and down like a crazy person!! We went and saw her yesterday and we have an appointment with her on Wednesday at 4PM. Everyone pray that she will remember and meet with us that day and at that time. Thanks!!

Also we have been doing a lot of walking. I have discovered that Elder Delp loves the rain! Which makes absolutely no sense at all. I honestly can't even fathom liking the rain!! So it was really weird to hear someone say as we were getting completely drenched that they love it when this happens. Which gave me the exact opportunity I needed for a face-palm!!

Anyways that was are week. We are very thankful for all of your prayers! Love you all!

Elder R.K. Northrup

Everything is in--- SLOW MOTION!!!!

Well this area is still dry and well this is definitely a new test of my patience! 

Most of this week was a lot of really sad news with a few good things. Gloria basically dropped us.  The reason is Satan and his evil tools! Thanks for nothing! This week is probably going to be a pretty bland email. 

We did all we could to find people this week and we were able to get a few potentials. Their names are Mike and Isaiah please pray everyone that they will meet with us. We have really good feelings for both of them.

This week we also had our Halloween party and Elder Delp and I got to be judges for the Chili Cook off. That was super fun! The funny thing was when the 5 of us where judging we all agreed that a certain chili was super good but then everyone besides me decide that the one we agreed on should not be the winner! So that was an interesting decision in the end. 

On Saturday we were able to teach Bryer Jordan her last Recent Convert lesson and now she is home free! Plus, we also we found out that we are eating at the Jordan's on Thanksgiving. It is going to be superb. Why, because Bro. Jordan is an awesome cook! 

Sunday was good. I saw one of my old seminary teachers at the Mietus's house so that was kinda fun. We also got the sacrament which is always a delight! Ata wouldn't answer his door which is kinda upsetting. Keep praying for him.

Other than that not much else happened. Love all of you guys and pray for you daily.

Elder R.K. Northrup

FINALLY!!!!

This week has been quite eventful. A lot has happen and it has been really Glorious!

I would like to announce my new companion Elder Delp. He is from Tallahassee, Florida. He was a semi-professional pod-caster before the mish. He is a complete nerd, which means we get along great. Plus, his joy for missionary work is awesome! It has been a pleasure to train him thus far.

Elder Delp and Me... don't look at the hair.

Anyways, to welcome Elder Delp to the area. The Millers fed him a Green Dinner. He actually had no idea about the joke until we pointed it out to him. It was totally funny.

On Thursday we had New Missionary Training, which was great. I had a ton of fun and learned quite a bit about how to become a great trainer. I am loving every minute of it. It has seriously been such a blast.

On Friday we did weekly planning because we weren't able to Thursday. Then we did a lot of missionary work. While we were finding that day we ran into a African American guy with a thick accent. Everytime we tried to teach him about the Gospel he would cut us off with, "Wrong, my understanding...." then tell us what he thought. It was pretty funny. Now we use that line all of the time. For example, Elder Delp asked me what my favorite flavor of Shasta was? In the middle of my answer, he says, "Wrong, my understanding..." We got a good kick out of that.

Then on Saturday morning we got to meet with the General Authorities. We met with Bishop Waddell, Elder Call, Elder Clayton, and Elder Rasband. I will just tell you how I felt during the meeting... IT WAS ENOUGH TO MAKE ELDER NORTHRUP CRY!!!! That's how awesome it was. I was filled with so much information. I was enjoying every minute of it. I totally wished I could give each of them a big hug. Apparently, that was like Illegal or something along those lines. I will have to send you a picture of the notes I took next week. 

Afterward we went on a blitz with our Zone Leaders. It was a great blitz. I went with Elder Saydyk and Elder Delp went with Elder Covington. On my side we didn't achieve much success in the sense that nobody we talked to was interested. However, Elder Delp and Elder Covington were able to find a lady named Gloria and taught her the Restoration and invited her to be baptized. She accepted the invitation. Can I get whoop whoop!

Sunday was just average. However, is always good to feel your burdens lifted after partaking of the Sacrament.

Then we went had a lesson with Nadia and David. Well, instead David taught us. He is incredible. He drilled into me how DEEPLY important Charity/love are. I literally was taking notes the whole time. I am going to be doing a lot more to improve my prayers.

Well, I love all of you!

Elder R.K. Northrup 

No Elder, I am your Father!

Federal Way Zone

Well this week was good with a side of what the crap just happened?

