Elder Max Barnaby: The Lord Leads His Work (Matei Area, Week 2)

I am somewhere over the rainbow!!

Gorgeous, right? Wish you could see it in person.

This week was amazing, if you all want to know. It was....I don't know if I can even describe how learn. I found this week, though, that this is truly the Lord's work; He lead it this week, not us.

amazing it was. Not only am I on this completely beautiful island, I'm blessed with wonderful people to work with. This week was fantastic, we found eight new people to teach - none of them were related, they were all individuals. And almost all of them are really interested in the Church. In Fiji, it's really easy to share with everyone, because they're all already Christians. It's harder to find the ones that really want to

Cool service - raising a garage!

Examples: He placed so many people in our path this week for us to meet and teach. We found out that one of the people who was coming regularly to church wasn't a member - even the members thought he was a member! His name's Alosio, we're really excited to teach him. Hopefully it will all work out wonderful for him. Other people were relatives of members and recent converts, who were just waiting there and willing to hear our message. All we had to do is follow the commandment to "open your mouth" (see D&C 33:8-10). Another example: I've been given so much courage to just speak to people this week, it's definitely been from the Lord.

Way pretty - lots of scenic shots this week

I've learned this week that through obedience, blessings are truly made manifest. The Lord God of Heaven and Earth truly owns everything in the universe - everything, that is, except one thing: you. He created your spirit and body and has a plan for you, but he gave you the ability to make choices on your own. That is agency. He gave it to all of us, so that we could choose the right or the wrong, the good or the bad, or just the better or the best. The thing is, when we choose the best, which is to follow our Heavenly Father and His Son, we are far from restricted; in fact, our horizons become endless. When we are obedient, the power of the Almighty God is manifest. He can direct our paths, He can bless us and help us to bless others. He knows perfectly what is best for us - why not tap into that power? He invites us, even implores us to do so. Christ said that, "If [we] love [Him], keep [His] commandments." (John 14:15)

This was so much fun. It's just in the middle

of a settlement, no reason, just fun.

It's a wonderful truth - as we are obedient, we not only show our love for Him, blesses us with His power and knowledge. As King Benjamin says in the Book of Mormon, "And now, in the first place, he hath created you, and granted unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him. And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast?" (Mosiah 2:23-24)

Some native music :)

I love the Lord, and I know that He loves me and you. Matei Area is starting to pick up. Things are looking up. One little girl we're teaching, whose older siblings are members, is excited for her baptism next month. That's why I'm here: To do the Lord's will to bring happiness to his children - even the little ones. And me, too :)

Loloma levu mai vei au,

Elda Barnaby