Week 6 back in Libreville: The Love I Have Made

 Bonjour amis et familles!


Here it is. One last letter from Elder May. 

MISSIONARY MOMENTS OF THE WEEK 

We've officially found someone who I know has been prepared to receive the restored Gospel. We had 2 amazing lessons with Diane this week. After teaching the Plan of Salvation and touching on baptism, I felt impressed to ask if once she gained a testimony of these things, she would choose to be baptized. She smiled and said, "Oui." No translation needed. She might find it hard to come to church so prayers would be appreciated.

Elder Kabuya and I have left our sector better than we found it for sure. Alphonse is progressing really well and will probably be baptized soon. He's been inviting everyone to our lessons so now we're teaching 3 of his sisters. Add that to François and we've got 5 of the 13 siblings. Oh, the wonderful seeds I've been planting!

Désirée got baptized on Saturday so I'm also a harvester. Sadly, I had to spend the morning at the immigration center for my exit visa so I missed the service. But I'm happy for her nonetheless. I got to witness the second half, her confirmation, on Sunday. I got teary-eyed singing How Firm a Foundation in French with these Gabonese Saints. The church is true! Everywhere!

FUNNY QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"His name is Eagle, his name is not 'good evening!'"

- Phréa again. She's the cutest little 6-year-old ever. Elder Matsuoka said 'bonsoir' to her cat and she reminded him that that wasn't his name. Also as a side-note: I'm gonna miss her mom's cassava leaves. They're delicious. 

SCRIPTURE/SPIRITUAL THOUGHT OF THE WEEK 

"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make."
- The Beatles, 'The End'

I could put a scripture here. 2 Timothy 4:7 comes to mind. But this might be more poetic and more 'Elder May.'
I have spent the last 2 years of my life loving the people of Louisiana, Gabon, and Cameroon. Sharing eternal truths with people who I never would have spoken to or met otherwise. Serving them in diverse ways. And all this love has just increased the love I take from God and Jesus Christ. The love I now can take from Them has increased just as my love for people has. That's what the Beatles mean here. I know that Jesus Christ knows and loves me, because of how I share and see His love in the lives of everyone I've met here.  I wouldn't have that relationship with Jesus Christ if I didn't serve a mission. We all have to show love for our neighbors if we want to take the love that God freely gives us, as the Primary song says.
The restored Gospel of Jesus Christ lets us create that personal relationship with Christ more than any other way. I know that to be true. If you want to feel His love, His joy, His happiness, keep this Gospel. Pray. Read the scriptures. Take the sacrament. Miracles will happen in your life and you will find true joy. 

It's been quite the ride. Catch me on the other side! Let's hang! Bring the gang!*

Je vous aime tous, pour toujours. 

Elder May

*might need to redevelop on my rapping skills. 











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