An Opportunity in Oakdale

Four of our elders from Denham Springs Zone stopped by the office today to drop off Elder White's bike that needs to be shipped home. Elder White will be released on Thursday with 4 other missionaries. And we only have 3 incoming missionaries. This will be a very small transfer. Well, the transfer won't be small, but the numbers coming and going will be.

From left to right, top to bottom, are Elder Taylor, Elder White, Elder Brown and Elder Decker. Just in case you're wondering, Elder Brown is 6'10".

In our office meeting this morning, Elder Murhula gave a spiritual thought on faith. Recently he was on exchanges and me a man who said he believed therefore he is saved. The Elders tried to explain to him that believing isn't all we need to do. We have to show it though our actions and in the way we live. He quoted Elder Kopischke, who was here last month, who said, "Learning by faith is learning by doing." Good comment!

President shared this story today about the Oakdale Elders. At Christmas last year, the elders and Elder and Sister Hastings participated in a community Christmas pageant. Nothing has actually come out of it, other than some nice friendships. At least, that's what we thought. Then, last week, a Pastor from another church invited Elder Barker and Elder Rush to speak to his congregation in 2 weeks--for 40 minutes! They asked the Pastor what he would like them to talk about and were told to speak on whatever the Spirit prompted them to say! Wow! I can hardly wait to find out how this plays out.