The week had been going kinda slow until we got to Thursday. We finished weekly planning and then we went on blitz with the Assistants. Elder Nelson came with me which was cool because I got to be with him for his last few proselyting hours. He was a great missionary. He taught me a lot in that couple hours. 

During the blitz Elder Nelson and I where able to find two new investigators one through talking to people and another through a referral. The lessons we had with them on the spot were incredible, completely spirit filled. It was really a joy to get to know Elder Nelson and have him share with me some of his experiences. I also learned from him that nobody is perfect but, as we strive to be righteous then we are perfect. I thought that was really profound and I will be doing my best to live by that principle as much as possible.

Well, we went to go teach our new investigators later that week and they both just blew up in our faces. We were both like "what the crap!" Well, the first one told us that they were just not ready for the gospel because our expectation are too high for them. We testified of the truth of the message we have and gave them a Plan of Salvation pamphlet.

The next one was way crazier because she was living in a Motel room and was kinda just there to get financial aid. The problem was our Bishop was out of town that weekend. We did all that we could in that moment and paid for one more night at the Motel but we couldn't do anything else besides that. I felt so bad that I couldn't do anymore than teach her the gospel. I mean that is all I have been called to do. We sadly had to drop her as well until she becomes more financially sound. That was a big stress on the ole' mind. 

So once again we are back to our single investigator.

Now for the news that you have all been waiting for.

Elder Lewis has been transfered to the Eastern side of the mission. 

.........Ladies and Gentleman I will be training a brand spanking new missionary. Yes, I will be his Father. Thus the title of the email.

Well, I love you all and have a great week.

Elder R.K. Northrup

I (Elder N's Mom) received this picture via text tonight from Sis. Mietus.  She let us know that Elder Northrup is training Elder Delp from Tallahassee Florida.  (I also noticed he got his hair buzzed.  He wanted to hide it from us because he thinks it looks terrible.  I think he looks so much more like his dad.)  I also think he looks so HAPPY!  

He definitely is growing into a man! 

Faster than a ROCK

Well we have finally made some headway. So I am going to say Hip-hip hooray!

This week has been pretty great. We were able to get our goal for Recent Converts/Less Active lessons. However the lame side of this is Tony decided to take a vacation with the family and not tell us. Totally had small panic attack....my thoughts were like, "You can't leave, we haven't helped you quite smoking yet." Oh well he will be back soon. 

On the other side of things. We have totally gotten to see Norah a couple times this week which was awesome because she was able to come back to church the other day. So heck to the yeah. The problem with her though is she just quit her job at the DI which was her only source of income and so we are now praying for a miracle. The other family that needs prayers are Nadia and David, so please bless them as well.

We were also able to go give this Less Active member in the hospital a blessing and that was an awesome experience. We got there and got to know her a little bit. She is actually in a different stake entirely. Which was kinda interesting. We were able to give her the blessing and wish her the best and then we left. I always have a good feeling of being able to exercise this sacred priesthood that God has given it us. It is such an honor to be able to hold it. 

This week we were having a pretty okay Saturday. Well we came to a point in the day where we couldn't think of anything else to do. We decided together that we should head down to Chateau Rainier and see if we could maybe catch Ata. We hadn't seen him in about a month and we were strongly trying to get a hold of him. When we got down there and knocked on their door, nobody answered......................for a long time. Then the door opened and we were welcomed in and got to chat with Ata and Vangy and Michael. We also read out of the book of Mormon, and invited Ata to read the second chapter of 1 Nephi. He totally accepted. We now have our investigator back which was super exciting.

Well that was all that happened that week. I love you all. Read the scriptures always.

Elder R.K. Northrup

Conference Weekend

Well, this week we're still not making much headway. 

We weren't able to find anyone new, but the goal that we have set is to hand out, to every person that we see, something from the church's resources. That way we have more of a chance of getting people to act on something.

In the middle of this week, Elder Lewis got sick and we were told to stay inside and get some rest. So I went and started doing a more in-depth update of the Area book. I did a lot of cleaning out old investigators and called a couple potentials. Low and Behold we got a new investigator ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... For the Arizona missionaries. Which was great and super lame at the same time because she would have been a solid investigator. So I only did half a fist pump. 

Luckily, Elder Lewis start feeling better around Thursday, so we went contacting in the Hylebos Wetlands park. We didn't find very many people, but we did take some cool pictures while we were there. After contacting we went and did service with the Mietus's and we talk to Sister Mietus about having adventures. Which was a pretty fun conversation. 

We then went and saw Tony and Bryer on Friday.  They are both doing well. We had Dinner at Bryer's house and I got to eat my second stake ever on my mission. It was pleasing to the stomach and was enjoyed throughout all the land. Afterward we went to Tony's and we are on the continued slow process of quitting his smoking addiction.

Then Conference was the entire day for us on Saturday. I loved Elder Holland's talk on being a great Hometeacher. It has inspired me to be a great one after my mission. I also loved Elder Oaks' talk because of how awesome it was on how members can do missionary work. Those were my favorite ones this time around. None the less it was a great time of listening to the apostolic messages.

We also had my pants get ripped down the middle during conference and our apartment was flooded during the Sunday morning session.  A pipe broke above us.  Luckily nothing got ruined... So those were some fun experiences.

Love you all.

Elder R.K. Northrup

BBBBaptism, extra B's for extra Baptisms

Well this week has probably been our slowest week. We were only able to teach 3 lessons which is kinda a bummer. However, I cannot dwell on the past!

We had a small training with the zone on Tuesday to go over the missions goal of 444 baptism next year. President and Sister Rasmussen came in and gave a bunch of information of what we can do to achieve this goal. Randomly in the middle of the discussion the zone started bashing on the Zone Leaders again. This created a really awkward situation for President, who told us that maybe we should have a one-on-one chat in private with certain companionship's in the zone. Which is what they did. When they took us aside. They asked the questions of how they can be better Zone Leaders and how they can help us be better missionaries. I didn't really have anything against them in the first place, so I kinda just sat off to the side. Once Elder Lewis got out what he wanted to say, they accepted that and are now trying to go forward with more love towards the zone. However that wasn't what the other missionaries took it like at all. The were all like, "The Zone Leaders are just trying to stand their ground and they don't want to do anything to change." I completely disagreed with that and I told them that I think that they are really trying to be better Leaders. 

We had interviews with President this week. So I decided my question was going to be "how I can help make this zone become united again?" He talked to me for a bit about the whole situation and said he would probably be talking to certain companionships/missionaries about it. Then we talked about how perception of things is everything. Meaning, if someone perceives something one way and that way is negative then, nothing works together.  I totally agreed with him on that. He then said his advice to me was to keep doing what I was doing and help the zone when and where I can.

Then later in the week we finally got to teach our recent convert. His name is Bro. Irby. He is awesome. He is really just a power-house convert, but then again most are. When you teach him he just someone that you can feel has really come to have a testimony of Jesus Christ and that is truly amazing. We were also able to teach Tony. He going through some rough things at work so I shared with him the story of the Stripling Warriors. Then taught the principle of trusting in God and everything will turn out alright. Of course we did all of this while he personal trained me on the bench press. Totally going to be shredded after this area.

Then the main event happened on Saturday... the day of Meuoy's baptism! We got picked up by Bro. Ramsey around 5:00PM and headed off to good ole' Garrison Creek. When we arrived I got to see my old companion again, Elder Perkins. Plus a bunch of my other friends in the ward and the Renton Zone. I love all of them so much.  Meuoy came in and I could only smile at him. When it came time to baptize him, Meuoy and I entered the font and I did everything correctly but then his knee came out of the water! Which means that was "B" number one. Next round his knee came up again, "B" number two. Then we had a three-peat, which makes "B" number three. However on the fourth time it work out, performing the complete "Baptism." Can I get a "Heck Ya"! When Bishop ask Meuoy how he felt, he replied with, "I feel brand new." That was an awesome feeling of spiritual intensity during that moment. In the end it was awesome to be able to have the pleasure of being the one to baptize Meuoy.

On Sunday, a couple things happened......We have a NEW ward mission leader. It is now Bro. Price. He is going to be super great, I can just tell. He is a pretty humble guy and I am looking forward to working with him. Bro. Mietus is now the Ward Clerk. 

Anyways that was the greatness of the week. Love all of you.

Elder R.K. Northrup

Messages I received after getting these pictures from Brother Ramsey.

Your son was in High Spirits

And he seems very focused on the work

He said he missed our Ward he had a lot of first there

He realized that he doesn't have a lot of time left on his mission time is feeling very short

He had to baptize the guy 4 times tonight the water didn't get filled up very high so it was hard

Oh goodness!!!

How did Meuoy take it?

Like a champ